Telescope and stargazing shop

Hobbyists, families, students, schools and gift buyers who want to see and handle kit before they buy.

Retail margin on products, plus accessories, gift items and any paid workshops or talks. Repeat custom comes from upgrades and accessories.

• Good knowledge of telescopes and optics
• Retail and stock management
• Explaining technical things simply

• Rent, rates and fit-out costs, so check small business rate relief with your council
• Stock is expensive to hold and demand can be seasonal, with peaks around Christmas
• Shop insurance covering stock, public liability and employer's liability if you hire
• Planning and lease terms for retail use, so check with the landlord and council
• Competition from online sellers, so plan what the shop offers that a website cannot

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around £15,000 to £60,000, depending on your premises, fit-out and how much stock you hold. Stock is expensive to hold and demand can be seasonal, with peaks around Christmas.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £3,000 to £15,000, depending on your location, range and any online sales or events. Competition from online sellers means it helps to plan what your shop offers that a website cannot.

Check rent, rates and fit-out costs, and ask your council about small business rate relief. Also check shop insurance covering stock, public liability and employer's liability if you hire, plus planning and lease terms for retail use.