Setting Up Shop

Like my page for the full Shop Lease Traps series

I’ll never forget a client who’d spent months building up their shop, only to be told the landlord was moving them to a different space. It was in the lease — a relocation clause they didn’t even realise they’d signed.

This is a trap that can cost you money, time, and even customers.

Like my page for the full Shop Lease Traps series — 5 posts to help you avoid the most common mistakes retailers make!

Part 1: Rent

Most tenants think “rent” is just the monthly amount.
But leases often add outgoings, marketing fees, and other charges on top. If you don’t ask the right questions, your real cost can be much more than you planned.

One of the biggest shocks I see with new tenants is when the first invoice arrives — and it’s so much more than the rent they budgeted for.

That’s why the very first trap in this series is all about rent.

This is the kind of detail that can make or break your budget before you even open the doors.

Save this post + follow along for the rest of the series.

🚽 Where’s the loo?

No seriously — is it yours, or do staff have to trek through a carpark in the rain?
It’s one of the most overlooked parts of a lease, and it can cost a bomb to fix.

Installing a new toilet can set you back thousands. And if you’re sharing, it better be decent.
This stuff matters — especially when you’re opening your first shop.

💬 Comment 7 and I’ll send you my checklist:
7 Questions You Must Ask Before You Lease a Shop