The Top 5 Best Places to Start a Business in the UK

Finding the perfect place to jump-start your business can be quite difficult. With so many different countries and cities connected with the UK, one could get lost in all of the possibilities. These areas might not be the most obvious ones around the United Kingdom, but they have a lot of benefits that will hopefully set you on the right track down entrepreneurship! 

Brighton

The seaside city of Brighton has been regarded for the last ten years as one of the best places in the UK to live. This is due to its bohemian, and "friendly" atmosphere, as well as its beautiful seaviews. Brighton is a perfect place to start a business, and get away from the hussle and bussle that other English cities have to offer. Brighton is a tourist hotpsot, with Londoners commonly pouring in during the warmer months, meaning you will surge in sales during the summer; but it also has a steady group of locals that live all year which means the business never stops! There are also two universities near the Brighton area, so there is always an opportunity to meet a customer's needs. Brighton's center already has a differse variety of businesses from vintage shops, to breweries, and restaurants and everything in between. You'll have an easy time getting your business of the ground, while enjoying the seaside views! 

Edinburgh 

Being the capital of Scotland, Edinburgh has a lot of historical significance making it a great tourist attraction, and a home to plenty of established universities. This means that the city has plenty of willing customers, ready to buy things at a moment's notice. In addition, the city is known for its contributions to entrepreneurship, being one of the best place in the UK to start a business for its ease and convienience. It has a 40.8% business survival rate, making it one of the top places in the United Kingdom to get your business of the ground, and is the main reason it sits at one of the top spots of this list! 

Cardiff 

Wales is considered to be the most inexpensive places to live in the United Kingdom, and with Cardiff having a boom real estate, it's a great place to settle down and start-up a business. Cardiff is home to three major universities, meaning there are plenty of locals ready and willing to buy your goods or services. It also has fantastic assistance when it comes to starting a business, offering support through the Cardiff Central Enterprise Zone. This quaint city holds a wide variety of shops and merchants, so whether you plan on opening up a yoga studio, cafe or bookshop Cardiff has got you covered! 

Leeds

The small city of Leeds is perfectly connected, centerted in the perfect spot with roads leading to both London and Edinburgh, the city has tons of tourists and locals alike that flood in. It also has the fastest growing airport in the UK, making it a great connection, and destination city for many tourists residing outside of the United Kingdom. Leed's quaint atmosphere and rapid expansion provide many opportunities for the potential entrepreneur. With so much land and real estate available, you can easily find the perfect place to set up your new shop or restaurant. Leeds also provides great support for its local businesses, and in comparison with the rest of England is said to have a great "start-up and small business culture." If you're hoping to jump on a growing a city, before it gets too popular, Leeds is the perfect place for you. 

Glasgow

Probably one of the most popular cities on this list, Glasgow is a great and fun place to start a business. The city was ranked number one for small businesses in the United Kingdom in 2016, and since then has stayed on the top five list. Connected to many different universities as well as having huge tourist appeal, this Scottish region is definitely a great place to set up shop. And if you like diverse cultures and a rapidly growing city, Glasgow is the best in Scotland for both. Known for festering entreprnuership and ensuring small business growth, Glasgow would be an awesome place to start up your future business! 

Whether you plan to settle in England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, Surfpay has got you covered all across the UK! Remember every great business needs a great payment solution to get you off the ground, and Surfpay is the best app out there to ensure your contactless payments are safe and secure. Click here to sign up for our UK waiting list!

And make sure to follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin for weekly updates on all things Surfpay!