Members' water ski club with its own site

Regular skiers and wakeboarders, families, young people in training and local groups who want a base to ski.

Annual memberships, session fees for guests and juniors, coaching, kit hire, taster days and small events. A clubhouse or café can add income later.

• Strong water skiing and boat handling
• Managing people and volunteers
• Basic boat maintenance and budgeting

• Water-based leisure use of a lake, a landing stage, storage or a clubhouse will often need planning permission, so confirm with your council before you start trading
• Check with the lake owner and any navigation or water authority what permission you need to run powered boats on the water
• If you plan to sell alcohol at a clubhouse, you will need a premises licence and a personal licence holder; check with your council's licensing team
• Insurance for the site, boats, members and staff, plus employer's liability if you hire
• Boat purchase and maintenance costs can be high, so budget for repairs
• Noise complaints from neighbours and conditions in your lease
• Seasonal income, so plan cash flow across winter

Startup costs are typically around £70,000 to £300,000, depending on the lake lease, boats and landing stage. These are estimates. Boat purchase and maintenance costs can be high, so budget for repairs.

Check planning permission for water-based leisure use, a landing stage, storage or a clubhouse with your council. Check with the lake owner and any navigation or water authority about powered boats. Selling alcohol needs a premises licence and a personal licence holder.

Monthly revenue is typically around £3,000 to £12,000, depending on membership and events. Income is seasonal, so plan cash flow across winter. Insurance for the site, boats, members and staff is also worth checking.