Small-scale tea wholesaler from home

Independent cafés, delis, farm shops, B&Bs, small hotels and gift shops that want a distinctive tea range.

You sell at a wholesale price above your bulk cost. Repeat orders from regular customers matter most, and you can add a margin for blending or private-label packaging.

• Knowing teas and tasting well
• Selling to local businesses
• Organised stock and order handling

• Food business registration with your local council, and check whether your home setup is suitable for storing and packing food
• Food labelling rules for packed tea, including allergens and ingredients, which you should check with Trading Standards or the Food Standards Agency
• Public liability and product liability insurance
• Check with your landlord or mortgage lender before storing stock or running a business from home
• Cash tied up in stock, and tea losing freshness if stored badly

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around £800 to £4,000, depending on how much tea you buy, your packaging and insurance. Cash can get tied up in stock, and tea can lose freshness if stored badly.

Things to check include food business registration with your local council and whether your home suits storing and packing food, plus labelling rules including allergens and ingredients with Trading Standards or the Food Standards Agency. Check with your landlord or mortgage lender too.

Estimates suggest monthly revenue typically around £500 to £3,000, depending on how many cafés, delis and shops you supply and the teas you sell. Revenue is before stock, packaging and other costs.