Waterside watersports hire hut

Holidaymakers, day visitors, local families and groups such as stag and hen parties or youth groups.

Hire fees by the hour or day, wetsuit and accessory hire, group bookings, and optionally taster sessions or sales of small items like dry bags.

• Water safety and rescue awareness
• Customer service and managing busy periods
• Running a small seasonal business, including staff and stock

• Pitch or concession terms: rent, length of lease, and whether you need planning permission for a hut or container, check with the council
• Public liability insurance for hire and water activities, and employer's liability insurance if you take on staff
• A written risk assessment, safety kit and trained staff, as you are responsible for people using your equipment
• Trading is highly seasonal and weather dependent, so plan cash flow for quiet months
• Theft and damage to kit, plus secure storage over winter

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around £8,000 to £40,000, depending on the hut or container, the amount of kit you buy and your pitch terms. Secure storage over winter is also worth budgeting for.

Check pitch or concession terms, including rent and lease length, and ask the council whether a hut or container needs planning permission. Also check public liability and employer's liability insurance, and a written risk assessment, safety kit and trained staff.

Estimates suggest monthly revenue typically around £2,000 to £10,000, depending on the site, kit and weather. Trading is highly seasonal and weather dependent, so plan cash flow for quiet months.