Wedding dress hire boutique

Local brides and their families, plus bridesmaids, mothers of the bride and guests who want formal outfits for a single event.

Hire fees per dress and accessory, deposits, alteration and cleaning charges, and extras such as styling sessions or veil and jewellery hire.

• Styling and fitting
• Retail and stock management
• Marketing and local networking
• Managing staff or freelancers

• Lease terms, business rates and fit-out costs, so check these before committing
• Public liability, stock and contents insurance, plus employer's liability if you hire staff
• Check planning and use class rules for your premises with the local council
• Seasonal and uneven demand, so keep a cash buffer for quiet months
• A large stock ties up money and needs careful tracking, cleaning and storage

Startup costs are typically around £10,000 to £40,000, depending on your premises, lease terms, fit-out and how large a collection you buy. Stock ties up money, so many owners start with a smaller collection and build it up.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £2,500 to £10,000, depending on your location, collection size, hire prices and bookings. Demand is seasonal and uneven, so keep a cash buffer for quieter months.

Check lease terms, business rates and fit-out costs before committing. Also check planning and use class rules for your premises with the local council, and arrange public liability, stock and contents insurance, plus employer's liability if you hire staff.