Small rock music club with its own venue

Gig-goers buying tickets and drinks, plus touring bands, local promoters and private hirers paying for the room.

Ticket income or door splits, bar takings (usually the biggest part), room hire to promoters, and extras such as merchandise commission or private parties.

• Booking bands and managing relationships
• Running a bar and a team of casual staff
• Marketing to a local music scene
• Careful cash and budget control

• A premises licence for alcohol and live music, plus a named premises supervisor with a personal licence (rules differ in Scotland, so check with your council)
• Music licensing such as PRS and PPL for performances and recorded music
• Noise complaints from neighbours, check planning use and soundproofing before committing to a lease
• Fire safety, capacity limits and a risk assessment
• Door staff may need SIA licences, and insurance should cover public liability, contents and employer's liability once you hire
• Thin margins and a high fixed rent, so test demand first

Startup costs are typically around £25,000 to £120,000, depending on the premises, fit-out and sound equipment. Monthly revenue is estimated at around £8,000 to £40,000, depending on capacity, event nights and bar takings.

Check whether you need a premises licence for alcohol and live music, plus a named premises supervisor with a personal licence (rules differ in Scotland). Also check PRS and PPL licensing, noise and planning use, fire safety and capacity, and whether door staff need SIA licences.

The estimate is at least around 30 hours a week, mostly evenings and weekends. Useful skills include booking bands, running a bar and casual team, marketing to a local music scene and careful cash control. Margins can be thin with high fixed rent.