New research commissioned by office supplies comparison site Expert Market has used ten carefully-selected data points to identify the ‘best cities’ for setting up or starting a new business in the UK.
The study, which provides a snapshot of the advantages and disadvantages of different UK cities for start-up entrepreneurs and overseas investors, has assessed each location in terms of its business survival rates, office rental and purchase costs, transport links, availability of graduate talent, average internet speed and more.
London ranked third in the far-reaching survey. But the study suggested that Edinburgh (1st) and Bristol’s (2nd) lower office and living costs and similar proximity to graduate and university talent pools might make these cities a smarter choice for start-up entrepreneurs who are on a tight budget.
Liverpool and Brighton were ranked 4th and 5th respectively, while cities such as York, Aberdeen and Worcester received relatively low ratings in comparison.
Adelle Kehoe, head of research at Expert Market, said: “Entrepreneurship is reaching all corners of the country.
“It is great to see places like Edinburgh and Bristol being championed as business hubs and this hopefully gives budding business owners a few more options of where to base their start-up”.