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 Night of Champions 2025: Mixed Reactions, Major Twists, and Cultural Tensions in Saudi Arabia

Paul Francis
Jun 30, 2025
3 min read

WWE Night of Champions Logo

WWE returned to Saudi Arabia this weekend with its latest premium live event, Night of Champions 2025, hosted in Riyadh’s King Saud University Stadium. The show promised high drama, championship clashes, and headline-grabbing moments. While it delivered on spectacle, it also exposed lingering challenges surrounding fan engagement and cultural tension, especially regarding the women’s division.

Night of Champions Major Matches and Talking Points

The card was packed with some of the biggest names in the company, with matches designed to shift ongoing narratives ahead of SummerSlam.

John Cena vs CM Punk headlined the evening in a match that ended in chaos. Interference from several factions, a surprise Money in the Bank cash-in attempt, and Cena's ambiguous tactics left fans split between awe and confusion. The match ended without a decisive victory, with WWE officials reportedly pleased by the “buzz” but fans critical of the overbooking.
Cody Rhodes triumphed in the King of the Ring final against Randy Orton. His increasingly aggressive in-ring style led some fans to speculate about a heel turn. The win sets Rhodes up for a title shot at SummerSlam, though many are watching for a deeper shift in his character.
Jacob Fatu lost the United States Championship to Solo Sikoa in a controversial finish. Tonga Loa and Tala Tonga interfered, leading to an unexpected pinfall. Online forums lit up with anger, accusing WWE of undermining Fatu’s momentum for shock value.
On the women's side, Rhea Ripley retained her title against Raquel Rodriguez in a hard-hitting contest. Though well-received by those watching from home, the live crowd remained subdued, reigniting long-standing concerns over how women’s matches are received in the region.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7POK62gxs78

Fan Reaction: Online Applause and Frustration

As with many recent WWE events, fan response was sharply divided. Social media praised the storytelling depth in Cena and Punk’s encounter, though many viewers said the finish was “cluttered” and “needlessly complicated.” Others celebrated Rhodes’ rise but worried that Orton was reduced to a stepping stone.

One point of near-universal disapproval was Jacob Fatu’s loss. Described by fans as “a waste of build-up,” the match has been seen as a misstep in what was otherwise an impressive run for Fatu.

Meanwhile, CM Punk received a cool reception in the arena. Having previously made negative comments about Saudi Arabia in a 2020 tweet, Punk addressed the crowd during the kickoff show with a public apology. The reaction remained mixed, with some booing and others remaining silent.

The Ongoing Cultural Challenge for WWE’s Female Performers

Despite WWE’s efforts to normalise women’s matches in Saudi Arabia, cultural friction remains. Female athletes must adhere to strict dress codes, wearing full-length body gear and avoiding any revealing attire. While this ensures their participation is permitted, it restricts performance style and character presentation.

Crowd reactions also reflect a clear divide. While international fans celebrate the inclusion of women on the card, Saudi audiences often respond with polite silence rather than vocal support. This creates a disjointed atmosphere, with emotional crowd energy that is vital to wrestling performance largely absent.

The Saudi General Entertainment Authority continues to place restrictions on promotional content involving female wrestlers, and while their inclusion is now standard practice, full acceptance remains a work in progress.

Saudi Arabia’s broader cultural landscape, deeply rooted in conservative interpretations of Islamic principles, continues to influence how entertainment is shaped. WWE, balancing business ambitions with progressive values, finds itself walking a diplomatic tightrope.

Looking Ahead: SummerSlam and Beyond

The next major stop for WWE is SummerSlam 2025, where many of the Night of Champions storylines will culminate. Rhodes is set to challenge for the Undisputed Universal Title, and the unresolved issues between Cena and Punk suggest a rematch may be on the horizon.

In the women’s division, Rhea Ripley’s dominance looks set to continue, though fans are calling for her to face fresher opponents. Questions also linger over whether Saudi Arabia will remain a regular host of PLEs given the ongoing backlash around cultural constraints.

Night of Champions 2025 provided unforgettable moments but not without controversy. The spectacle remains strong, and WWE’s global ambitions are evident. Yet, the reaction to this event proves that wrestling fans expect more than shock finishes and celebrity matches. They want coherence, fairness, and authentic representation, even when the show takes place under very different cultural conditions.

As WWE looks ahead, it must ask itself whether it is moving towards inclusivity or simply adapting to its environment — and whether its audience will follow.