Panipuri market and festival stall

Shoppers and festival visitors, plus people from South Asian communities looking for a familiar snack.

You sell by the plate (for example six puris) or in sharing boxes, with extras such as dahi puri or sev puri at a higher price. Pitch fees are your main running cost.

• Cooking and getting the flavours right
• Fast, friendly customer service
• Basic food hygiene and allergen awareness

• Register your food business with the council that covers where you prepare food, usually well before you start trading (check the notice period)
• Street trading may need a licence or consent from the council, while private markets set their own rules
• Public liability insurance, which most markets ask to see
• Allergen information for customers; puris, fillings and chutneys can contain gluten, chickpeas and other allergens
• Gas safety checks if you use gas equipment, and a fire extinguisher
• Keeping spiced water and fillings at safe temperatures during a long day outdoors
• Weather and quiet days that can hit your takings

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around £1,500 to £6,000, depending on your stall set-up, equipment, ingredients, insurance and pitch fees. Costs vary with how much you buy new and how many markets or events you plan to trade at.

Monthly revenue is typically around £1,000 to £5,000, depending on how often you trade, which pitches you book and your prices. These are estimates only, and weather and quiet days can hit your takings.

Check food business registration with the council covering where you prepare food, and its notice period. Also check street trading licences or consent, market rules, public liability insurance, allergen information, gas safety and fire extinguisher needs, and safe temperatures for spiced water and fillings.