Local Franchise Opportunities in Leicester

The many attributes of defined franchise territories

If you’re seriously considering the option of becoming your own boss through franchising, then you need to carefully assess which franchise territory is best for you to both launch your initial franchise operation with the potential to expand if required.

Each franchise territory requires the correct number of target customers (this can be either consumers or businesses) for your franchise to grow and prosper within. You need to ensure you’ve chosen an adequate franchise territory where you will hit the forecast sales for your franchise to ultimately end in a success.

There are so many attributes to consider when looking at what franchise territory is best to launch your prospective business within, such as;

• No. of properties within that area
• No. of businesses within that area
• Population of the area
• Population of certain age gaps (your potential target market)
• No. of homeowners
• No. of privately rented
• No. of social housing
• No. of landlords
• And so, on
• Bede Island Business Park
• Colton Square Business Park
• Grove Park Commercial Centre
• Faircharm Trading Estate Office
• Sunningdale Industrial Estate

There is so much to consider!

Why should I consider launching my franchise within the franchise territory of Leicester?

One potential franchise territory that should not be discarded is that of Leicester, as it’s not just one of our most historic cities, but it also holds a fantastic reputation within the automotive, transport, defence and tech industries. If you’re seeking to launch a high-tech franchise, then Leicester will be one of the most desirable locations purely down to the support offered to businesses within this sector. The same can be said for transport businesses with an unparalleled depth of support on offer within this field.

Travel links

Opting for Leicester as your franchise territory destination to launch your franchise within will offer you great travel links to establish your newly formed business with. Leicester is situated alongside both the M1 and the M69 Motorways, which presents you with the opportunity to commute to London within just two hours. On top of this, Leicester is also only 25 minutes away from the East Midlands airport that offers access to a varied number of international destinations. There is also the option to commute to London via train (East Midlands Train service) that run frequently to King’s Cross and you can be there within just 90 minutes!

Access to staff to help launch and expand your franchise in Leicester

One key factor for why businesses opt to launch or trade in the city of Leicester is the fact that it is home to three universities and thus presents the opportunity to access skilled staff to grow your network.

• De Montfort University
• Loughborough University
• University of Leicester

Loughborough is typically known for its huge emphasis on sport, but it does also offer a big pedigree for both Tech and engineering and the University of Leicester is ranked within the top 20 universities within the UK.

Access to Support through launching my franchise in Leicester

The University of Leicester offers a range of support to businesses and franchises, including research, collaborations, technology transfer and recruitment services to help expand your operation.

The MIRA Enterprise Zone in Hinckley offers franchises a range of benefits, including business rates relief (up to a maximum of £275,000 over five years), simplified planning, and the added benefit of superfast broadband.

Loughborough University also offers its own science park; with a huge area available for development and existing space available, it is one of the UK’s largest science and enterprise parks. Again, it should provide a first-rate home for a new science or engineering franchise seeking to launch within the franchise territory of Leicester.

Tech franchises can also benefit from the Leicester Tech Startups initiative. The community aims to promote the emerging tech cluster through a series of events and networking opportunities.

Where can I launch my franchise in Leicester?

The good news for anyone seeking to launch their business in Leicester is the fact that there is a good range of office space available for you to lease or rent from;

• Bede Island Business Park
• Colton Square Business Park
• Grove Park Commercial Centre
• Faircharm Trading Estate Office
• Sunningdale Industrial Estate 

Access to Funding and Grants through operating in the franchise territory of Leicester

There is one main accelerator programme in the city of Leicester; DOCK Leicester which offers access to workshops, business coaching, grant schemes and more to successful applicants.

The franchise territory of Leicester benefits from an impressive array of grant schemes for businesses and franchises alike. The Leicester & Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership operates a £21m RGF-backed fund, which is offering grants of up to £1m to small and medium-sized businesses and franchises located in the Leicester and the surrounding franchise territories.

There is also the NBV Solutions ERDF Business grant, this was set up to help start-ups and small firms within the franchise area of Leicester that had found it rather difficult to obtain funding. This set up is offering grants from £500 to £5,000.

Lastly the County Council within Leicester have also been working tightly with the Funding Circle to help established businesses obtain additional funding and finance through its enterprise fund, businesses must be at least two years old with a turnover in excess of £100,000.

Please click here to view Franchise Opportunities available within the franchise territory of Leicester