Left luggage desk in a host shop or café

Tourists, day trippers, people between check-out and a late train, and event or festival visitors.

A fee per bag, often per day or per few hours. Many owners pay the host a flat rent or a share of each fee in return for the space.

• Friendly, clear customer service
• Careful and organised record keeping
• Negotiating a simple deal with a host business

• Public liability insurance and cover for customers' goods in your care, check what policies include
• Check the host's lease and insurance allow you to store other people's property
• Rules on prohibited items and how you handle unclaimed bags, set clear terms and conditions
• Check data protection basics if you keep customer names or contact details
• Security of the storage area, including who has access

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around £300 to £2,000, depending on storage equipment, tagging supplies and insurance. Check what public liability and customers' goods cover includes, and agree terms with your host business.

Monthly revenue is estimated at typically around £300 to £2,500, depending on location, visitor numbers and the fee split you agree with the host. Treat this as a rough estimate rather than a guarantee.

Check that the host's lease and insurance allow you to store other people's property, and what your public liability and goods cover includes. Set clear terms on prohibited items and unclaimed bags, check data protection basics, and consider storage security.