Registration and Legal Requirements
If you plan on opening a coffee business in the UK, you will need to register as a food business. Registration is free, but you should do it at least 28 days before you open.
Licenses Required:
- Food hygiene certificate – required by law, ensures coffee shop meets health and safety standards
- Alcohol license – if you plan to sell alcohol
- Premises licence – required for businesses selling food/drink to the public
- Business insurance – protects in the event of an accident
Visit gov.uk for more detailed information on the registration process and specific licensing requirements.
Profitability and Challenges
The profitability of a coffee shop in the UK varies depending on factors like location, size of shop, and quality of coffee.
According to Small Business Chron, coffee shops make an average annual revenue of about £215,000 per year by selling about 250 cups of coffee daily. However, coffee shops can fail for reasons such as poor management and lack of sales to cover costs.