Pie shop on your local high street

Lunchtime workers, local families, pubs and cafés buying wholesale, and customers ordering for parties or events.

Over-the-counter sales of single pies and meal deals, plus wholesale and catering orders, with sweet pies and seasonal specials adding extra sales.

• Professional-level baking
• Managing stock and wastage
• Customer service
• Managing staff and running a shop

• Register as a food business with your council before opening, and expect an inspection
• Planning permission or change of use may be needed for a hot food takeaway, check with your council
• Business rates, lease terms and fit-out costs can be large, so take advice before committing
• Public liability, employer's liability once you hire, and stock insurance
• Allergen rules and labelling for pre-packed food
• Long early hours and fixed overheads mean slow weeks can hurt

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around £15,000 to £60,000, depending on the premises, fit-out and equipment. Lease terms, business rates and fit-out costs can be large, so take advice before committing to a unit.

Estimated monthly revenue is typically around £6,000 to £25,000, depending on location, opening hours and whether you add wholesale or online pre-orders. That is revenue, not profit, and fixed overheads mean slow weeks can hurt.

Check that you register as a food business with your council before opening, and expect an inspection. Also check whether planning permission or change of use is needed for hot food takeaway, plus allergen and labelling rules and insurance.