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Choosing Which UK City To Start Your First Business

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 SummerSlam 2025 – Night One Review

  • Writer: Paul Francis
    Paul Francis
  • Aug 5, 2025
  • 4 min read

SummerSlam returned in 2025 with a bold shift in format. For the first time in its long history, WWE's summer classic spanned two nights. Night One delivered a mix of storytelling, athleticism, and surprises, as rising stars met seasoned veterans in a card that set the tone for the weekend.


Roman Reigns & Jey Uso vs Bron Breakker & Bronson Reed

Roman Reigns, who had been off television since his WrestleMania defeat earlier in the year, made a dramatic return to tag with his cousin Jey Uso. The Bloodline's future has been uncertain since internal splits began in 2023, and this match marked the first time Reigns and Uso had teamed up since their highly publicised feud.


Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed, two of WWE's strongest powerhouse competitors, controlled the early stages. Their size and raw aggression made them difficult to counter, but the Reigns-Uso pairing brought familiarity and resilience.


The turning point came when Breakker set up for a spear on Jey. Reigns intervened, taking the brunt of the move to protect his cousin. The moment felt symbolic, possibly hinting at a more honourable Reigns going forward. Jey capitalised with a Superkick and a splash for the win.


Winners: Roman Reigns & Jey Uso




Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss vs Raquel Rodriguez & Roxanne Perez

Women’s Tag Team Championship

This match marked the surprise formation of a new alliance between Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss. Flair had been chasing a record-breaking tag title run, while Bliss had returned from maternity leave earlier in the year with a more aggressive in-ring persona.


Raquel Rodriguez and Roxanne Perez entered as champions, combining strength and speed. They looked well-matched on paper, but cracks began to show mid-match when communication broke down between the two.


Flair hit a Natural Selection on Perez after Bliss took Rodriguez out with a DDT on the floor. With Perez isolated, Bliss landed Sister Abigail and covered her for the pin.


Winners and New Champions: Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss




Logan Paul & Drew McIntyre vs Randy Orton & Jelly Roll

In one of the night's more unpredictable attractions, internet star Logan Paul teamed up with Drew McIntyre to face the veteran Randy Orton and country singer Jelly Roll, making his in-ring debut.


While many fans assumed Jelly Roll would serve as comic relief, the musician held his own surprisingly well, even landing a solid elbow drop and a spinebuster with Orton’s guidance. However, inexperience caught up with him.


After a missed tag attempt and a cheap shot from Paul behind the referee’s back, McIntyre landed a Claymore on Orton, knocking him out of the ring. Paul then pinned Jelly Roll after a springboard lariat.


Winners: Logan Paul & Drew McIntyre




Sami Zayn vs Karrion Kross

Sami Zayn has been teetering on the edge of a character shift for months. His promos have hinted at internal conflict, and this match against Kross, a brutal and psychologically intense performer, felt like a crossroads moment.


Kross dominated the first half of the bout, grinding Zayn down with methodical holds and repeated suplexes. Scarlett’s presence at ringside added an uneasy tension, but Zayn began to rally with a series of dives and a Blue Thunder Bomb.


The ending came as Zayn resisted the temptation to use a steel chair introduced by Scarlett. He instead countered Kross’s finisher with a Helluva Kick and scored the pin. The crowd appreciated the show of honour, but there was still an uneasy undertone to Zayn’s demeanour.


Winner: Sami Zayn




Tiffany Stratton (c) vs Jade Cargill

WWE Women’s Championship

This was a battle of athleticism and ego. Tiffany Stratton, the self-described "centre of the universe," defended against the physically dominant Jade Cargill, who had arrived in WWE with major buzz following her time in AEW.


Cargill’s strength overwhelmed Stratton in the early minutes, with a series of deadlifts and press slams. But Stratton showcased her experience, targeting Cargill’s legs and slowing the pace with technical submissions.


The match concluded with Stratton slipping out of Jaded and landing her Prettiest Moonsault Ever, a triple jump moonsault, to retain her title in decisive fashion.


Winner and Still Champion: Tiffany Stratton




Gunther (c) vs CM Punk

World Heavyweight Championship

Gunther had held the World Heavyweight Championship for nearly a year, bringing a sense of legitimacy and brutality to the belt. CM Punk, returning to main event form after months of injury and controversy, stepped up as challenger in what was billed as a clash of philosophies: discipline versus defiance.


The match was slow-building but intense. Gunther’s powerful chops and suplexes wore Punk down, while Punk countered with submission attempts and gritty determination.

Punk managed to roll out of a powerbomb attempt and locked in the Anaconda Vise. Gunther nearly reached the ropes but eventually tapped, ending his title reign.


Just as Punk began to celebrate, Seth Rollins’ music hit. Limping down the ramp on crutches, Rollins revealed he was faking the injury, cashed in his Money in the Bank contract, and hit a Stomp on Punk as the referee rang the bell.


Three seconds later, Rollins was the new World Heavyweight Champion.


Winner: CM PunkNew Champion (via Cash-In): Seth Rollins





Location: MetLife Stadium, New Jersey

Date: Saturday, August 2, 2025

Attendance: Over 70,000

Host: Cardi B


SummerSlam’s first night combined emotional beats with fast-paced action. Reigns’ return, Rollins’ shock cash-in, and Stratton’s successful title defence were among the highlights. While not every bout was a show-stealer, the groundwork laid here added depth and anticipation for Night Two.

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