Start a Neighbourhood Tapas Bar

Local couples, friends and groups going out in the evening, plus after-work and weekend lunch customers.

Customers buy several plates and drinks each. Drinks usually carry a higher margin than food, so a good drinks list and steady evening trade matter.

• Cooking or managing a kitchen team
• Costing dishes and controlling waste
• Hospitality and customer service
• Managing staff rotas

• Register as a food business with your local council well before opening, and check how much notice they need
• Check alcohol licensing: you will usually need a premises licence and a designated premises supervisor with a personal licence
• Check planning use class, fire risk assessment, and whether the unit suits cooking and extraction
• Public liability and employer's liability insurance once you hire
• Allergen information and food hygiene training for all staff
• High fixed costs such as rent, rates and wages, so slow months can hurt

Startup costs for a small tapas bar are typically around £40,000 to £150,000, depending on the premises, fit-out and equipment. Monthly revenue is typically estimated at £15,000 to £60,000, though high fixed costs mean slow months can hurt.

Things to check: register as a food business with your council well before opening, and ask how much notice they need. For alcohol, you will usually need a premises licence and a designated premises supervisor with a personal licence. Also check planning use class and fire risk assessment.

Estimates suggest at least 40 hours a week. Useful skills include cooking or managing a kitchen team, costing dishes, controlling waste, hospitality and customer service, and managing staff rotas. Allergen information and food hygiene training are needed for all staff.