Tea wholesaler with own blends and a small unit

Cafés, restaurants, hotels, delis, farm shops and independent retailers, plus businesses wanting their own branded tea.

Wholesale sales of your blends and bulk tea, with higher margins on your own blends and private-label orders. Larger regular orders help cover the unit costs.

• Tea knowledge and blending
• Building trade accounts
• Stock control and invoicing
• Basic branding and packaging

• Food business registration and possible inspection of your premises by the local council
• Food safety procedures, such as HACCP-based records, which you should check with your council or the Food Standards Agency
• Labelling, allergen and traceability rules for packed food
• Public liability, product liability and stock insurance, plus employer's liability if you hire
• Customers paying late, so consider credit checks or clear payment terms
• Import rules and costs if you buy tea directly from overseas, so check requirements first

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around £5,000 to £25,000, depending on your unit, equipment, bulk stock, packaging and insurance. Check import rules and costs first if you buy tea directly from overseas.

Things to check include food business registration and possible council inspection of your premises, food safety procedures such as HACCP-based records, and labelling, allergen and traceability rules for packed food. Check with your council or the Food Standards Agency.

Estimates suggest monthly revenue typically around £3,000 to £15,000, depending on your trade accounts, blends and any private-label work. Late-paying customers can strain cash flow, so consider clear payment terms.