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Bristol best place to run your own business

By Laura Collacott  Monday Feb 15, 2016

New research by University College London’s (UCL) School of Management has found that Bristol is one of the most favourable cities in the UK to run your own business.

Analysing broadband speed, the cost of central office space and quantity and value of government Start Up Loans showed Bristol to be the country’s most business-friendly location. 

With broadband speeds of 33.8Mbps, Bristol is above the UK average of 26Mbps, a pool of local talent and cheap office rents, many businesses are emerging here. 

Better Business
Better Business is an initiative launched by Bristol24/7 to help businesses thrive, whilst creating a positive impact on Bristol and the people who live here.

“A great business idea is just the start of succeeding as an entrepreneur, and we’ve found some surprising differences in the facilities available to them across the UK,” said UCL’s Chris Coleridge. “The factors we have explored, from basic funding to broadband speed, can have a real impact on the direction and growth of a business as it gathers pace.”

Liz Sands, director at Brave Enterprise, an agency that provides business advice to SMEs and would-be-entrepreneurs, supports the report’s findings: “It’s generally an entrepreneurial place and seems to be a supportive environment – not as impersonal as starting up in London. We’ve noticed in the last 12 months a surge in interest in people wanting to go self-employed. A combination of factors make it a good place [to start a business].” 

 Image – Shutterstock

Read how Bristol’s digital tech sector is the UK’s most productive. 

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