Patisserie shop with a small counter
Open a small shop baking and selling fresh pastries, cakes and coffee to your local high street.
- £25k-100k
- Full-time
- Own premises
- Licence or permit needed
Estimates for a small start in the UK, not guarantees.
Official data
5,323 UK companies in this field, 35% registered in the last 2 years
SIC 10710 “Manufacture of bread; manufacture of fresh pastry goods and cakes”. Source: Companies House, November 2026.
What it is
A small unit with a bakery kitchen and a front counter, selling fresh French-style pastries, cakes and possibly drinks, with options for custom orders.
Your first three steps
- Write a simple plan with a menu, costings and a break-even figure, and visit possible high street units at different times of day
- Check the lease terms, business rates and whether the unit has or can get the right planning use for food
- Register as a food business with your council and price up ovens, a display counter and other equipment, including second-hand
Who pays
Walk-in customers, office workers, families buying treats and gifts, and customers ordering celebration cakes.
How it makes money
Daily counter sales of pastries and drinks, plus higher-margin custom cakes, boxes for events and wholesale to nearby businesses.
Skills that help
- Professional pastry skills
- Managing stock and food costs
- Customer service
- Running a small team
Watch out for
- Food business registration and hygiene inspection by your local council
- Planning permission or change of use for the premises, check with your council
- Business rates, lease terms and fit-out costs
- Allergen rules, public liability and employer's liability insurance once you hire
- Long early hours and high energy costs
Deep research report · UK
Everything you need to start: patisserie shop with a small counter
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 open a patisserie shop in the UK?
Startup costs are typically around £25,000 to £100,000, depending on the premises, fit-out, equipment and lease terms. This is an estimate, so check rent, business rates and fit-out costs for your chosen unit before you commit.
How much can a small patisserie shop make?
Monthly revenue is typically around £6,000 to £30,000, depending on your location, opening hours, product range and custom cake orders. These are estimates, not guarantees, and energy and staffing costs can affect what you keep.
What rules should I check before opening a patisserie?
Check food business registration and the hygiene inspection by your local council, and whether the premises need planning permission or change of use. Also check allergen rules, business rates, lease terms, and public and employer's liability insurance.
Other ways to run this business
Similar food ideas
Small dessert café-restaurant
Run a small sit-down spot serving plated desserts, ice cream, waffles and sweet drinks.
- £25k-100k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Hong Kong-style cafe (cha chaan teng)
Open a small cafe serving milk tea, French toast and baked rice dishes to locals and students.
- £25k-100k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Neighbourhood coffee shop
Run a small café selling coffee, tea, cakes and light lunches to locals and passing trade.
- £25k-100k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Coffee roastery supplying cafés and shops
Run a small roastery unit supplying fresh beans to local cafés, delis and offices.
- £25k-100k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Neighbourhood kosher grocery shop
Open a small shop stocking kosher food and household goods for your local Jewish community.
- £25k-100k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Chinese bakery shop
Open a small shop selling fresh Chinese buns, tarts and pastries baked daily for walk-in customers.
- £25k-100k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Photo: MiVargof on Pixabay