Sewing machine and overlocker shop

Home sewers, dressmakers, quilters, crafters, parents buying for teenagers, and small makers who need reliable machines.

Margin on machine and accessory sales, fees for servicing and repairs, and sometimes paid beginner classes or machine-familiarisation sessions.

• Confident using and explaining sewing machines
• Basic mechanical repair and servicing
• Friendly customer service and patient demonstrating
• Stock buying and keeping simple accounts

• Public liability insurance, plus cover for stock and for customers' machines left with you
• Selling electrical goods: check your duties on product safety, consumer rights and warranties
• Check whether you must offer take-back of old electrical equipment under the WEEE rules
• Rent, business rates and fit-out costs: check these before signing a lease
• Competition from online sellers, so plan to stand out on advice, servicing and classes
• Dealer agreements may restrict how you price or advertise some brands, so read the terms

Startup costs are estimated at typically around £15,000 to £60,000, depending on premises, fit-out and how much stock you buy. Rent, business rates and fit-out costs are worth checking before you sign any lease.

Monthly revenue is estimated at typically around £4,000 to £20,000, depending on your stock, location and how much servicing and accessory trade you build. These are estimates rather than guarantees, and running costs such as rent come out of revenue.

Check public liability insurance and cover for stock and customers' machines left with you. Also check your duties on product safety, consumer rights and warranties, the WEEE take-back rules, and any dealer agreement limits on pricing or advertising.