Online off-licence with local delivery
Sell a curated range of wines, craft beers or spirits through a website and deliver to customers' doors.
- £3k-15k
- Part-time
- Online
- Licence or permit needed
Estimates for a small start in the UK, not guarantees.
Official data
5,349 UK companies in this field, 33% registered in the last 2 years
SIC 47250 “Retail sale of beverages in specialised stores”. Source: Companies House, November 2026.
What it is
A web shop selling a focused range of alcohol, such as craft beer, natural wine or gin, stored in a small unit or lock-up and sent by courier or delivered locally.
Your first three steps
- Pick a niche, such as local craft beer or a particular wine region, and check what rivals charge
- Contact your local council about a premises licence for the place where you store and sell alcohol, and about a personal licence
- Set up a simple web shop with age verification and agree prices with a few suppliers
Who pays
Adults who want a specialist range, gift buyers and people planning parties or dinners who prefer delivery.
How it makes money
Mark-up on each bottle or case, plus delivery fees, gift boxes, tasting sets and subscriptions.
Skills that help
- Product knowledge and selecting a range
- Online marketing and social media
- Organising stock and orders
- Customer service
Watch out for
- Online and delivery sales still need a premises licence and a personal licence holder, check with your council
- Age checks on delivery and at ordering are required, so choose couriers that can do this
- Check rules on storing alcohol at home, as a licensed premises may not be allowed in a residential property
- Breakages, courier costs and returns can eat into margins
- Alcohol duty, VAT and the need to follow rules on alcohol advertising and distance selling
Deep research report · UK
Everything you need to start: online off-licence with local delivery
Researched with live web search for United Kingdom: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start an online off-licence?
Startup costs are typically around £3,000 to £15,000, depending on your stock, website, storage space and delivery setup. These are estimates, so build your own budget before ordering stock.
How much can an online off-licence make?
Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £1,000 to £5,000, depending on your range, marketing and how many customers reorder. Breakages, courier costs and returns can eat into margins.
Do I need a licence to sell alcohol online in the UK?
Check with your council, as online and delivery sales still need a premises licence and a personal licence holder. Also check age checks on ordering and delivery, rules on storing alcohol at home, and duty, VAT and advertising rules.
Other ways to run this business
Similar retail ideas
Online builders merchant with local delivery
Sell building materials online to trades and homeowners, with most orders delivered direct from suppliers.
- £3k-15k
- Side hustle
- Online
Trade letterbox supplier to shops and builders
Stock a range of letterboxes and deliver to hardware shops, builders and fitters in your area.
- £3k-15k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Piñata supplier to party shops and planners
Stock piñatas and decorations in bulk and supply party shops, event planners and gift stores.
- £3k-15k
- Part-time
- From home
Local beauty supplies delivery round
Stock the everyday essentials salons run out of and deliver them in person on a regular route around your area.
- £3k-15k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Online insulation supplies store
Sell insulation boards and rolls online with pallet delivery, using supplier stock or a small storage space.
- £3k-15k
- Side hustle
- Online
Watch repair shop or kiosk
Run a small shop, kiosk or shared counter where walk-in customers get quick battery, strap and repair jobs.
- £3k-15k
- Full-time
- Own premises