Anyone on here own a shop?

[T16GEM]

Just wondering about opening a shop, it's something that DH and I have always fancied and now could be the time to do it!

We have found a couple of sites that we are interested in but we are rather clueless about business rates and what kind of bills we would expect.

The shop that we are looking in to mainly is 930 sq feet.

Any advice / help is much appreciated.

Gems

 

[Tink78]

Ooh sounds fab.
I always fancied this too.

What sort of thing might you sell?

 

[T16GEM]

Tink
for the past 12 months I have been running a party business, we mainly specialise in balloon decoration for weddings and parties etc but we also supply a lot of kids party stuff, all licensed with the Disney characters and Bratz etc.

It's such a fun job to do in our spare time and we have been doing ok we just think now is the tim eto branch out especially as I can take a year out as Maternity leave as from next month.
Here are some examples of my balloon creations:

 

[Minniespal]

Gems ~ Your decorations are lovely. Hope you manage to fulfill your dream and open the shop

 

[pokemon_master]

Not much advice here, but I'd say go for it.

Good luck!

 

[mandymouse]

Sorry no advice, but Good Luck, I think your decorations are fab

 

[sue.o]

I also have no advise but I think the photos are fab and wish I was getting married again! so I could have the bride and groom! They're great!

Good luck with it all!

Sue

 

[natalielongstaff]

they are lovely gems best of luck

 

[Scottish_Maleficent]

They look fantastic Gems...........good luck!!!!

 

[angel659]

Hiya

Good luck and pics are fab

 

[Pauline123]

I I don't own a shop but I do rent out holiday villas and houses in the UK. I would say to anyone thinking of going into business get good sound financial advice. Expect the unexpected! There is a lot more to it than just opening a shop and having the stock. Good luck you'll never know if you don't give it a go.

 

[higgy66]

Your decorations look great - what a novel idea!

I sell childrens books and at the moment sell at events/toodler groups/soft play centres and in peoples homes. I would love my own shop and keep discussing with a close friend as a joint venture but we think the outlay would be too much. They say the main thing is location location and for this there come's a price.

Would you intend to expand your current products. There is a party shop in the next town to me and they sell ALL things party e.g. plates/cups/hats etc. Pinatas (?spell) party bags & party gifts etc etc. I will be honest though and say everytime i've passed it has been empty, however, it's been there over a year so that's a good sign!

Have you thought of a website? Mr site (i think) is excellent for creating your own websites and with some clever marketing you may not need to have premises. They only cost about £35 and I know a few people who have designed their own websites via this and they're excellent.

Just a thought but what ever happens I wish you every success!

Janet

 

[Merylj]

I had a small shop for 12 years - sold it last year. The rates are generally half the rent - so if you pay £8,000 per annum rent the rates could be £4,000. Your local council offices will help you out.

If you do take on a lease you will have the legal costs to pay, your own plus the landlords. Make sure you are not paying VAT on the lease.
Also see if you can get a break in the lease after the first year - just in case things don`t go as well as you had planned.

My expenses were
Electric cost about £60 per month.
Phone about £20.
PDQ machine rent and charges £45.
Accountant £50 month
Bank charges £50 month (included interest on a £2000 overdraught facility)
Water rates £20 month.
Insurances £70 - don`t forget public liability insurance - month.
Car/ van costs.
rates £200.
VAT is the biggest killer, I think the threshold is still £54,000.

I must admit I kept costs down to the absolute minimum. My business wasn`t very good in the last few years and I was pleased to get out as I didn`t want to lose money.

I think your balloons are fab, would card shops sell them for you or florists?
Do loads of research and enjoy youself, I loved having my business I hope you do to!

 

[Tron[ADS]]

Also, don't you have to pay the local Mr Big's protection racket fees ?
Or does that not really happen ?

 

[wils]

Love the Balloons so good luck