Starting a shop

[Mattie]

I took the plunge a few year back and started out in a unit in the Inshops (shopping centre type thing). Looking back you could say it was the worst thing and the best thing i've done since starting in printing in terms of the running costs stress etc.

I now run a 4 room office above a shop (not my shop) which is mostly used for sublimation printing and have a member of staff who just deals with customer service side of things, and a industrial unit where i mainly do engraved gifts and signs, car graphics etc.

You really need to sit down and look through all your costings.

setup costs (i.e fittings etc)
Electric
Gas
Rent
Business rates
Insurance
Water rates
Sewage charges
Broadband
Telephone
Advertising
Just to name a few.

If i didn't push for regular contracts i don't think i would bother with premises as just small one off orders from joe public wouldn't really be worth the time and hassle and costs.
i often get people calling or emailing saying they can get one of our products off ebay for half the price etc what discount can i do.

If you decide to take the plunge i wish you all the best for the future.

[jennywren]

I took a shop last year and never looked back, but I did have experience trading as a market trader which helped me through, but even so the first year is tough, and even so a few things caught me unaware but nothing that couldn't be right, sometimes experience does cost money but it something that cannot be learnt by books or advice, Good Luck and mostly enjoyed.

[logobear]

the biggest expence of any business is finding customers, - the only difference between a shop and a room is the window! - and hopeful good footfall.
How will people find you and know what you are doing/offering?
Make sure you have a break clause in your lease - at 1 year ? in case things don't work out, - otherwise there is no excape from a lease even if you close up !
Business rates will be about 40% of your rent. - maybe excempt this year - small business rate relief scheme
Insurance - tends to be from about £400 up - but can be a lot less if you get it through a market trader membership scheme. You only need public liability ins.
elec, phone, web etc all about same as home.
Good luck
P

[jennywren]

Wise words logobear about footfall, I'm glad that I don't have to go through the learning experiences again and in this climate, not sure I would have made it if I started now, fresh and hopeful and stressed