Cafés, restaurants, shops and salons
Can You Charge Customers a Fee for Paying by Card in the UK?
The UK rules on card surcharges in plain English, what you can charge business cards, and the legal ways to cover your card fees.
Read the guideTrustPOS guides
Card payments,
explained plainly.
Straight answers to the questions owners ask about card machine fees, tills and statements.
Cafés and coffee shops
Card Machine Fees for Cafés: Why Small Bills Cost More
How UK cafés really pay to take cards, why a few pence per payment matters on a £4 coffee, and how to work out which pricing suits you.
Read the guideMarket traders, food trucks and event vendors
Card Machines for Market Stalls & Food Trucks
What to look for in a card machine for a market stall, food truck or event pitch, and how to avoid fixed monthly machine charges in quiet weeks.
Read the guideUK café, restaurant and independent business owners
Debit vs Credit Card Fees for UK Businesses
Why debit and credit payments can cost your business different amounts, what the interchange caps cover, and how to compare your actual monthly bill.
Read the guideAny UK business taking card payments
How to Read a Merchant Statement: Card Fees Explained
What each part of a UK merchant (card machine) statement means, which fees to look for, and how to work out what taking cards really costs you.
Read the guideAny UK business taking card payments
Switch Card Machine Provider: Costs & Checklist
A step-by-step guide to switching card machine provider in the UK, from checking your contracts and weighing exit fees to planning the changeover.
Read the guideSalons, clinics, trades, takeaways and caterers
Taking Card Payments Over the Phone: UK Guide
The two ways UK businesses take card payments and deposits over the phone, how to keep card details safe, and what to check before you start.
Read the guideSmall UK businesses using or considering SumUp
SumUp vs Shift4 Solo: UK Card Machine Costs Compared
Comparing SumUp with a free Shift4 Solo card machine? See the fees, reader cost and contract side by side, with worked examples for small UK businesses.
Read the guideSelf-employed, mobile and travelling UK businesses
Taking Card Payments on the Go: Self-Employed UK Guide
The four ways self-employed and mobile UK businesses take card payments on the go, what each costs, and what to check before you choose.
Read the guideRestaurants, cafés and takeaways
What Does a Restaurant Till Cost in the UK? (2026 Guide)
The real cost of a restaurant or café till in the UK, from software and hardware to card fees and hidden charges, explained plainly.
Read the guideNew and soon-to-open UK businesses
What You Need to Get a Card Machine as a New Business (UK)
The details and documents a new UK business needs to apply for a card machine, how to keep them safe, and how to choose your first setup.
Read the guideUK cafés, restaurants and independent businesses managing cash flow
When Do Card Payments Reach Your Business Account?
Understand instant and next-day card settlements, account destinations, cut-offs and weekend questions before choosing payments for your UK business.
Read the guideIndependent UK restaurants, cafés and caterers
Restaurant Chargebacks UK: How to Prepare a Response
Received a restaurant payment dispute? Identify the transaction, check your response deadline and organise booking, service and refund records.
Read the guideUK restaurant, café and takeaway owners choosing a till
Restaurant POS Demo Checklist Before You Sign
Take your real menu to a POS demo. Use this checklist to test service, compare the full quote and check support before choosing a restaurant till.
Read the guideIndependent UK restaurants, cafés and caterers taking consumer bookings
Taking Restaurant Booking Deposits in the UK
Plan a clear restaurant deposit process, explain cancellation terms, record payments and check remote-payment costs before taking money from guests.
Read the guide