Manchester is a great place to start a business in the UK. You’ll enjoy lower costs than trying to start a business in London, but you’ll still have access to a thriving market with lots of spending power.
Unemployment in Manchester is below the national average, which indicates a strong economy. You can also make the most of lower startup costs, including cheaper rents and rates.
Before starting a new business venture in Manchester, it’s important to understand the local market and what is currently driving demand. The pandemic changed the way people in Manchester live, work and socialise.
There is far more hybrid working, and individuals are looking for more and more unique experiences to occupy their free time. Manchester is also a city filled with pet lovers. With this in mind, we’re suggesting some highly profitable businesses you should consider starting in Manchester.
Pet care business
As mentioned above, Manchester is a city filled with pet lovers. You’ll see dogs on the trams, and cats peering down from almost every apartment building you pass in the city. To capitalise on this love and passion for pets, why not open a pet care business. Dog groomers, dog walks and pet sitting are all hugely popular choices. Many people chose to take on pets during the pandemic and are now looking for additional support now that they have returned to the office.
Catering company
Manchester is home to some unique artisanal producers, which makes life easier for local catering companies looking to offer something unique. From weddings to conferences, there’s no shortage of events that require professional catering in Manchester.
Make sure you carve out a niche for yourself and offer something truly unique. This will enable you to stand out from the competition and ensure you can quickly establish your Manchester-based company. Remember that Manchester is also perfectly positioned for serving events in Liverpool, Birmingham, Preston and Leeds. It’s just one of many mobile business ideas that makes sense to have a hub in Manchester.
Street food trader
Manunians love street food in all its forms. There are also plenty of opportunities to test your offering at pop-up events. Hatch, Escape to Freight Island, Arndale Food Market, Grub and Manchester Markets all offer the opportunity to start small with your street food business and hone your craft. Once you know you have something that the locals love, you can consider expanding into a permanent site. Many restaurants in MAnchester started out as street food traders.
Mobile beauty business
Beauty is a big deal in Manchester, but not everyone has time to get to the salon. Offering mobile beauty services, including hair, nails, massage, spray tans and eyelashes could be an incredibly lucrative business idea. The affluent suburbs of Didsbury, Chorlton and Altrincham are filled with potential customers.
eCommerce company
Many eCommerce companies got started in Manchester, including BooHoo, Pretty Little Thing and Lavish Alice. Manchester is a great place to start this type of business as you can access warehouse space to store your products at a lower cost than other places throughout the UK. If you decide to start another fashion company, Manchester also has the ideal backdrop for your urban photoshoots.
Decorating business
Property development and renovation is big business in Manchester, which is why offering a decorating service could be incredibly profitable. When there is less consumer confidence, home owners are also more likely to stay put and renovate rather than move house. And with new apartment buildings going up all the time, there’s no shortage of customers for decorating services in Manchester.
Meal prep service
Manchester is a health conscious city. The affluent workers in Spinningfields, Castlefield and Ancoats are always on the lookout for a way to meet their nutritional goals without spending a long time in the kitchen. This is where healthy meal prep delivery services come in handy. All you need is access to a professional prep kitchen and storage facility to make your culinary dreams a reality.
Elderly care
We often focus on the youthful side of Manchester, but there is an ageing population to think about too. Offering elderly care in the form of sheltered living, care homes and home care provisions can be hugely profitable and will give you a sense of joy in being able to help elderly people live their lives to the fullest.
