Start a newspaper and sundries kiosk

Commuters, shoppers, hospital visitors, office workers and regulars who pick up a paper or a quick item on their way past.

You earn a margin on each newspaper and magazine, and usually a better margin on drinks, snacks and other extras. Steady daily regulars and a good pitch matter more than any single sale.

• Friendly, quick customer service
• Basic stock control and cash handling
• Early starts and reliable opening hours

• Street trading consent or a pitch lease from the council, and possible planning permission for a kiosk, so check before you buy anything
• Public liability insurance, plus cover for stock and the kiosk itself
• Selling hot drinks or food usually means registering as a food business with your council
• Age-restricted goods such as tobacco, vapes or alcohol have strict rules and some need a licence, so check what you are allowed to sell
• Newspaper margins are small, so your rent and opening hours need to work out before you commit
• Long, early days in all weathers, and some risk of theft

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around £5,000 to £25,000, depending on the kiosk, pitch and stock you choose. Check rent or pitch lease costs and insurance before you buy anything, as newspaper margins are small.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £4,000 to £15,000, depending on your pitch, opening hours and what you sell. This is revenue, not profit, and newspaper margins are small, so check your rent and hours work out.

Things to check include street trading consent or a pitch lease from the council, and possible planning permission for the kiosk. Hot drinks or food usually mean registering as a food business, and tobacco, vapes or alcohol have strict rules.