Coming back to UK to start a business

[lostinspain]

We have been in Spain for the last 10 years and are now returning to Britain. We will be arriving with cash - probably not enough to buy a house outright, but enough to invest in a business. The problem is, what? I feel out of touch with the UK, even though I used to be self employed when I was last living there. Our line of work is hospitality/service industry (B&B, gites management, catering and recording studio management) and we will have about 100,000 GBP to find ourselves and family (6 people, 4 of which are adults and could work in the business) a business and a place to live.

I will have to visit the UK before hand, but can anyone give some clue as to what and where is hot and what's not? I'd like to narrow down areas and thriving industries before I come. All I hear about the UK from over here is doom and gloom, recession, unemployment etc etc (ok, here's not much better, obviously!). I'm convinced that this can't be the case everywhere in the UK and I would consider any area except a city.

Any thoughts much appreciated.

 

[Alan]

It seems to me that retail, pubs & restaurants are suffering. But low cost hotels & B&Bs always seems to be quite busy.

It is a deep recession so it isn't the time to start a premium, high quality, optional business (e.g. champagne ballon flights) in my opinion.

 

[funnyman]

Yeah it "tough" out there right now. Maybe aget a "job" for a few years until it picks up...LOL

 

[Successukdotcom]

Whatever business you decide to run, an early start at being competitve will require you obtain a website of some sort. B and B appears to be ok here if the advertising is right.

Like it or not, today’s average consumer expects a business to have a website.

Even if you don’t actually do business online, consumers are becoming increasingly tech-savvy and like to research companies, products or contact details on the internet, before they contemplate a purchase.

For this reason, getting your business online is a crucial investment to give your business the maximum exposure possible. However, with the extreme price range of online solutions available, it’s easy for small businesses to get stung.

Look for website designers that can be found using Google without advertising (do not look at the ads at the very top or right side)

Proof is in the ability to be search engine optimised (SEO) whilst only paying for a website to be developed.

e.g. prices less than £400 for a 4 page website, domain and 12 months hosting. This investment in the right company will pay dividends.

Good Luck

 

[businessfunding]

@ successuk; you post is simultaneously naive and spammy; you will get barred if you don't make a positive contribution.

to the OP; no one can really advise you on what sector to go into - without a realistic knowledge of your skill sets, interests and contacts.

As usual, the outh east is more buoyant than other areas, but obviously rents, labour costs and availability of skills reflect that.

The pub trade is said to be on its knees but I know several operators who are doing extremely well.

Ultimately it will come down to how you differentiate yourself and how you define your market.

Oh, and whether or not you have a website.