How Much Does It Cost to Rent a Commercial Kitchen in the UK?
Real pricing data from 100+ UK kitchens. From £15/hour for shared spaces to £8,000/month for London production kitchens. All costs explained.
Written by
James Mitchell
Ghost Kitchen Operations Director & Industry Expert
Quick Answer: UK Commercial Kitchen Rental Costs
Hourly Rate
£15-65
2-4 hour minimum
Daily Rate
£85-400
8-10 hours access
Monthly Rate
£750-8k
24/7 or allocated hours
Total monthly cost (including utilities, storage, insurance): £900-10,000 depending on city and kitchen type. London costs 50-100% more than provincial cities.
Commercial Kitchen Rental Costs by City
London
Hourly
£25-65/hour
Daily
£150-400/day
Monthly
£2,500-8,000/month
Premium locations in Zones 1-2 cost 40-60% more than outer zones
Manchester
Hourly
£18-45/hour
Daily
£100-280/day
Monthly
£1,500-4,000/month
City centre vs suburbs: 30% price difference
Birmingham
Hourly
£15-40/hour
Daily
£95-250/day
Monthly
£1,400-3,500/month
Best value among major cities
Leeds
Hourly
£18-38/hour
Daily
£100-220/day
Monthly
£1,200-3,200/month
Growing ghost kitchen market with competitive rates
Bristol
Hourly
£20-45/hour
Daily
£110-280/day
Monthly
£1,600-3,800/month
Limited supply drives higher prices
Edinburgh
Hourly
£22-50/hour
Daily
£120-300/day
Monthly
£1,800-4,200/month
Seasonal pricing during festivals (Aug/Dec)
Glasgow
Hourly
£16-38/hour
Daily
£90-220/day
Monthly
£1,200-2,800/month
Most affordable major Scottish city
Sheffield
Hourly
£15-35/hour
Daily
£85-200/day
Monthly
£1,000-2,500/month
Excellent value with good facilities
Cost by Kitchen Type
Shared Kitchen Space
Setup fees: £0-300
Included:
- Shared cooking equipment
- Allocated time slots
- Communal storage (limited)
- Basic amenities included
Best for: Startups, testing recipes, low-volume production
Private Ghost Kitchen
Setup fees: £300-800
Included:
- Dedicated cooking space
- 24/7 access (usually)
- Private storage area
- Delivery platform integration
Best for: Delivery brands, virtual restaurants, consistent production
Catering Kitchen
Setup fees: £500-1,500
Included:
- Large production capacity
- Event equipment included
- Loading dock access
- Walk-in cold storage
Best for: Event catering, corporate meals, large-scale production
Specialist Kitchen (Bakery/Halal)
Setup fees: £200-600
Included:
- Specialized equipment (ovens/certification)
- Dedicated production areas
- Allergen separation available
- Industry-specific compliance
Best for: Bakeries, halal catering, allergen-free production
Hidden Costs & Additional Fees
The advertised rental price is rarely your total cost. Budget for these additional expenses that catch many first-time renters by surprise:
Utilities
£200-800/monthOften NOT included. Gas/electric for high-heat cooking adds £400-800. Some operators include in base rate, always confirm.
Business Insurance
£400-1,200/yearPublic liability (£5M minimum), employers liability if hiring staff. Some kitchens require proof before access.
Storage Fees
£50-300/monthDry storage £50-150/month, cold storage £100-300/month. Often charged separately from kitchen rental.
Cleaning & Waste
£100-400/monthDeep cleaning £100-200/month, waste collection £50-200/month. Grease trap servicing £50-150/quarter.
Parking & Loading
£80-250/monthDedicated parking/loading bay access. Central London up to £250/month, provincial cities £80-120.
Security Deposit
1-2 months rent£1,500-6,000 upfront depending on location. Refundable after contract if no damage/arrears.
💡 Always Ask About:
Real-World Cost Examples
Startup Ghost Kitchen (Manchester)
Monthly Breakdown:
Upfront Costs:
£4,400 (deposit) + £800 (setup fees) = £5,200
First month total: £5,200 + £2,600/month = £7,800
Weekend Baker (Shared Kitchen, Birmingham)
Monthly Breakdown:
Upfront Costs:
£500 (deposit) + £0 (no setup) = £500
First month total: £500 + £660/month = £1,160
Catering Company (London)
Monthly Breakdown:
Upfront Costs:
£11,000 (deposit) + £1,200 (setup) = £12,200
First month total: £12,200 + £7,170/month = £19,370
8 Ways to Reduce Kitchen Rental Costs
Book off-peak hours: 20-40% discount for night/early morning slots (11pm-7am)
Annual contracts: 10-20% discount vs monthly rolling contracts
Share with another business: Split costs 50/50 if complementary schedules
Start hourly, scale up: Test viability at £15-25/hour before committing to £1,500+/month
Negotiate utilities inclusion: Ask for fixed-rate utilities instead of pay-as-use
Use existing storage: Avoid extra storage fees by optimizing delivery schedules
Group operator discounts: Some operators offer 5-15% off for multiple units
Seasonal pricing: Winter months (Jan-Mar) often 10-15% cheaper outside London
Essential Equipment to Budget For
Beyond rent, factor in these essential supplies:
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James Mitchell
Ghost Kitchen Operations Director & Industry Expert
With 15 years in the food service industry, James Mitchell has managed operations for multiple ghost kitchen networks across the UK. He specializes in delivery-only kitchen models, kitchen equipment procurement, and helping startups scale their food businesses efficiently.
Areas of Expertise
Credentials
- MBA in Hospitality Management
- Former Operations Director at major ghost kitchen operator
- Food Hygiene Level 4 Certified
- 15+ years food service industry
- Managed 20+ dark kitchen locations