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Buying a Tanning Salon in the UK – Buyer’s Guide

Trusted guidance to help you assess opportunities, avoid risks and buy with confidence.

This guide explains the key considerations, financial benchmarks, operational requirements, market trends, customer expectations, and long‑term growth opportunities involved in buying and running this type of business, helping you make a confident, well‑informed, and strategically sound purchase.

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Tanning salons offer buyers a modern, high‑demand service business with strong repeat trade, simple operations, and opportunities to grow through upgraded equipment, extended hours, and complementary beauty services.

What Does a Tanning Salon Do?

Tanning salons provide UV tanning beds, stand‑up booths, and spray‑tan services. Many operate from high‑street locations with strong walk‑in trade, offering fast, repeatable sessions that generate consistent weekly income. The sector typically involves physical, in‑person service delivery rather than online‑led models .

Why Buy a Tanning Salon?

Strong repeat trade from regular customers
Simple, staff‑light operations with predictable demand
Opportunities to add beauty, aesthetics, or retail products
High‑street visibility drives walk‑in sessions
Investor‑friendly model with skilled staff handling treatments

Typical Costs When Buying a Tanning Salon

Leasehold Prices: £60,000–£150,000 depending on size, equipment, and location
Weekly Turnover: Example listing shows £3,000 p.w.
Gross Profit: Typically 60%–75% depending on bed usage and retail sales
Stock at Valuation (SAV): Usually £1,000–£5,000
Business Rates: Vary by size and local authority

Key Financial Benchmarks

Gross Profit Margins: High due to low product costs and repeat usage
Net Profit: Influenced by rent, staffing, and energy consumption
Bed Utilisation: The primary driver of revenue and profitability
Upsell Potential: Lotions, skincare, and beauty add‑ons

Licensing and Compliance Requirements

Tanning salons must comply with UK health and safety regulations, including:

UV equipment safety and maintenance
Staff training for safe tanning practices
Age‑restriction compliance (no under‑18 UV tanning)
Health and Safety and fire‑safety standards
Insurance for public liability and equipment

What to Look for When Viewing a Tanning Salon

Condition and age of tanning beds and booths
Footfall levels and visibility from main roads
Ventilation, cooling, and electrical capacity
Local competition and demographic fit
Opportunities to add beauty or aesthetics services
Energy efficiency of equipment (major cost factor)

Growth Opportunities

Upgrading to modern, energy‑efficient tanning beds
Introducing spray tanning or automated booths
Adding beauty, nails, or aesthetics treatments
Extending opening hours for commuter trade
Improving branding, signage, and online presence

Common Challenges

High energy usage for tanning equipment
Competition from beauty salons offering tanning add‑ons
Maintaining equipment and replacing lamps regularly
Seasonal fluctuations in demand
Ensuring compliance with UV safety regulations

Due Diligence Checklist

Review turnover and GP margins from accounts
Inspect tanning beds, booths, and ventilation systems
Confirm lease terms, rent reviews, and business rates
Assess footfall, competition, and local demographics
Evaluate staffing levels and training requirements
Identify opportunities to upgrade equipment or expand services

Final Thoughts

Tanning salons remain a strong, repeat‑trade service business with excellent growth potential. With modern equipment, efficient operations, and a well‑positioned high‑street location, they can deliver reliable profits and long‑term stability.

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FAQ

1. What does a Tanning Salon typically offer?
Tanning salons usually provide stand‑up and lie‑down sunbeds, spray tanning, tanning courses, skincare products, and membership or pay‑as‑you‑go options.

2. How profitable are Tanning Salons?
Typical weekly turnover ranges from £2,500 to £12,000+, with strong margins on sunbed minutes, courses, and retail products. Profitability depends on location, equipment quality, and repeat customers.

3. Who are the main customers for Tanning Salons?
Customers include young adults, professionals, gym users, beauty clients, and regular tanners seeking quick, convenient sessions throughout the week.

4. What are the biggest risks when buying a Tanning Salon?
Key risks include rising energy costs, equipment maintenance, competition from gyms and beauty salons, and the need to maintain strict hygiene and safety standards.

5. What equipment should already be in place?
Essential equipment includes stand‑up and lie‑down sunbeds, timers, ventilation systems, cleaning stations, reception counters, CCTV, and retail display units.

6. What licensing or compliance requirements apply?
Tanning salons must comply with health and safety rules, UV equipment regulations, electrical certification, staff training requirements, and correct cleaning and hygiene procedures.

7. What should I look for when viewing a Tanning Salon?
Buyers should assess sunbed age and condition, ventilation, hygiene standards, energy efficiency, customer reviews, and opportunities to expand retail or membership sales.

8. What drives growth in this sector?
Growth opportunities include offering tanning courses, adding spray tanning, improving branding, upgrading sunbeds, selling skincare products, and introducing memberships or loyalty schemes.

9. How competitive is the market?
Competition comes from other tanning salons, gyms with sunbeds, beauty salons, and home‑use devices, making cleanliness, equipment quality, and pricing essential.

10. What due diligence should I carry out before buying?
Key checks include reviewing turnover and energy costs, assessing equipment value, checking maintenance records, analysing customer patterns, and reviewing lease terms and local demographics.

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About the Author

Sophie jointed the Nationwide team in 2020 and has been a Freelance Content Creator for over 15 years’ experience in the business‑for‑sale sector, specialising in retail, Commercial Property and Service Businesses. She has worked closely with business transfer agents and valuers across the UK, producing detailed guides on financial performance, due diligence and sector‑specific buying considerations.