Independent neighbourhood wine shop

Local households, people buying gifts, and nearby restaurants, cafes and small businesses.

You buy from importers and wholesalers and sell at a mark-up. Extra income can come from paid tastings, gift hampers, event orders and regular trade customers.

• Good product knowledge, or a willingness to learn
• Friendly, confident customer service
• Stock buying and cash flow control

• Alcohol licensing: you will probably need a premises licence and a personal licence holder, and the rules differ in Scotland, so check with your council
• If you sell to restaurants or other businesses, check whether you need to register with HMRC under the Alcohol Wholesalers Registration Scheme
• Alcohol duty and VAT: speak to an accountant before you set prices
• Shop lease terms, business rates and the cost of holding stock before it sells
• Public liability and stock insurance, and employer's liability insurance if you hire staff

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around £25,000 to £80,000, depending on the premises, lease terms, fit-out and how much stock you buy before it sells. Holding stock ties up cash, so plan for it.

Alcohol licensing: you will probably need a premises licence and a personal licence holder, and the rules differ in Scotland, so check with your council. Also check HMRC registration if you sell to businesses, and alcohol duty and VAT with an accountant.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £8,000 to £40,000, depending on location, range and footfall. This is revenue, not profit, so allow for stock, rent, business rates and insurance.