How much does it cost?

The main expense in buying an existing café will be purchasing or leasing a property in a viable location as well as kitchen space and a dining area large enough to make the venture profitable.

Paul Graydon, business marketing manager at HSBC believes the average established café costs at least £100,000, depending on size and location. If you are taking over an existing lease, it will be considerably less. Either way, make sure you have enough money for the all the extras that you’ll need.

Basic Equipment

  • Till point with Visa, AMEX and Mastercard facilities. This may result in an ongoing cost for small businesses as credit card companies charge approximately 2.5 to 5% for every transaction

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  • Industrial sized refrigerator

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  • Sandwich case

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  • Dishwasher

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  • Microwave

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  • Fresh meat cabinet

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  • Six burner range

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  • Heated or refrigerated merchandisers

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  • Electric water boiler

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  • Coffee/Cappuccino machine

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  • Essential domestic food appliances include mixers and processors, kitchen equipment such as cutlery, crockery and glassware.

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  • Furniture 

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  • Ongoing costs: Food and drink supplies, insurance, gas, electricity, telephone bills, advertising, staff salaries and the appropriate licence to sell alcohol.