Take over a small established tobacconist

Local regulars buying tobacco, papers, lighters and everyday items, plus passing trade.

Mark-up on tobacco and related products, helped by repeat daily customers. Extra lines such as confectionery or stationery can add margin.

• Reading shop accounts
• Customer service
• Stock ordering and cash handling
• Managing staff rota if you hire help

• Check the shop's takings figures independently and look for signs of illicit or untaxed stock
• Rules differ across the UK. In Scotland and Northern Ireland, check whether you need to register as a tobacco retailer (the Scottish register, or with the local council in Northern Ireland), as a registration may not pass to a new owner. England and Wales have no tobacco retail licence at present, but new licensing or registration rules have been proposed, so check the current position with your council and trading standards before you buy
• Age checks (18 and over), display and packaging rules apply, and they may change, so confirm the latest requirements with trading standards
• Long opening hours and heavy reliance on one site or a few regular customers
• Shop insurance, business rates and the length and terms of the lease

Startup costs are typically around £20,000 to £80,000, depending on the shop, its takings, the stock and fixtures included and the lease terms. Check the shop's takings figures independently before you agree a price.

Monthly revenue is typically around £10,000 to £40,000, depending on location, the regular customer base and the range sold. These are revenue estimates, not profit, and long opening hours and reliance on one site are worth weighing up.

Check the takings independently and look for signs of illicit or untaxed stock. Check whether you need to register as a tobacco retailer, as a registration may not pass to a new owner, plus age check rules, insurance, business rates and the lease terms.