Estimate your start-up costs
See the investment breakdown for launching Dillon's Strawberry Farm with vertical grow towers in Manchester.
Start small or scale up with Dillon's Strawberry farm
Three clear investment paths for starting vertical tower strawberry farming. Choose the tier that fits your budget and growth plan.
£5K
Starter setup
10 vertical towers. Perfect for testing the model or small-scale production.
£25K
Growth tier
50 towers. Mid-scale operation ready for consistent yield and local market reach.
£750K+
Commercial scale
500 towers and beyond. Full commercial operation with significant production capacity.
Where your investment goes
Every pound counts. Here's how startup costs break down across the eight core categories that build a working vertical farm at Dillon's Strawberry farm.
Full-spectrum LED grow lights for vertical strawberry towers
Dillon's Strawberry farm breaks down LED costs across three tiers. Entry-level fixtures start around £800–£1,200 per unit. Mid-range (recommended for vertical towers) runs £1,500–£2,500 per unit. Commercial-grade systems reach £3,000–£5,000+ per unit. Running costs depend on wattage and usage hours; expect £0.15–£0.40 per unit daily for energy.
Canopy costs break down by specification and setup
Each container canopy unit runs £3,000–£8,000 depending on span width, panel type, PVC specification, and additional features. For a 3-unit setup at Dillon's Strawberry farm, expect £9,000–£24,000+ when you factor in delivery and installation.
Running a shop and cafe from a shipping container
A fully equipped farm shop and cafe sets you apart. Fit-out costs range from £16,000 to £45,000 depending on finishes. Equipment (counters, till systems, fridges) adds £8,000 to £20,000. Licensing and permits run £500 to £2,000. Site prep and utilities cost £2,000 to £10,000. Total startup: £20,000 to £100,000+ based on your specification.
Bare root strawberry plants for 500 towers
Budget £4,000–£10,000 for 20,000 plants. Covers variety selection, frigo plant classes, bulk pricing, UK supplier options, and delivery costs with contingency built in.
Rainwater harvesting and drip irrigation for 500 towers
Total cost ranges from £7,095 to £13,700, with mid-range systems around £9,000–£11,000. This covers guttering, 80 water butts (220L each), filtration, pump zones, timers, and a complete drip distribution network across all towers.
Feeding 500 towers Year-round
Hybrid shop-bought concentrate plus a DIY food waste settling tank keeps nutrient costs lean. Setup runs £285–£580; annual feeding costs £14,300–£27,700. That's £29–£57 per tower per year. EC and pH testing included.
Common questions about start-up costs
Find answers to investor questions about tower costs, funding, break-even timelines, and the investment process.
Ready to grow with us?
Take action today. Sponsor a tower or speak with Anthony directly about your investment in Dillon's Strawberry Farm.