Choosing Which UK City To Start Your First Business

27 May 2026

Toby Patrick

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When it comes to the UK economy at the moment, a lot of prospective owners are probably of the mind that it's not the best time to start a new business. But this isn’t the case across the board. Numerous industries are either experiencing steady, consistent growth or are thriving on the chaos and remaining unfazed, like companies operating within AI and technology spaces.

While the type of industry is no doubt a huge factor that can determine the success of a business, in many cases, a company's location is just as important. Where you choose to settle can be influenced by several factors, from the cost of operations, employee wage expectations, rent, and so much more.

London

The UK’s capital is naturally home to the headquarters of a lot of very successful businesses, but with London’s high business rates, employee wage expectations and rental costs, setting up there can be eye-watering for a small, start-up business.

While some options a bit further out from the city might be more attractive in those aspects, it’s again dependent on the type of business you own. For example, a fashion retailer might thrive in London's city centre, as footfall, tourism, and overall population are higher than in any other major city. That being said, other areas can also be more attractive in terms of costs, such as a shopping centre in Essex and so forth.

It’s also worth noting that in 2023, the average turnover for a small business in London was just over 100,000, with 9% business growth.

Leeds

Known as one of the fastest-growing tech hubs in the North. Within the digital sector alone, there was a 125% growth above the national average, which screams new opportunities to start your own tech business here. Leeds is great for that area of business, but also holds the benefits of competitive business rates, much cheaper rental compared to southern areas, and you have the added advantage of being located in a skilled talent pool of university students, which allows you to build your company, train your business, and also offers affordable wages to begin with as you grow and enter a new market.

Manchester

England's second city and capital of the north is an unsurprisingly hub for a range of industries, with a history of success in the textile industry, but in recent years it has boasted promising opportunities for creative media and fashion, which are both going through periods of consistent growth.

Not to mention that Mancunians love their nightlife, so that would also be a promising opportunity, even if the hospitality industry is struggling by and large, bars in Manchester are having more success, as people there are heading straight to Irish bars for a pint, music and vibes so it’s something to consider for hospitality start-ups.

Fashion, like other cities such as London, is at Manchester’s core, but like other industries, it’s very competitive; that’s why incorporating a creative media element would allow new businesses within this field to thrive there.

Manchester as a whole can be expensive, but there are places where you can find a real bargain for rental units, there are also pretty competitive. It’s also worth considering that in 2023, Manchester's average business turnover was just under £90,000, with 4% growth that year.

Liverpool

Liverpool is another northern powerhouse with potential in a variety of fields and opportunities for professional services, such as tech and cybersecurity. Though it’s still a major UK city, its economy is slightly smaller than that of Manchester, while still growing consistently, but, on the bright side, operating costs are also generally lower.

There is an art to getting your foot in the door without being bled out in the first year on business rates and rent, so Liverpool is a great place to consider starting up. It might be an easier environment in which you can build your reputation, customer base, and make a name for yourself before expanding into other major cities.

Final Thoughts

When it comes to picking which city to start your start up it’s completely dependant on what industry you want to emerge into, what you can afford in terms of business rates, wage expectations and rent prices, as while you might not turn a profit in your first year or two, you don’t want to dig yourself into a hole that will burnout your business before you’ve even started.

The vast majority of cities tend to be tech and financial hubs, which just comes with the modern-day expectations and overall growth, but there are so many other industries that are also growing to consider, and choosing something you are passionate about can make individuals, whether it’s B2B or B2C, seem so much more inviting and interested in it compared to others.

Make sure you do your research in terms of growth within that industry in various locations over the last 5 to 10 years before setting up shop anywhere, as this will give a better insight into potential trends.

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The Cultural Stigma Around Cosmetic Surgery: Why Are We Still Judging?

Toby Patrick
Jul 23, 2025
3 min read

Gloved hands holding a translucent breast implant in a surgical setting. The person wears a blue gown with the text "Mölnlycke" visible.

Cosmetic surgery is popular all over the world, but it still comes with a stigma. While some see it as empowering, others view it as harmful, vain and against religious or cultural beliefs. Most people have come to accept cosmetic surgery and realise the benefits that it can bring to their lives. But throughout this article, we will answer the question of why we are still judging those who choose to go under the knife.

Where did the stigma come from?

The most obvious impact of cosmetic surgery comes from cultural and religious beliefs. Going back in time, you would find that many religions believe altering our appearance goes against the God responsible for creating us.

Islam is arguably the religion most against the use of cosmetic surgery. Although the beliefs of some are becoming slightly more relaxed, most radical Muslims would view cosmetic surgery as tampering with something which Allah has created.

This differs from Islam’s stance on plastic surgery or any procedure that is designed to correct functional issues with the body.

The media also plays a key role in stigmas, and this isn’t exclusive to cosmetic surgery. Over the years, mainstream media and social media have portrayed plastic surgery to be a way of achieving a fake look.

Woman in white lab coat and purple cap, wearing blue gloves, holds a syringe. Focused expression in a clinical setting.

Social Expectations and Cosmetic Surgery

The increasing pressure to look a certain way, driven by what we see in Hollywood and online, has played a part in our changing beliefs towards cosmetic surgery. Women, especially, are put under pressure to look younger, have bigger breasts, skinnier waists and so on. Celebrities who don’t follow the standard are often unfairly criticised in the media.

This has caused a conflict with the stigma towards cosmetic surgery. As a society, we have come to accept that we cannot criticise appearances and also look down on those who are simply trying to keep up with aesthetic trends.

While the stigma has become more relaxed, men also still face backlash for turning to cosmetic surgery. Altering appearances in artificial ways is generally seen as a feminine act by many, despite the fact that men face the same pressures as women to look a certain way.

Breaking The Stigma Fully

Going forward, there is still some work to be done in terms of breaking the stigma around cosmetic surgery. After all, why should someone be judged for what they choose to do with their own body? Especially when we consider that these choices often come from the pressures created by society.

Fortunately, the tide is turning. In South Korea, for example, cosmetic and plastic surgery are viewed as normal with no stigma attached. As a result, 1 in 5 South Koreans have undergone plastic surgery.

This demonstrates the need for continued education in the Western world about surgery. Cosmetic surgery in Manchester or New York will likely still be presented negatively by certain areas of the media.

Final Thoughts

There is no doubt that there is still a stigma attached to cosmetic surgery, but we do appear to be making steps towards breaking this stigma. Going forward, education will be key to this shift, and it’s imperative that future generations are educated around issues such as confidence and empowerment. At the same time, it’s important that we aren’t creating or promoting unsafe surgical trends. When it comes to striking the right balance, the world can look to South Korea, where surgery is used to boost confidence, with trends focusing on safe, minimally invasive procedures. Time will tell whether or not the Western world can reach the same point in terms of attitudes towards surgery.