If you are thinking about starting a business in Manchester or would like to grow your existing business, you have come to the right place!
Start Your Own Business in Manchester contains masses of free resources and the useful information that will help give your venture the best chance of success. It also highlights local organisations who offer friendly business advice and services that you need.
We have been helping start-ups and existing business owners in Manchester since 2005 and a list of key local contacts can be found below.
Start & Grow Your Business in Manchester
Packed with information and contact details designed to help you start or grow your business successfully.
We have been running SYOB for over 15 years now and have accumulated an enormous amount of information which could make the difference between success or failure.
Download NowPacked with the information that you need to start or grow a business in Manchester.
One-time registration required but this unlocks all of the free resources on the site.
Our FREE start-up pack contains everything that you need to get you started.
It is a common trait amongst entrepreneurs to just want to 'get on with it'. However, if you want to maximise your chances of success, it is worth putting in time and effort before you start to ensure that you have set-up correctly.
Our FREE start-up pack contains everything that you need to get you started.
It is a common trait amongst entrepreneurs to just want to 'get on with it'. However, if you want to maximise your chances of success, it is worth putting in time and effort before you start to ensure that you have set-up correctly.
A Great Place For Startups.
Did you know that over 3,500 new businesses are formed in Manchester every year? This number swells to over 13,000 if you look at Greater Manchester Metropolitan District as a whole. Although positions change from survey to survey, it also ranks in the top 10 ‘best places in the UK to start a business’. But why is this?
Historically, the region always prospered thanks to the industries like cotton and the bustling docks. These days, the landscape looks completely different and Manchester itself has become a hotbed for modern technologies and a thriving commercial centre.
Undoubtedly, extensive redevelopment since the Second World War, the introduction of the Metro and a large cash injection that came with the 2002 Commonwealth Games have all helped. However, it is the local population that have been responsible for the greatest change – there is a noticeable ‘entrepreneurial’ spirit and this is probably why YOU are reading this!
To cater for this growing entrepreneurial community, you will also be pleased to learn that there is a wide range of support available and much of this is completely free.
Business Advice
Although it is so tempting just to dive in and to try and turn your theory into reality, please do make the most of the resources that exist on your doorstep. For example, Manchester City Council offer the chance to have a live chat with qualified business advisers and the Growth Hub provide a free business start-up advice service. You can find a fuller list on our Manchester Business Advice page.
Business Networking
Even if you are setting up by yourself - you are not alone! There are plenty of opportunities to get out and meet like-minded entrepreneurs and business owners. A good starting point could be the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce who can supply a whole host of useful services including events and networking. There are also lots of national and local networking groups who welcome new members and or visitors. See more on our Manchester Business Networking page.
Here is a list of the key businesses and organisations who are keen to help you.
The sad truth is that far too many new businesses start-ups fail in the early stages and our aim is to try and make sure that you are not one of them.
To help with this, we have broken down the start-up process into simple steps which highlight the things that have worked for other start-ups and the pitfalls that you need to avoid.
You can see the full list of 'steps' at: How to Start a Business Step-by-Step