Starting a business in Belfast

Belfast, the largest city in Northern Ireland, is a great place to start a business. And if you are looking to start a business then investigating the franchising route could be the best option for you. Franchising offers you the chance to run your own business while benefiting from all the know how and support that the franchisor can offer.

Why choose Belfast to run your franchise operation?

Business owners benefit from several advantages by operating their business in Belfast. It offers great infrastructure and government support. 

Transport links are very good in the area for entrepreneurs. Belfast City Airport and Belfast International Airport are within 15 miles of the city with destinations to over 60 international destinations. It is also home to Irelands largest port, so you can rest assured you and your service can be accessible from anywhere in the world.

With one of the best universities in the world situated in the centre, you shouldn’t have too much difficulty recruiting high-calibre employees, and with current wages below the National average its an ideal place for start-ups looking for educated employees.

Northern Ireland holds an impressive record, that any city in the UK would be jealous of. The largest number of start-ups reaching £1 million in three years of trading. Something even London can’t compete with.

Are there suitable areas to run my franchise opportunity?

Belfast is a fantastic franchise territory as it hosts several business parks and shopping districts capable of hosting a vast array of franchise operations from.

These include within Belfast;

• Victoria Square – The biggest mall in the town, offering over 90 top international brands across 4 floors, opened in 2008 this impressive building brings out the shoppers
• Castle Court – A shopping centre in the beautiful Royal Avenue. It is Northern Ireland’s third largest shopping centre and has a footfall of approximately 16 million and ranks in the top 10% in the UK for sale numbers
• The Kennedy Centre – Multi-level shopping mall with big-name food, fashion and home furnishings chains, plus food court.

Belfast currently has a population just over 338,000, but as Northern Ireland’s largest city and one of Europe’s most visited destinations this inviting city attracts 4.9 million tourists every year, contributing a massive £926 million to the economy.

Will I receive any support through franchising in Belfast?

Apart from the franchise support and training you will naturally receive from your franchisor, there is an added benefit of choosing Belfast as your franchise territory.

Primary purpose is to accelerate the growth and success of start-up companies; fortunately, there several such fantastic business incubators located in Belfast:

• Enterprise Northern Ireland: Providing training and business loans and access to office space across Northern Ireland
• Invest Growth Proof of Concept Fund: Gives access to start-ups and helps funding individuals and businesses
• NIBusinessInfo.co.uk: Providing information on how to start up in the city, as well as how to find out about networks and supply chains
• Entrepreneurial Spark (ES) Belfast: In conjunction with NatWest to provide mentoring, investment and business support.

Business incubators house some extremely successful start-ups and are very popular as your office is embedded within a hub of exciting up-and-coming businesses that are often in a similar position to yourself.