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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WWE Backlash 2025 Review

Connor Banks
May 13, 2025
3 min read

Rating: 7.5/10 – A strong post-Mania outing with memorable moments and well-executed storytelling

Torn paper design on a red background reveals bold text: "BACKLASH ST. LOUIS" in metallic and red letters, creating a dynamic effect. — Copyright WWE

WWE Backlash 2025 came live from the Enterprise Centre in St. Louis, Missouri, and it delivered a night full of solid wrestling, intriguing developments, and a few genuine surprises. While not every bout was a show-stealer, the overall presentation and narrative progression made for an enjoyable evening. Let’s break it down in match card order.

United States Championship Fatal 4-Way: Jacob Fatu (c) vs. Damian Priest vs. Drew McIntyre vs. LA Knight

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6mc1PGDX1U

The perfect choice to open the show - fast-paced, high-energy, and dripping with tension. Each competitor brought something unique: Drew’s brute force, Priest’s unpredictability, LA Knight’s charisma, and Fatu’s raw dominance. This match didn’t just entertain - it moved storylines forward beautifully.

The real headline was the surprise debut of Jeff Cobb, who intervened to help Fatu retain his title, seemingly under orders from Solo Sikoa. What made the moment particularly compelling was Fatu’s visible confusion—he clearly hadn’t been clued in on the plan, and it sets up fascinating internal tension within this Bloodline 2.0 which was absolutely needed particularly with the injuries to Tama Tonga and Tonga Loa. A thrilling way to start the night and a great bit of storytelling.

Women’s Intercontinental Championship: Lyra Valkyria (c) vs. Becky Lynch

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrNcqxkcxhg

Match of the night, no question. This was the moment Lyra Valkyria needed, and she delivered in spades. Becky was superb in the veteran role, pushing Lyra to her limits, while Lyra finally got to showcase her full potential on a major stage.

The in-ring storytelling was layered and emotionally charged, with well-timed false finishes and a clear narrative arc of the underdog stepping up. This didn’t just get Lyra over with the fans - it got her over with me. A star-making performance, and a brilliant match from start to finish.

Intercontinental Championship: “Dirty” Dominik Mysterio (c) vs. Penta

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRs2iPCDpzQ

This was good, but not their best. The action was crisp and engaging, and both men put in a solid shift, but it didn’t quite match the level of their previous clash on RAW, which still stands as their strongest effort to date.

Still, it served its purpose in advancing the ongoing story. JD McDonagh’s presence added tension, and Dom retained in typical fashion, keeping his heel momentum rolling. Not a show-stealer, but a decent middle-of-the-card contest.

Gunther vs. Pat McAfee

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZ6TZ5cHZ04

This turned out far better than I anticipated. I expected a semi-competitive match that would risk diluting Gunther’s aura, but instead, we got a masterclass squash. Gunther dominated, as he should, but Pat McAfee played his part to perfection and even got a few hope spots, even if they were quickly put back down again by the Ring General.

There was just enough drama to give fans a sliver of hope, without ever truly threatening Gunther’s dominance. It protected both men—Gunther remained a beast, and McAfee left with his credibility intact thanks to his resilience and the crowd’s support. A brilliant bit of booking.

Main Event – Undisputed WWE Championship: John Cena (c) vs. Randy Orton

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtlyHJHUPHc

This was a classic - everything a final chapter between two legends should be. Cena and Orton crafted a bout steeped in nostalgia, packed with callbacks to their many battles over the years. The pacing was deliberate, the crowd was hot, and every near-fall had weight.

Orton, performing in his hometown, gave it everything. Cena matched him step for step. The late interference from R-Truth was a fun call back to the previous Smackdown's where Truth had said he wanted to help his childhood hero, and most importantly,y didn’t take anything away from this spectacle.

If this really was their last encounter, it was a fitting and emotional conclusion to one of WWE’s greatest rivalries.

Backlash 2025 may not be remembered as an all-time classic, but it absolutely delivered where it needed to. It elevated new stars, progressed key storylines, and gave fans plenty to talk about. With standout performances from Lyra Valkyria, the surprise debut of Jeff Cobb, and the powerful send-off for Cena vs. Orton, it was a well-rounded and thoroughly enjoyable event.