A Step-by-Step Guide to Starting a Business in Great Britain

Lets start with three inspirational facts for those who are going to start their business in the UK:

1. GB is among the top ten countries by the ease of doing business.
2. More than 99% of British businesses are small and medium-sized.
3. Great Britain is the leader among European countries in attracting venture capital and crowdfunding.

No idea where to start? We have prepared a step-by-step guide with detailed information on each step – from niche selection to getting a non-resident visa.

How to Start for Residents:

Choose a Niche

In early 2019, there were 5.9 million private businesses in the UK, more than 99% of which were small and medium sized. To choose your niche in this market, consider several issues: how competitive the industry is, how it has evolved over the last few years, and how long the businesses live. 

According to the 2019 statistics, the construction industry accounted for the largest market share (over 17%), followed by professional, scientific, and technical services (over 14%). The third place was occupied by retail trade (over 9%). You can learn more about the main industries and market dynamics in the table below.

When choosing a niche, it is also important to consider which businesses are closed most often and which ones exist for a long time. In general, about 80% of British companies fail within the first year, and over a half do not survive even five years. Thus, according to the Office for National Statistics data, only 42.4% of the companies established in 2013 operated until 2018.

The largest number of companies opened and closed in 2018 were those in the transportation and storage industry. And the poorest situation was in healthcare: this is the only area where more companies closed than new ones appeared. Let’s take a closer look at the data for each industry.

Develop a Business Plan

A business plan is a detailed document that describes everything related to launching and developing your business. It states the business idea, the goals, the advantages and possible problems, the marketing and sales strategy, and other operations. You’ll need this document both to attract investment and to measure progress at every stage of business development.

These are the main items to be included in the plan:

• general company profile: history, mission, values, your experience in the industry;
• products: goods or services, their pros and cons, possible expansion or change in product line;
• market and competitors: the situation in the market and your segment, the trends, the main competitors, their advantages and disadvantages compared to you;
• target audience: a socio-demographic and psychographic portrait, the benefits you can offer your customers;
• marketing and sales strategy: a unique selling proposition (why exactly your product should be bought), advertising and sales channels, pricing policy;
• structure and HR management: form of organization and company structure, number of employees, recruitment and training plan;
• finance: initial capital, costs, revenue and profit forecasts.

Seek Funding

Different types of funding may be available to you depending on your activity, goals, and experience.  

Equity

The easiest option is to use personal assets or borrow from friends, relatives, or business partners. This option is suitable for any type of business. However, remember that the amount will be limited by the personal financial possibilities of people you borrow money from.  

Business Angels

Private investors who invest in startups taking risks for potentially high returns. Investments can be one-off or regular. In exchange, you will have to donate a portion of the company’s shares. But in addition to money, business angels will share their skills and experience.

This type of investment is most often received by companies in healthcare, biotechnology, pharmaceutics, financial technology, software, and e-commerce.

Crowdfunding

An alternative way to attract money from the multitude of people who invest small amounts in promising projects with a powerful idea. You can register to collect money on one of the specialized online crowdfunding platforms.

There are two facts in favor of this method:

• the survival rate of crowdfunding companies in the UK is 79% which is above the average for start-ups;
• the United Kingdom is the leader in crowdfunding in Europe: in 2020, the average value of a deal is $58.6 million.

Venture Capital

Investments from companies in exchange for participation in business management. Venture capital firms invest in companies with significant profit potential: you need to demonstrate a unique offer, innovation, or a strong competitive advantage. Investments are typically made in rounds and increase as your business and profits grow.

It is interesting that at the end of 2019 British companies attracted the largest amount of venture capital investments in Europe – 3.2 billion euros.

Startup Loans

The Start Up Loans program funded by the British Business Bank offers loans to companies that have existed for less than 24 months. Each business partner can receive up to £25,000 (a total of £100,000 per business) as well as two months of mentoring and counselling.

Overdraft

Overdraft is a credit line from your bank. Similar to a normal loan, the money will need to be paid back with interest. An overdraft is the best option if you lack small amounts for short-term needs.

Business Loan

Suitable for large long-term purchases such as investments in transport or equipment. To get a bank loan, you need to prove that the company will be profitable and you will be able to repay the debt along with interest.

Р2Р

is an alternative to a bank loan. Lenders and borrowers are registered on P2P platforms and privately agree on loan amounts, interest, and terms. More information on P2P can be found on the website dedicated to this type of financing.  

We have collected basic information about all types of financing available for starting businesses in the table. For more information, visit the official resource on finance for business.

Choose the Ownership Form

In this article, we’ll talk about the main forms of ownership relevant to those who start a business (read more about them on the official website of the British Government).

Individual Entrepreneur

Suitable for those who do business on their own, selling their goods or services. It can be dropshipping, cleaning houses, dog walking, goods delivery, custom cake baking, massage, photography, and much more. In this case, you bear full personal responsibility for the debts of your business. You need:

• keep records of income and expenses;
• file an annual tax return for self-employed persons;
• pay income tax: use a calculator on HM Revenue & Customs website to find out how much you will have to pay based on your income;
• if your turnover exceeds £85,000 you must register to pay VAT.

Limited Liability Company

One of the most common forms of doing business in the UK. You can be either the sole shareholder and manager of the company at the same time, or you can engage an unlimited number of shareholders. They will have certain rights such as approving any changes in the business structure or strategy.

The company manager bears no personal responsibility for the debts but performs the following legal and financial obligations:

• enforces the corporate charter;
• notifies the state registrar of all changes (resignation or appointment of managers, changes in the share capital, address, etc.);
• regularly submits financial statements;
• pays corporate income tax, income tax, and national insurance contributions on the salaries of the employees.

Partnership

A way for two or more people to do business together and share personal responsibility, and namely:

• pay tax on his or her profit share;
• bear personal responsibility for debts and other obligations;
• purchase equipment, shares, etc. jointly;
• if the turnover exceeds £85,000, register to pay VAT.

Create a Name and a Logo

The name requirements depend on the form of ownership. If you plan to register as an individual entrepreneur or partner, the name must not:

• contain words “limited”, “Ltd”, “limited liability partnership”, “LLP”, “public limited company”, “plc”;
• be offensive;
• resemble existing names;
• hint at a connection with government structures.

The name of a limited liability company should:

• match or be similar to the name of another registered company (use the link to check it);
• end with “limited” or “Ltd”;
• not be offensive;
• not hint at a connection with government structures.

After the name, we advise you to come up with a logo, the main attribute of brand identity. The visual symbol of the company tells about business and helps to remember you better:

• to save time and budget for logo development, use modern online generators such as ZenBusiness and get the brand symbol in a few clicks;
• test the logo, using as many points of contact with clients as possible: social media, letters, advertising, souvenir products, etc.;
• once you are sure the logo is working, develop the rest of the brand identity elements based on it: business cards, letterheads, envelopes, and other attributes that you will need at the initial stage of doing business. 

Register your Business

Registration rules differ depending on the form of ownership:

• Individual entrepreneurs need to register on the website of Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and obtain a unique taxpayer number.
• To incorporate a limited liability company you need a physical address in the UK, a deed of incorporation and a charter signed by all shareholders. You also need to choose the SIC code that defines the area of economic activity. You can then incorporate the company online, by mail, or with the help of an agent.
• In case of a partnership, each partner must register separately with HM Revenue and Customs.

Learn the Requirements: License, Insurance, Additional Rules

Additional business requirements define the scope of activities. Find out which licenses and insurances you need and what other regulations are specific to your industry.

License

Certain activities require a license. This may be a business dealing with alcohol, medicines, animals, some specific products, etc. To find out whether you need a special work permit, use this tool.

Insurance

Insurance protects against possible risks such as property damage or legal costs. There are mandatory types such as:

• insurance to cover the cost of compensation for employees who have been injured or ill at work (if you are an employer);
• car insurance (if the business uses vehicles);
• insurance for certain professions.

Other business insurance types are optional, for example:

• commercial real estate insurance;
• liability insurance (to cover losses and legal costs if you are claimed by clients, investors, or shareholders).

The types of necessary policies and their cost depend on many factors such as business specifics, annual turnover, number of employees. You can buy business insurance directly from an insurance agent or the British Insurance Brokers’ Association.

Additional Requirements

They refer to companies that:

• sell goods or services online: they must provide customers with full product information and return conditions (click here for details on all requirements);
• import/export goods: they must pay duties and VAT (read more about conditions for importers and exporters);
• store or use personal information such as customer addresses: they must abide by data protection regulations (click here for details).

Check the Obligations According to the Workplace

To do business from home, you may need:

• a permit from the landlord if you’re renting a place;
• a permit to redesign if you are going to make changes to the property;
• business property insurance.

You can also claim tax breaks to defray utility costs. Check out the detailed terms for those doing business from home.

If you are renting a commercial property, the basic conditions will be set out in your rental agreement. This may be the responsibility for:

• safety measures;
• proper working conditions;
• repair and maintenance.

You can read about all the terms and conditions on this page.

Hire Employees

If you hire employees, you have certain responsibilities for their health and safety such as:

• payroll;
• payment of national insurance contributions;
• pension provision.

Read more about the employer’s responsibilities and check what requirements must be fulfilled.

How to Start a Business If You’re a Non-Resident

In addition to the requirements for starting a business listed in the article, foreigners must obtain a visa and a social security number and open a bank account. Let us tell you all about it in greater detail.

Get a Visa

First, check the conditions of entry into the UK for the citizens of your country. This can be done on the UK government website: select your country from the list and find out what type of visa you need depending on the terms and conditions of your business.

The UK issues many types of work visas: short- and long-term, for startups and investors, for innovators and seasonal workers, etc. You can find all types of entry permits here.

Choose a Business Structure

You can either choose one of the types of business structures described in the article or open a regional branch of a foreign company. The latter option will suit those who already have a business in their home country. In this case, the foreign parent company will be responsible for all liabilities of the British branch. Visit the British Government website for all official information on branch registration.

Register Your Company

Apart from the basic requirements, non-residents need to obtain a state social security number and have a physical address in the UK. After that, you can apply to the Companies House and HMRC.

Open a Bank Account

To simplify financial transactions, it’s better to have an account with a British bank. The requirements for opening an account by non-residents may vary from one financial institution to another. Let’s consider the three largest banks and the conditions they offer:

• Barclays allows you to open a business account online in three currencies: dollars, euros, and pounds. But you can do it only by depositing the equivalent of £25,000 into your account. Barclays also offers a number of additional services such as investment management and mortgage consultants.
• Lloyds only works with certain countries (start by checking the conditions for your country). You can open an account online or by phone. You are required to have an annual gross income of at least £50,000 and deposit £25,000.
• HSBC allows opening business accounts for non-resident owners of a company registered in the UK. This requires the company registration number, address and telephone number, estimated turnover details, personal data, and address confirmation.

Another option for foreigners is to use online banking services (such as Monese or Tide) offering a full range of standard banking services.