Start a local pond and aquatic supplies shop

Local garden owners, pond keepers who need regular supplies and advice, and small landscapers and gardeners.

Retail mark-up on equipment, plus regular repeat sales of treatments, food and filter media. Extra income can come from liner cut-to-size services, pond health water testing and local delivery.

• Knowledge of pond equipment, plants and water quality
• Customer service and advice
• Stock control and buying

• If you plan to sell live fish, you will probably need a pet shop licence from your council, so check before you stock any. A shop selling only equipment, treatments and plants would not normally need one
• Some non-native pond plants are banned from sale under invasive species rules, so check the current list before buying plants
• Live fish and plants need tanks, careful water management and good animal welfare
• Public liability and stock insurance, plus employer's liability if you hire
• Heavy seasonal trade, so keep rent and stock levels manageable
• Electrical items like pumps may bring product safety and electrical waste obligations, so check with trading standards

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around £15,000 to £60,000, depending on your premises, how much stock you buy and whether you keep live fish or plants. Trade is seasonal, so keep rent and stock levels manageable.

If you plan to sell live fish, you will probably need a pet shop licence from your council, so check before you stock any. A shop selling only equipment, treatments and plants would not normally need one. Also check the current banned plant list.

Monthly revenue is typically around £5,000 to £25,000, depending on location, range and season. That is revenue, not profit. Estimates suggest you should expect to work at least around 35 hours a week running the shop.