I want to open a charity shop. What do I do first?
Register as a charity with the Charity Commission.
Learn about the statutory obligations that come with being a retailer, charity, employer and occupier of property.
Learn about tax and charity shops. Charity shops are exempted from corporation tax. They benefit from zero rated VAT on the sale of donated goods, and 80% mandatory non-domestic business rates relief. The HMRC website has guidance on these issues.
Approach your local council, to arrange rates relief.
Create a budget for the shop, with likely income (from sales) and expenditure (from rent, wages, repairs, bills, insurance). Remember that 60-80% of a shopโs income may go to running costs, such as rent and wages.
Raise your start-up capital. You will need to pay the rental deposit, usually the shop-fit, potentially essential building repairs and possibly staff recruitment.