Starting a business in Bristol

Starting a new business anywhere will have its risks, that’s why starting a franchise for many is the perfect way to own and operate their own business, but with the support and guidance than a franchisor can offer. But what makes Bristol such an attractive city for budding entrepreneurs.

Bristol was recently named as the second ranked city by the Start-up Cities Index, beaten only by Edinburgh. This was mainly down to its well above average business survival rates, excellent business infrastructure like its broadband speeds and its start up community. Just over 2,500 new business launched in 2016 alone.

Bristol also holds the coveted title of the UK’s best place to live by The Sunday Times, an award it has won three times in four years. This is just one of the many wonderful titles that Bristol has won in recent years.

Why choose Bristol to run your franchise operation?

Bristol is one of the UK’s entrepreneurial capitals with over 2,500 start ups in 2016 alone Bristol is well positioned to give you and your business what it needs to grow. 

Bristol is home to one of the UK’s busiest ports, Royal Portbury Docks. Not only does the docks reach over 42 million people it has become a central hub for businesses looking to gain access to international markets. The port’s recent technological advancements have seen the rise of its commercial development Harbourside; a mixed-use retail site which offers office space and rental accommodation.

The city is also home to one of the UK’s largest urban regeneration projects, Bristol Temple Quarter Enterprise Zone. Situated directly next to Bristol Temple Meads Railway Station, the zone already has over 350 businesses on site.

Are there suitable areas to run my franchise opportunity?

Bristol 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 Bristol:

• Cabot Circus - Opened in 2008, this large shopping mall is home over 120 shops, including some of the biggest names in retail
• The Mall Cribbs Causeway - Home to some of the most popular range of brands and shops
• Avonsmeads Retail Park - Avonmeads has a few out of town shops, restaurants and a Showcase Cinema and a Hollywood Bowl
• Queen Square, Lewins Mead and Clifton - Offering flexible and professional office space for you and your business to grow and have become increasingly poplar with small businesses.

Bristol has just under 450,000 people within its territory but with Bristol Airport offering direct service to over 125 European destinations you can rest assured that you have 100’s of thousands of potential clients/customers at your doorstep. Or alternatively you could use any of the London airports, that are less than two hours drive away, or Birmingham International with can be reached in less than 30minutes by train or just over two hours by car.

Will I receive any support through franchising in Bristol?

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

There are several local business networks and organisations looking to help businesses achieve success:

• The West of England Local Enterprise Partnership is working to attract new businesses to the Bristol area and was awarded £86m to develop Bristol and the surrounding countryside and has partnerships with serveral local organistations which can offer business support
• Start-ups launching in or moving to Bristol have a range of funding options open to them staring with the West of England Growth Fund. The fund provides grants of varied amounts between £10,000 to £80,000 to businesses
• Microcredit Fund: Designed to support start-ups and businesses with loans up to £7,500 at 6% interest rate
• SWIG Finance: Loans up to £50,000 with a 1% payable on the funding drawn down.