27 Profitable Business Ideas To Start In Manchester UK (2024)
Interested in starting a business in Manchester UK?
The city is the second largest in England and has a population of over 2 million people. It is also one of the most visited cities in the UK, with over 8 million visitors each year.
Manchester is a great place to start a business, especially if you're looking to make a name for yourself in the UK. There are tons of resources available, from grants and loans to networking events and mentorship programs.
There are many reasons to start a business in Manchester, including:
- A strong economy with a lower unemployment rate
- An affordable cost of living compared to London (the capital) and other major cities
Here is a list of the best business ideas you can start in Manchester.
1. Become a real estate agent
Real estate agents are professionals who assist clients in marketing and selling their properties. They also assist the buyers in purchasing properties. Their services include meeting clients, advising them about market conditions, and providing guidance through the process of buying or selling properties.
A real estate career can be financially rewarding. However, the work requires good management skills, organization skills, customer service, handling complex paperwork and socially promoting yourself.
The pros of becoming a real estate agent include earning extra commission from clients and also setting your own working hours.
How much you can make: $5,000 — $1,500,000/month
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
Residential real estate company, Vesta Preferred, celebrates their 10th year of operation with 80% referral-based business and focus on relationship building, recently achieving their goal of 1000 new leases and $120M in real estate sales in 2019.
2. Start a recruiting agency
The global online recruitment market size was $29B in 2019 and is projected to reach $43B by 2027.
The best way to assess the success of a Recruiting Agency is to review what their clients say about them and the results achieved for those clients.
As a recruiter, you dream of landing your first client, but once you do, you realize it’s only the start of what you hope will be a successful business. Have you ever wondered how to start a recruiting agency business? There’s so much you can learn from books, but nothing beats getting real-world experience.
How much you can make: $100 — $320,000/month
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
DistantJob is a unique recruitment agency that specializes in finding full-time remote employees, and with $3 million in annual revenue, they offer small to medium-sized tech companies an edge over big competitors who are not willing to hire remotely.
3. Start a digital marketing business
Digital marketing businesses serve local and international companies to expand their reach and grow revenue. A top reason digital marketing is so exciting is that the field is constantly evolving and is easy to learn.
If you plan to start a digital marketing business, educate yourself and understand how digital marketing agencies work. Then, focus on building your digital skills and advancing your career through online digital marketing courses.
To stand out, find a digital marketing niche and focus on the audience interested in your services.
How much you can make: $100 — $1,250,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
H-supertools founder Hasan developed a set of free SEO and digital marketing tools generating $2k per month in profit using Google Adsense, affiliate marketing, selling ad spaces, and email, plans to launch a membership option, and has attained over 80k registered users and 300k monthly visits in less than two years.
4. Start a catering business
A catering business is responsible for providing food & beverage-related services for vast types of events.
Catering businesses are known to be more flexible than other businesses because they don’t have to worry about location or pricing and can even work 24/7. They can cater anywhere and offer any price point that they want.
However, starting a catering business requires a lot of planning.
To start a successful catering business , you'll need to plan and prepare menus, manage budgets, handle clients, and more.
In addition, catering allows you to meet more people and show off your cooking skills.
How much you can make: $4,000 — $6,000,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
Spokeo is a people information service helping over 15 million users a month search and connect with others through organizing over 14 billion records into easy-to-understand reports generating over $6M per month.
5. Start a travel agency
Are you a passionate traveler with entrepreneurial skills? Then starting a travel agency can be a great career choice for you.
As a travel agency, you'll be responsible for linking travelers to providers of all the travel and tourism-related services such as accommodation, transportation, sightseeing, tour guides, local adventure, etc.
Starting an online travel agency is a lot easier than you might think. You'll need to perform market research, get a few necessary certifications (such as your IATA number), study competition, build a website, and do proper marketing.
To maximize earnings, negotiate discounts from the industry service providers, and charge travelers within the market rate.
How much you can make: $1,000 — $1,500,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $1,250 (?)
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
Marissa Daniels runs a successful travel agency, Spread Your Wings Travel, that hit $100,000 in sales within a year of launch and provides payment plan options for its all-inclusive vacations, and she hopes to help 100 families supplement their income through the business.
6. Start an event management agency
The event management agency oversees all logistics leading up to and during an event, whether a conference, a wedding, or an organized gathering. The event management agency executes the event plans by managing staff, finances, and vendor relationships.
The demand for event management services will grow by 18 percent in a few years. If you love organizing parties and corporate events, an event management agency could be your best business. The event management business has huge earning potential, provides you with networking opportunities, and builds your creative skills.
To start your own event management business, gain event planning skills and experience, and determine your event planning market or the target audience. To increase business success potential, develop an expansive network and staffing resources.
How much you can make: $108,000 — $500,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $750 (?)
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
A successful ticketing platform that grew from a side project into a business that issues over 5 million tickets annually, using a combination of cold calling, word of mouth, and partnerships to attract and retain customers while navigating the challenges of COVID-19.
7. Start a coffee cafe business
A coffee shop is a popular spot for customers to enjoy freshly brewed coffee, tea, and light snacks in a comfortable and welcoming environment.
These cafes are typically furnished with comfortable seating, free Wi-Fi, and a pleasant ambiance that provides a relaxed environment for people to gather, work or unwind.
To succeed in this business, it is essential to offer high-quality coffee, create a pleasant atmosphere, and provide excellent customer service.
With the increasing demand for specialty coffee experiences, starting a coffee cafe can be a lucrative business opportunity that caters to the widespread love for coffee and the need for communal spaces to enjoy it.
How much you can make: $13,000/month
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
Chicago based Ignite Technology and Innovation-owned Momentum Coffee & Coworking, which focuses on coffee, coworking, community, and event space, rakes in about $17-20k a month in revenue, mostly from online and offline advertising, and just celebrated their first anniversary, with plans to open 2 more locations in Chicago in under-resourced communities.
8. Start a financial consulting business
Financial consulting is a business that helps individuals and businesses manage their financial affairs. Managing financial affairs include creating financial plans, analyzing financial data, and advising investment and financial decision-making.
To start a financial consulting business, you will need a strong understanding of financial principles and practices and excellent communication and problem-solving skills. You may also need to obtain necessary licenses or certifications, such as a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation.
To start the business, you must create a business plan, establish a business structure (such as a sole proprietorship or LLC), and identify your target market. You may also need to secure financing and create a marketing plan to attract clients. It is also important to network with other professionals in the financial industry and stay up-to-date on the latest trends and developments in the field.
How much you can make: $12,000 — $2,000,000/month
How long does it take to build: 150 days (?)
ProjectionHub helps entrepreneurs create financial projections using a library of 50+ CPA-developed financial projection spreadsheet templates, generating over $20,000 per month in revenue without the need for software subscription models.
9. Start a fitness coaching business
Did you know that more and more people are embracing healthier lifestyles these days? That's why there's a high demand for fitness services worldwide.
Starting a fitness coaching business is one of the best ways to follow your passion and make money doing it.
If you love people and have an interest in helping them achieve their health goals, starting a fitness coaching business may be right for you. It can be as simple as providing one-on-one training, or you can offer group sessions.
How much you can make: $9,000 — $59,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $1,500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
FitSW founder Jacob Montoya bootstrapped his company to $25K monthly revenue, helping over 20,000 personal trainers manage their businesses through software that enables them to create workouts, track progress, plan meals, accept payments, and manage schedules, and has now expanded to include FindTrainGain, enabling people to join live online fitness classes from the comfort of their homes.
10. Start a home care business
Starting a home care business might be closer to your calling than you think. A home care business involves providing non-medical services to seniors or people with disabilities who prefer to stay in their homes rather than moving to a facility.
Your primary tasks include helping with daily activities like meal preparation, personal hygiene, and companionship. Importantly, it requires a dedication to delivering compassionate and professional care.
This business opportunity taps into the growing demand for at-home care services, driven by an aging population. While setting up the business requires thorough planning and certifications, the rewards—both financially and personally—can be substantial.
With the satisfaction of making a real difference in people's lives, a home care business offers a fulfilling way to combine empathy with entrepreneurship. If you’ve ever felt a pull toward caregiving, this venture could be the meaningful business you’ve been waiting for.
How much you can make: $27,500 — $250,000/month
How long does it take to build: 105 days (?)
The CareSide scaled to $5 million in revenue over 3 years by utilizing a data-driven approach to sales and marketing, with a focus on Google Adwords and Facebook ads, and implementing extensive automation into back end systems.
11. Start an in-home senior care business
With the busy lifestyle, family members are often absent and employ in-home caregivers to look after the elderly parents.
Caregivers assist the elderly with personal care routines, including bathing, grooming, dressing, toileting, and exercising. Caregivers also oversee medication & prescription usage and administer medicine.
Researchers anticipate a shortage of more than 100,000 caregivers for the elderly in the next decade. Therefore, starting an in-home senior care business is a great opportunity if you enjoy caring for the elderly and spending time with them. You can choose to work as an overnight caregiver or whichever work schedule suits you.
How much you can make: $250,000/month
How long does it take to build: 150 days (?)
The CareSide scaled to $5 million in revenue over 3 years by utilizing a data-driven approach to sales and marketing, with a focus on Google Adwords and Facebook ads, and implementing extensive automation into back end systems.
12. Become an IT consultant
Are you an IT graduate still looking for that dream job? Then becoming an IT consultant might be the right choice for you.
An IT consultant is an external analyst in charge of evaluating a company’s IT systems and helping them meets its business objectives. IT consultants analyze and diagnose a company’s IT infrastructure, understand the client’s needs, and design solutions to help companies’ IT problems.
How much you can make: $2,100 — $4,166,667/month
How much does it cost to start: $500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 45 days (?)
This case study features Md. Yousuf Ali, the founder of Rank Trends, who shares how he started a successful digital marketing agency, which generated a revenue of over $6k per month through SEO and video production services.
13. Start a waste management business
Waste management is a booming industry with a lot of potential for growth. Waste management companies are in charge of collecting and transporting waste from households, business areas, and other sources. They also collect recyclable materials and sell them to recycling centers.
The market for waste management is huge, but it may be difficult to enter due to the high capital requirements. However, if you have the resources and expertise, there's a lot of opportunity to make it big in this industry.
How much you can make: $6,500 — $230,000/month
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
This case study showcases the story of a locally owned and operated residential waste removal business based in Colorado Springs started with a pick-up truck and a $35k loan, which now has 51 dumpsters, two roll-off dumpster delivery trucks, two residential garbage trucks, and is projecting $700-800k in sales for 2020.
14. Start a legal consulting business
Starting a legal consulting business, whether for small or large businesses, startups and entrepreneurs, or even individuals, is a rewarding career. It involves significant writing work to establish the business and deal with clients. Make sure to build an online presence, as it will help you get clients by leveraging your reputation by writing high-quality content.
Legal consultants market their legal expertise to corporations, institutions, governments, and individuals. According to experts, the legal industry is witnessing a growth phase that may not slow anytime soon. If you are a registered advocate, you can start your legal services firm.
How much you can make: $15,000 — $750,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $3,750 (?)
How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)
This husband and wife duo started a wedding consultancy agency, 'Getting Married in Denmark', which has gone from doing 5-10 weddings a month to 80-100 weddings a month in just 4 years, massively growing their revenue.
15. Start a herbal and natural products business
In a world increasingly conscious of what we put into our bodies, a herbal and natural products business stands out as a wise investment. Offering a range of products from organic teas to all-natural skincare, this venture taps into the growing demand for wellness and sustainability.
Starting this business involves sourcing high-quality, natural ingredients and crafting or reselling products that improve well-being. It's more than a business; it’s a lifestyle commitment to health and eco-friendliness.
Customers are drawn to products that promise fewer chemicals and more benefits. By emphasizing transparency and quality, you can build a loyal customer base.
Setting up an online store and leveraging social media can amplify your reach. The startup cost can be low, focusing on compelling marketing and robust supply chains. If you're passionate about health, going natural could be your next successful endeavor.
How much you can make: $39,999 — $500,000/month
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Lost Empire Herbs co-founder and CEO Logan Christopher shares how he built an ecommerce business specializing in high-quality, phyto-androgenic herbs that support hormone systems, going from zero to mid-seven figures in revenue, and discusses strategies including affiliate marketing and email-and-content marketing.
16. Start an interior decorating business
Interior design is one of the most exciting and rewarding fields to enter. Interior designers help clients create functional, beautiful spaces that reflect their personalities.
The demand for Interior decor is booming and showing no signs of slowing soon. If you love enhancing the look of interior spaces, starting an interior décor business can be a great business idea.
To start an interior décor business, you must possess a working knowledge of space planning, textiles, color schemes, and more. You will work with architects, engineers, and builders to plan the look and function of indoor spaces.
How much you can make: $400 — $110,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 75 days (?)
Mother and daughter duo turn passion for antiques and design into a boutique design firm with over $1 million in annual revenue and hundreds of trophy projects, showcasing the importance of grit, determination, and passion in building a successful business.
17. Start a stock photography business
Stock photography is typically sold on an exclusive basis to one buyer for a single usage fee. Stock photos are often available in different sizes, resolutions, and file formats. Businesses most commonly use stock photos for marketing purposes.
Stock photography is the supply of photographs often licensed for specific uses. Stock photos are the perfect marketing and advertising resource for website owners and bloggers.
You can build an impressive portfolio and earn a passive income by uploading high-quality stock photos.
To start a stock photography business , invest in some good photography gear and learn how to take stock photos. An excellent online presence can help you sell your stock photos faster and at profitable margins.
How much you can make: $1,200 — $45,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $3,500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Pro Photo Studio founder Tsour Lee Adato shares how she turned a $5k investment into a business that services over 500 clients annually and makes approximately $350k per year with plans to expand and become a 7-figure business while offering advice to fellow entrepreneurs to always be innovating, learning and growing, and not to undervalue themselves.
18. Start a mobile app development business
Mobile app development is the process of creating software applications that run on mobile devices. These apps can be used for a variety of purposes, including games, productivity, and social networking.
Starting a mobile app development business is a great way to enter the world of software development. This type of company is growing in popularity as businesses are looking for ways to reach their customers through mobile apps.
To start a mobile app development company, you need to have strong technical skills and be able to develop high-quality software. You should also have a good understanding of how to market and sell mobile apps
How much you can make: $6,000 — $700,000/month
How long does it take to build: 120 days (?)
This case study features Md. Yousuf Ali, the founder of Rank Trends, who shares how he started a successful digital marketing agency, which generated a revenue of over $6k per month through SEO and video production services.
19. Start a food delivery business
In today’s busy lifestyles and schedules, cooking is no longer a priority to many. People like to order-in food from their nearest restaurants or food joints and enjoy a meal in the comfort of their homes.
The food delivery business is like a courier service through which restaurants deliver food to their customers.
You can offer retail food delivery services to restaurants within your locality if you have a truck. Customers order through a restaurant or grocer’s website, and the owners contact you to deliver.
How much you can make: $14,000 — $1,800,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $3,500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
Food Fleet grew over 160% in just one year and managed over 20 million in sales for its clients, securing multiple contracts with the likes of Sodexo, Levy Restaurants and more, due to its understanding of catering client needs and its advanced turnkey and design services.
20. Start a nutritional advisory business
Nutrition is a critical part of health and development. Better nutrition results in improved health, robust immune systems, and a lower risk of infectious diseases.
With the risk of new and risky diseases such as coronavirus upon us, we need to improve our nutrition habits to ensure stronger immunity systems.
Therefore, starting a nutritionist advisory business is such a noble business idea. Nutritional advisors use food science to help clients make better choices with their food intake.
To become a nutritionist, you need a bachelor's degree in nutrition and complete a supervised dietetic internship.
How much you can make: $13,000 — $250,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $3,499 (?)
How long does it take to build: 230 days (?)
A founder built a successful sports nutrition company from scratch, focusing on creating all-natural supplements for martial arts athletes, which now generates over $250,000 a month in revenue by prioritizing customer experience and using tools like Shopify, Klaviyo, Postscript, and Gempages.
21. Start a dry cleaners business
Dry cleaning is a business that takes clothing, linens, and other fabrics and cleans them with no water. The dry cleaning process uses chemicals to clean the fabric and make it look new again. This process can remove stains, soil, and odors from your clothes.
People will always need their clothes washed so that this business model can succeed. Starting a dry cleaning business is a great way to enter the industry.
To maximize profitability, offer multiple services beyond the typical dry cleaning like wash and fold service.
How much you can make: $26,500 — $100,000/month
How long does it take to build: 70 days (?)
Pick My Laundry, India's on-demand laundry and dry-cleaning service provider has developed a mobile app and website serving almost 50,000 customers in its first year after signing up 100 third-party laundry services and franchising its model with over 50 franchises across more than 15 Indian cities.
22. Start an auto detailing business
Starting an auto detailing business is a great way to start your own business and get in on the action. Auto detailing is one of the fastest-growing industries in America, and it’s only going to get bigger as people want their cars to look like they just came off the showroom floor. Plus, you’ll be satisfied knowing that you’re helping people take care of their most prized possession: their car!
Auto detailing business is a low barrier to entry entrepreneurship opportunity and can be mobile or operate from a physical location. To start an auto detailing business, find a strategic location and invest in modern equipment and technology.
How much you can make: $3,000 — $20,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 45 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 8 hours/week
Learn how former tech salesman, Matt Paskow, left the industry to start Fresh Look Mobile Auto Detailing, a profitable mobile auto detailing business generating around $5k per month that focuses solely on SEO, Google AdWords, and Google My Business for marketing.
23. Start a game development business
Ever imagined creating immersive worlds and engaging stories? Starting a game development business could be your ticket.
Game development involves designing, creating, and selling video games. From coding and animation to storytelling and marketing, it’s a comprehensive venture that turns creative ideas into interactive entertainment.
Demand for video games is ever-growing. With passion and the right skills, you could transform a single idea into a product that captures the imaginations of players worldwide.
Embark on this journey of creativity and technology, where your dream game can become a reality enjoyed by millions.
How much you can make: $300 — $1,725,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,400 (?)
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
How one founder turned a successful Kickstarter campaign into a $40 million tabletop game company with a focus on crafting a few special products each year and using social media to build community and relationships with customers.
24. Start a music studio business
Ever thought about harnessing your passion for music into a profitable venture? Consider starting a music studio business. Simply put, it's setting up a space equipped with recording gear where musicians can produce, mix, and master their tracks.
Running a music studio means you provide not just the physical space, but also professional equipment and expertise in audio production. Clients range from indie bands to podcast creators and solo artists. Setting up involves investing in quality recording gear, soundproofing your space, and possibly acquiring some technical training.
This business has the charm of combining creative work with steady revenue opportunities. If you love music and have a knack for tech, starting a music studio could be your ideal venture. It turns artistic passion into a sustainable business while supporting the creative community.
How much you can make: $100/month
How long does it take to build: 5 days (?)
Snake Oil Music News is a website that promotes new and emerging indie rock bands and artists, with a focus on reviews and live events, and has expanded to include merchandise sales and video content creation, looking for volunteers to help keep up with demand.
25. Start a bookkeeping consulting business
If you have a knack for numbers and a meticulous eye for detail, starting a bookkeeping consulting business could be your next venture.
In simple terms, this business involves helping other companies manage their financial records, ensuring accuracy and compliance. Bookkeepers oversee invoices, payroll, and financial statements, providing crucial insights into a business's financial health.
What makes this business intriguing is the ever-present demand for financial clarity. Many small to medium-sized businesses either don't have the expertise or the time to keep immaculate books, creating a significant opportunity for you.
Launching this venture involves building up a clientele, often starting with local businesses or through online platforms like QuickBooks ProAdvisor. Certification and expertise in accounting software can boost your credibility and attract more clients.
It's a promising path if you’re methodical and numbers-driven, offering the potential for steady, reliable income.
How much you can make: $400,000/month
Robert Harwood started Harwood Financial Group in 2008 which has now grown to manage over $500 million of clients' money across four offices, offering investment management services and specializing in retirement planning, tax planning, and estate planning.
26. Start a baby nursery business
If you're looking to start your own business, starting a baby nursery might be the perfect fit.
Baby nurseries are places where mothers can take their children to have them cared for while they work or go shopping. They can be profitable businesses because they include many different services that offer a wide range of potential clients.
Starting a baby nursery business is a great way to make the most out of your parenting experience. You can spend more time with your kids, grow your own business, and make extra money to help you afford all the other things that come with having children.
27. Start a home brewing supply shop
The home brewing supply shop is a business that sells all the supplies you need to make your own beer.
You will be in charge of buying, stocking, and selling all supplies needed for making beer. You may also be in charge of training customers on how to use the equipment and ingredients needed for home brewing.
The market is ripe for the picking. This is a new industry with tons of growth potential, and the market is wide open for you to make a name for yourself in the space.
You'll need to do some research before you jump in, of course. But once you've done that, we recommend starting small with one type of product—like beer or wine kits—and building from there. If you do it right, you'll be able to turn your home brewing supply business into an empire that will bring in millions annually!
How much you can make: $120,000/month
Progress Brewing, a craft beer company in South El Monte, saw continuous growth of 12-14% every month for 16 months straight and hopes to break $2M revenue in 2019 with a focus on high-value non-hype beer, excellent customer service, and providing an overall enjoyable experience.
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Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
