Starting up a shop

[Rain]

I've been thinking about this for a little while, and was wondering if someone would be able to give the basics about what I'd have to do to set up a shop?

There is a distinct lack of reptile shops around here, and I can see a potential money earner, and it means I could work with creatures I love.

Would be open tues - fri 10am-6pm, sat 9-6, sun 10-4, closed monday.

I'm thinking of selling reptiles, some amphibians, small rodents (mice, gerbils etc. Not as food!), and maybe a few other animals.

But anyway, could someone tell me just what I'd need to do. At the moment it's just an idea, but never know, it could spring into something more

[gecko-kus]

You have to ask your self a few q's first-

• Where are you going to have a shop
• Can you make enough money to keep it open
• How will you fiance it?
• Licensing problems
• renting/buying a property
• are you going to get enough customers

there just basic q's..... you have to remember also, what are you going to do when your ill? are you going to have someone else working for you (paperwork for that is crazy), have you worked in retail/pet shop before

It's damn hard work even getting to the stange of opening a shop and then it doesn't get any easier once opened....

You have to prepare yourself for knock backs too....

First thing I'd do i contact your local council ans ask about the ins/outs of a pet shop license (there may well be a reason why there's not one in the area), then go from there and start looking for somewhere and talk to a bank.....

[Rain]

• Where are you going to have a shop

In the centre of the town, in the same area as a wilsons who stock no reptile equipment, and an aquatics shop

• Can you make enough money to keep it open

In theory, yes, depending on overheads

• How will you fiance it?

Bank lone...

• Licensing problems

Such as?

• renting/buying a property

Renting initially

• are you going to get enough customers

Due to the large amount of herp keepers in the local areas, I think so yes.

• what are you going to do when your ill?

The shop would be a partnership, so the shop would be run by myself and either 1 or 2 others.

• have you worked in retail/pet shop before

Yes, I have had several years experience in customer service, and have had years of animal care.

[gecko-kus]

with the licensing there may be a reason why there isn't a reptile shop in the area - ie the council don't want one....

best to check with your local licensing officer to find out more info.... also this is a very good website for starting up a business...

Business support, information and advice | Business Link

loads of info on there about tax/employing other people/fiance/business plans etc...

I'd go speak to your bank about setting up a business too, their pretty helpful, but it's not easy to get a business loan (trust me i know)