Violin and string instrument shop

Students and parents, amateur and professional players, music teachers, youth orchestras and schools.

Instrument and accessory sales, monthly rental income, and repair and set-up fees. Regular rentals and repeat string and accessory sales help to smooth out income.

• Strong knowledge of string instruments and bows
• Repair skills, or a skilled luthier to employ or partner with
• Stock buying and cash flow management
• Advising customers with patience

• Stock is a large cost and slow to sell, so start with a focused range
• Check lease terms, business rates and planning use for the premises with your council
• Insure the stock, rental instruments and customers' instruments left for repair, plus public liability. Add employer's liability if you hire
• VAT registration becomes compulsory above the turnover threshold. Check the current rules with HMRC
• Sales are seasonal and peak around the start of the school year, so plan your cash flow
• Some bow woods and older instruments have export and import rules. Check before selling abroad

Estimated startup costs are typically around £15,000 to £60,000, depending on the premises, how much stock you buy and your repair bench setup. Stock is a large cost and slow to sell, so consider starting with a focused range.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £4,000 to £20,000, depending on sales, rentals and repairs. Sales are seasonal and peak around the start of the school year, so plan your cash flow carefully.

Check lease terms, business rates and planning use with your council. Check insurance for stock, rentals, customers' instruments and public liability, plus employer's liability if you hire. VAT registration becomes compulsory above the turnover threshold, so check current rules with HMRC.