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[JB]

You aren't that far away from people playing in Stockton/Middlesbrough/Guisborough areas either who would probably travel. I work with a bloke who travels to Whitby from Durham at least once a month just for Fish and chips!

[Andythomo21]

I currently work in Middlesbrough and all my work colleagues regularly travel to Whitby on their days off so I know if I could get going and get known then I would potentially get customers from those areas.

[JB]

I'm doing a job in loftus at the minute which is just over an hours drive for me and you aren't that much further really. The only other real cricket shops in the north east are Lorimers in Bishop Auckland & Just Sport in Newcastle

[IQ]

Looking at your post it seems you are being realistic which is great to see.

I have been doing it for a few years now so I guess I can chip in. (although in Australia so cannot comment on the location scenarios being discussed)

1) $$$$$ -  You can start as small as you want - You need a lot of money to keep going! Every customer you get (especially regulars) will have completely different requirements/wants/needs so over time you will end up stocking more and more (investing more $$$ than you can ever expect). Cricket as a game needs lots of accessories (softs, balls etc combinations) which means more permutations and combinations.

2) Time - work like this is fun but it can take over your life! - you can spend whole day and still feel like not doing enough! lol Lot of behind the scenes time wasters - chasing suppliers etc if making own softs, bats etc, taking pictures all the time, packing/posting/knocking in.

3) Slim margins - might be personal thing since I sell mostly online or to local club cricketers but certainly not huge margins.

4) quality control and suppliers - its really hard to pick the good from bad (read lots of wasted money on stocks) - Also consider the fact its mostly organic material  - especially wood/cane making it harder to control/quantifying things. Personally spent a few thousand getting the cricket ball which is good enough for local markets.

In short if you are expecting easy money or expecting great returns its definitely not the way to go. Its great fun and you meet mostly nice people (most cricketers are good blokes)- one or 2 scammers an year or perhaps some pain in the rear hagglers.

Best of luck 

[mp07]

As long you keep you overhead cost low and keep competitive prices you will do great.  I think cricket retail shop has lot of potential specially online and new market like USA, Canada and middle east where cricket is still growing strong and ppl have money to buy good gears.