These business ideas are backed by research from consulting firms and use many business idea generation techniques to develop these ideas.
List of Business Ideas for the UK
1. Brexit Business Lawyer
The Brexit vote has caused significant uncertainty for the entire United Kingdom, specifically in how company owners conduct business. This is because many laws related to how you conduct business will change once the Brexit deal is complete.
This United Kingdom business idea would help solve that problem by providing a corporate lawyer service to those businesses in the UK affected by the changes. The Brexit lawyer service would charge a fee per hour, and you’d help review any laws for the UK and the European Union to see how the business operations may need to change with the new policies in place.
If you have previous law experience or want to become a lawyer and enter a growing niche, this would be a great business to start.
2. Personal Budget and Money Management Service
According to studies, personal budgeting and money management are skills that many people in the UK need to improve. Money management and financial literacy are also growing issues in the nation as people feel like it’s becoming more and more of a problem. Additionally, there are many apps out there that people can use to manage their money or budget; however, if you don’t know how to budget and manage money in the first place, these apps are pointless.
That is where you can come in and start this business idea. To start this cost-effectively, you could prepare a set of budget templates and personal finance checklists for potential clients. You could reach out to people in your network to teach them how they can budget and manage their own money. You could charge a one-time teaching fee and an ongoing finance review fee to ensure your clients stay on track with their financial goals.
3. Affordable Seniors Living Complex Company
The growing senior population is a problem affecting the entire world. However, the UK is one of the countries experiencing this problem the worst. As people in the UK grow old, many people can’t afford to hire a private nurse for their home.
This UK company would provide seniors an affordable place to stay and receive healthcare. If you’re passionate about helping others and enjoy the company of the elderly, this could be a great company to start. First, see if there is a facility that someone can rent to you for a low price. If they know your intentions are to help others, especially seniors, they may be more inclined to give you a good deal. Once you rent the facility, you can look into renovations to make it suitable for living and market the service.
4. Smart Technology Property Management Group
The property management industry needs to catch up, considering the available technology. They have not implemented much innovative technology to make their lives and their tenant’s life easier. This could be a perfect idea if you are passionate about innovative technology or information technology and infrastructure.
First, you will want to set up a basic inventory of the components needed to convert a primary tenant’s house into a smart home. For instance, this may involve gathering details and programming instructions so lights automatically turn on when someone uses the front door at specific times. It may also be an alert system for when people are away from home. The property manager needs to know about a burst pipe. All these scenarios could be programmed using components that make up a smart home.
Once you have that, you can approach property managers and work with them on an ongoing basis to set up systems that allow them to know if there are emergencies that need to be taken care of, if lawns need to be cut, etc.
5. Import and Export Trade Consulting Firm
Brexit has also added significant difficulties when it comes to importing and exporting. Previously, all imports and exports would fall under the European Union law. However, now that the UK has decided to leave the European Union, these import and export laws will change.
The change in laws can be dramatic for some businesses, and they may need to learn how to navigate these changes. By starting the Import and Export Consulting Company, you can help small and medium-sized businesses navigate the differences in these laws as Brexit is implemented.
This company may involve helping business owners change suppliers to avoid higher import costs or may need to adjust their prices accordingly if they have to pay more for exporting their product to customers.
6. Employment and recruitment specialist
With the laws and policies changing in the UK, there could be demand for workers looking to change jobs to another country within the EU or North America. With this increase in demand, people may need help in their searches and relationship-building efforts as they look for new jobs. That is where you can start an employment agency. By specializing in either position within the UK or establishing careers for others internationally, you could help these people in need and charge a consulting fee. This idea will be perfect if you have HR experience or an extensive network of people who could hire others.
7. Warehouse and Storage Company
Amazon has changed the way people shop forever, and if the smaller retail outlets and small businesses don’t adjust accordingly, they could be put out of business. This is a significant problem as the United Kingdom’s economy is entirely dependent on the number of small businesses and the people they employ.
To fight this problem, you could start a company that would be a warehouse and storage facility. Other small businesses would pay you a monthly fee to use your warehouses and facilities, so they could house inventory shipped from your warehouse to the end consumer. Ultimately allowing them to start their online stores and compete with Amazon without sacrificing their product margins and brand name.
8. Rural renewable energy distribution Service
Renewal energy is now a significant energy source in the UK and many European places. However, the energy is only readily available if you can get it directly from the start, such as a windmill, or if you live in a rural area, you may still be dependent on other sources of electricity.
A Rural Renewable Energy Distribution Company could help solve that problem. By working with the renewable energy producers, as well as the rural energy companies who manage the energy sources, you could see if either party would be willing to pay you to hook up batteries to those renewable energy sources, so you could then transport that energy to other rural markets and areas where they need the extra point. This is a unique idea that may still need to be implemented.
9. Multi-language transcription service
Europe is full of people who speak different and multiple languages. This can be difficult for businesses to operate across Europe and even east into Asia and Russia. You could start a multi-language accurate transcription service to help the companies operating in these areas. Even if you don’t know multiple languages, you could find someone who does and then finds clients who will pre-pay for your assistance. Once the clients pay, you can pay your employees to begin the work, allowing you to start the business in the UK with low startup costs.
This service could also be operated entirely online because your clients could upload documents to an online portal on your website and let you know what languages they need to be transcribed too.
Human transcription services are a high-value service, so this could be a lucrative business if you get the attention of the right clients.
10. Headquarters relocation company
Again, due to Brexit, many companies are relocating their headquarters from the UK to other countries due to uncertainty about what is happening. And changes in tax laws could make it more profitable if companies move to other countries outside the UK.
If you have experience in tax law or would like to learn, this would be a great business idea in the UK, as many companies face problems and issues related to Brexit and taxes. If you have the knowledge, you can contact companies operating across the European Union.
11. Upcycled Furniture Business
Ever wanted to start a furniture business but didn’t want to enter into competition with some of the big-name furniture producers? With this business idea, you can help solve the problem of having a polluted world and start selling upcycled furniture online or in a brick-and-mortar store.
Upcycled furniture is old furniture or old materials that are reused and refurbished into newer furniture that people will buy and use to decorate their homes. The significant part of this business idea is that it can be started with little money and supports the growing sustainability trend. Many consumers now are looking at how their purchase decisions can affect the earth and the climate.
You could start by sourcing free furniture and old materials from friends, family, and strangers. Then you can refurbish them and list them on online marketplaces like Facebook Marketplace or other apps.
12. Supply Chain Management and Transition Specialist Company
As the business landscape changes with the UK leaving the European Union, many different supply chain and customer management tasks may need to change for businesses operating across Europe profitably.
By working with existing medium to large-size businesses, you’d work with the existing supply chain. They must ensure that business operations, profitability, and other aspects remain positive. You may also need to get new suppliers if the law changes make it unprofitable to do business. For instance, if your clients have a supplier that would no longer allow them to produce products profitably due to the changes in taxes that need to be paid, you may help the business find a new supplier or negotiate with the current. If you have supply chain management skills and like to haggle, this could be a great niche business to start.
13. Online Nurse Access Portal Service
There is a growing elderly population in the UK, and not all want to rely on the public health care system. A large demographic may even be unable to leave their home due to an illness or just old age.
To help these people, you could start an Online Nurse Access Portal that they could video call to talk to a doctor and see if they need to order a nurse in, which you could contract out at the beginning to keep costs low and then build out that service later.
Starting this business idea in a low-cost way could be done if you set this service up using a website that uses an online video calling service like Skype or EZtalk.
14. Women Career Transitioning Service
Research suggests that approximately three million women in the UK alone will need to transition their jobs into another field or career due to technological advances. Most companies have a large and disproportionate number of men in higher leadership roles. Most women are then stuck in the more administrative and repetitive functions that can quickly be taken over by AI and computers in the coming years.
Because of this problem, it's time that their businesses started to help these women succeed and grow. If you have a passion for helping women, you could begin the Women Career Transition Service to help them find new careers and grow into fields that aren’t threatened by AI. By working with them on an on-going basis, you can help them get a new job, learn what further training they need, and other steps they should take to be the most successful they can be.
This business would also be great because it will help narrow the gap between the number of men in high-level positions by getting more women in those positions. And it could also be run if you work full-time as your clients usually will.
15. Ireland traveling Consulting Firm
When the Brexit deal goes through, increased complications will cross the border between northern and southern Ireland. Only half of Ireland will be left in the European Union.
This consulting firm could specialize in helping people plan a seamless trip when crossing the border, traveling around the country, and having a fun trip. This could be also set up as an online business where you sell guides about amazing trips to Ireland and crossing the border seamlessly.
16. EU moving consulting and service
Due to all the changes in the UK, many people will want to move to other parts of the EU for more stability with their jobs and the political landscape. When people are looking for a new place to live, it can be challenging to find a great place if you don’t know the area.
If you have a strong knowledge of the different regions and areas of the multiple countries in the EU, you could start a service that would help people find a place to live in the desired location, using their set of criteria. A one-time location-finding fee could be charged to generate income. After settling in the area, people could pay more if you move them to the destination.
17. Connected Home Specialists Company
The average house age in the UK is quite old, likely 50+ years. Unlike in North America, where there is a lot of new construction, the UK has a lot of older homes. This prevents the opportunity for homeowners to have their homes “connected” and “smart.” Special flood prevention sensors, light sensors, and other fancy technology can’t be built into the house.
There could be some residents in the UK that want to have a smart home but don’t have to budget to tear down and rebuild the house as that is extremely expensive in the UK. Instead, they could hire your Connected Home Specialists company to set up their home as a smart home. This could include installing intelligent thermostats, special door locks, and light sensors.
Two business models could be used in this business.
The first would be to do a simple consulting session with the client and let them know the changes they can make to connect their home and the software needed.
The second business model would be conducting the review and installing it. With the second option, you’ll have to pay more for components and may need some construction knowledge, but you could charge your clients a lot more money.
18. Smart Appliances Manufacturer
Similar to the problem presented above, there aren’t many smart or connected homes in the UK simply because they don’t build many new homes, leaving the current ones standing, so there aren’t many options for a related or bright house. However, citizens of the UK are increasingly interested in having intelligent home appliances.
This increase in demand presents the opportunity to start an intelligent appliance manufacturing company. If you want to target a specific niche, you could create smaller smart appliances like mini-fridges, toasters, and coffee pots. So you aren’t jumping into a business like a laundry washer manufacturing where there could already be a lot of competition.
19. Personal and Corporate privacy compliance firm
People’s privacy is increasingly important, especially in the United Kingdom and many other parts of the European Union. Because of this, there is increased demand from both consumers and businesses to have safeguards in place and to protect people’s personal data.
However, there have been so many large data scandals in the recent past with Facebook, Cambridge Analytica, Whatsapp, and other companies. Consumers need to be more trusting of companies that collect data.
A corporate and personal data privacy company could be started to help people solve this issue. For example, you could consult with existing small to large businesses to see how they can improve their security. You could also work with consumers to help them protect their personal data and establish how much of it is there for the world to see.
20. Internet/ Offline Accessibility Business
Accessibility refers to how other people with disabilities, such as being blind or deaf, will interact and access your online or offline (brick-and-mortar) storefront. So many businesses don’t cater to these people, and it’s pretty sad. These people deserve to have services and products offered to them in a way that they can easily understand and enjoy it. For instance, many restaurants may not have menus in brail, so blind people can’t understand them.
This business idea would help solve that problem by providing accessibility services and products to existing businesses that would like to further cater to these people. For instance, you could start by approaching restaurants in your area to see if they would like to buy custom brail menus from you that you would create from their original menus and design.
There could also be audio versions for people who are blind and don’t necessarily read from Brazil. Or, if the person is deaf, you could work with employees to teach them primary sign language so they can communicate with everyone.
21. Facial and Voice Recognition Disturbance Company
The use of CCTVs in the UK is enormous. The main cities are almost completely covered when it comes to CCTV surveillance. For some, this may be an issue, or for others, it’s not. But for those with a problem with it, you could help them solve this fear by selling facial recognition disturbance masks that people could wear to avoid facial recognition.
This could also be a trendy business that could be expanded into China since they have a lot of facial recognition technology that may be an issue for certain people.
22. Vertical Farming Company
Farmers in the UK feel the pressures of climate change as they struggle with crop predictability and stability of the year-to-year difference in crop yields. Because of this, UK farmers face financial instability, and it’s increasingly tempting to sell their plots of land as they can receive large amounts of money for that.
To help fight this problem, you could work with the farmers to use pieces of their land and partner to build vertical farming buildings. These buildings could grow all types of crops on different building levels. The crops would also be perfect because each building level can be climate controlled, so there is no need to worry about crop yields falling due to a drought. Additionally, with these buildings, farmers could grow crops year-round.
To make money from this, you’d sell the crops to buyers and get a share of the profit, and the rest would be split with the farmer.
23. GDPR Compliance Company
Businesses in the European Union must comply with GDPR, a set of rules and regulations that companies must follow when interacting and doing business with people in the EU. For this reason, a GDPR Compliance company could be set up to help businesses in the UK that also operate in the EU comply with their business practices.
If you are interested in compliance or know the GDPR compliance laws, this could be a fascinating business idea for the UK. A large number of businesses in Africa, Asia, and North America also need to be GDPR compliant if they have EU customers. And there could be many who aren’t and don’t know how to become compliant.
24. Juice Manufacturing Business
If the Brexit deal goes through, juice import taxes will increase by about 22%, which could add a lot of expense to the businesses buying the juice. This increase may cause juice-related companies to want to switch suppliers and source the fluid within the country to save that percentage amount.
The Juice Manufacturing Business could be capital intensive, however, there could be a great payoff as many people in the UK may like that the product is made within the country and not imported from some faraway land, creating a larger carbon footprint.
25. Electric car repair company
Although many regular car repair companies exist, the Electric Car Repair Business specializes in fixing and repairing only electric cars. By deciding on this one niche, you can be viewed as the expert in electric vehicles in your area. With the increasing popularity of electric vehicles and regulations coming in place to prevent more gas cars on the road, there will be demand for repairs. In fact, by 2050, all cars on the street need to be zero-emissions anyways.
The electric car repair company would be different than a regular repair shop, as you may need to specialize in how batteries work. The benefit of only servicing electric cars is that some repair shops specializing in this in other areas receive special Tesla contracts. Hence, they are the only repair shop within a certain radius to service Tesla cars. Allowing you to establish a niche in this area.
