Market Stall Selling and Sharpening Knives

Market shoppers, home cooks, gardeners, campers and visitors to food and country events.

Profit on knife sales plus a fee per knife sharpened. Sharpening draws people to the stall and can lead to a knife purchase.

• Sharpening and demonstrating knives
• Friendly selling to passers-by
• Planning stock and event dates
• Handling cash and card payments

• Rules on selling knives, including not selling to under 18s and banned types. Check current guidance
• Whether you need street trading permission or a market operator's approval, check with the council
• Public liability insurance, often required by market organisers, and safe display of blades
• Weather, pitch fees and transporting stock safely, including secure storage in a vehicle

Estimated startup costs are typically around £1,500 to £6,000, depending on your stall setup, opening stock, sharpening equipment and insurance. Treat these as estimates and cost your own pitch and kit before you start.

Estimated monthly revenue is typically around £600 to £3,000, depending on how many markets and events you attend and what you sell. That is revenue before costs, and you can start from around 10 hours a week.

Check current guidance on selling knives, including not selling to under 18s and banned types. Also check with the council whether you need street trading permission or a market operator's approval, and arrange public liability insurance, which organisers often require.