Traditional teahouse with a quiet sit-down room

Local residents, shoppers, older customers, friends meeting up, tourists and people looking for a quiet break in the day.

Pots of tea, cakes, scones and light lunches, plus afternoon tea sets at a higher price per head. Loose tea and gifts can add a little extra.

• Knowledge of teas and how to brew them
• Simple baking or sourcing from local bakers
• Warm, attentive customer service
• Managing stock, costs and rotas

• Register as a food business with your local council well before opening (usually at least 28 days; check with them)
• Food hygiene and allergen rules, including written allergen information
• Check the lease terms, business rates and whether the unit has the right planning use for a café
• Public liability insurance, plus employer's liability insurance once you hire staff
• Fixed costs like rent and wages can be heavy, so test your numbers on quiet weeks
• If you play recorded music, check whether you need a music licence

Startup costs are typically around £15,000 to £60,000, depending on the unit, fit-out, equipment and opening stock. Rent and wages are fixed costs that can be heavy, so test your numbers against quiet weeks.

Monthly revenue is typically around £4,000 to £20,000, depending on location, opening hours, menu and how many customers you attract. These are estimates of sales, not profit, and a teahouse usually needs around 40 hours a week.

Check food business registration with your local council well before opening, usually at least 28 days. Also check food hygiene and allergen rules, lease terms, business rates, planning use for a café, insurance, and any music licence if you play recorded music.