Independent spice shop

Local home cooks, people from communities who want authentic ingredients, and restaurants or takeaways buying in bulk.

Retail margin on packs and loose spices, higher margin on blends and gifts, and regular wholesale orders from local food businesses.

• Deep knowledge of spices and cuisines
• Buying and stock control
• Customer service
• Managing a shop budget and rent

• Food business registration: you usually need to register with your local council at least 28 days before you start trading, and expect a hygiene inspection. Registration is generally free and is not a licence, but check with your council
• Planning use class for the unit and any shop signage permissions, so check with your council
• Business rates, lease terms and rent, which can be your biggest costs
• Public liability, product liability and stock insurance
• If you repack or blend spices yourself, you take on extra food safety, allergen and labelling duties, so check Food Standards Agency and Trading Standards guidance
• Weights and measures rules apply to loose and pre-packed goods, so check Trading Standards guidance
• Footfall can be slow at first, so keep enough cash to cover several months

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around £8,000 to £35,000, depending on the unit, fit-out, stock and insurance. Rent, business rates and lease terms can be your biggest costs, so get quotes first.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £3,000 to £12,000, depending on your location, range and whether you supply local restaurants. The estimates assume at least about 35 hours a week, and footfall can be slow at first.

Check registering with your council at least 28 days before trading, and expect a hygiene inspection. Check planning use class, signage permissions, business rates, insurance, and Food Standards Agency and Trading Standards guidance on repacking, allergens, labelling and weights and measures.