Business Services Ideas You Can Start in the UK

329 ideas

Business services are firms that earn their money by helping other businesses, schools and households get things done. This page lists 329 ideas, from a data entry and clean-up service to home parcel packing and posting for small sellers, or a local office supplies trade counter and delivery.

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Under 1k1k to 5k5k to 20kOver 20kFrom homeOut and aboutOwn premisesOnline
Recruiter meeting a senior executive candidate in a modern office.

Solo niche headhunter

Find senior hires for employers in one sector you know well, paid a fee when your candidate is placed.

  • £500-4k
  • Part-time
  • From home
29,439 UK companies in this field, 29% registered in the last 2 years
Recruiter meeting a senior executive candidate in a modern office.

Boutique executive search firm

Build a small team that runs retained searches for leadership roles, with a serviced office and a few repeat clients.

  • £8k-35k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
29,439 UK companies in this field, 29% registered in the last 2 years
Boxes of desk accessories and stationery stacked in a supplier's warehouse.

Home-based desk accessories wholesaler

Buy desk accessories and stationery in bulk and sell on to shops and small offices from a spare room or garage.

  • £1.5k-8k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
729 UK companies in this field, 16% registered in the last 2 years
Boxes of desk accessories and stationery stacked in a supplier's warehouse.

Local office supplies trade counter and delivery

Run a small stockroom supplying offices, shops and resellers in your area with desk accessories and stationery.

  • £8k-35k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
729 UK companies in this field, 16% registered in the last 2 years
Financial planner showing a retirement savings plan to a smiling couple.

Financial planner under an adviser network

Advise clients on savings, retirement and protection under an FCA-authorised network, so you skip the cost of setting up your own firm.

  • £2k-8k
  • Part-time
  • From home
9,891 UK companies in this field, 26% registered in the last 2 years
A consultant reviewing building plans and documents with a construction site behind.

Independent building consultant working from home

Advise homeowners and small developers on costs, plans and building compliance, working from a home office and visiting sites.

  • £500-3k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
38,095 UK companies in this field, 28% registered in the last 2 years
A consultant reviewing building plans and documents with a construction site behind.

Building consultant for small developers

Guide small developers and landlords through budgets, contractors and compliance on larger building projects, on site and in meetings.

  • £1.5k-8k
  • Full-time
  • Out and about
38,095 UK companies in this field, 28% registered in the last 2 years
Uniformed security guard standing at a building entrance checking access.

Event and venue security team

Supply a few licensed guards for local events, bars, markets and private functions, starting with work you do yourself.

  • £600-3k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
14,354 UK companies in this field, 36% registered in the last 2 years
Uniformed security guard standing at a building entrance checking access.

Site and premises guarding company

Win regular contracts to guard building sites, empty properties and business premises with a small team of licensed guards.

  • £3k-15k
  • Full-time
  • Out and about
14,354 UK companies in this field, 36% registered in the last 2 years
Customer service agents wearing headsets taking calls at desks in an office.

Small team contact centre

Run a small team handling customer calls and enquiries for local businesses, paid per hour or per call.

  • £5k-20k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
1,530 UK companies in this field, 38% registered in the last 2 years
A finance broker reviewing loan documents with a client across a desk.

Business finance broker working from home

Help small firms find business loans and funding from lenders, and earn commission when a deal completes.

  • £600-3k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
9,891 UK companies in this field, 26% registered in the last 2 years
A finance broker reviewing loan documents with a client across a desk.

Asset finance broker for local trades and firms

Arrange van, equipment and machinery finance for tradespeople and small firms, and earn commission from lenders.

  • £1k-5k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
9,891 UK companies in this field, 26% registered in the last 2 years
Appraiser examining antique furniture and silverware to assess their value.

Probate contents and valuables valuer

Value furniture, jewellery, art and personal belongings for estates, helping executors with probate paperwork.

  • £300-2.5k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
37,124 UK companies in this field, 28% registered in the last 2 years
A creative team planning an advertising campaign around a whiteboard in a modern office.

Home-based marketing for local businesses

Run social media, simple ads and email campaigns from home for small local firms on a monthly retainer.

  • £200-1.5k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
52,296 UK companies in this field, 45% registered in the last 2 years
A creative team planning an advertising campaign around a whiteboard in a modern office.

Small full-service marketing agency

Build a small team offering campaigns, content and ads to growing businesses from a shared or rented office.

  • £3k-15k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
52,296 UK companies in this field, 45% registered in the last 2 years
Local business owners chatting and exchanging contacts at a networking breakfast.

Local business networking group

Run a regular local meeting where business owners swap referrals, paid for by monthly or annual membership.

  • £300-2k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
3,269 UK companies in this field, 22% registered in the last 2 years
Local business owners chatting and exchanging contacts at a networking breakfast.

Online networking group for a niche

Host online networking meetings for a specific group, such as local firms or women in business, funded by membership fees.

  • £100-800
  • Side hustle
  • Online
3,269 UK companies in this field, 22% registered in the last 2 years
Notary stamping and signing a legal document on a desk at an office.

Full-time notary office

Once you are an appointed notary, run a practice from small premises serving walk-in clients, businesses and solicitors.

  • £4k-20k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
9,924 UK companies in this field, 27% registered in the last 2 years
A property manager handing keys to tenants outside an apartment building.

Small-portfolio property manager

Manage rented homes for a handful of local landlords, from tenants and repairs to rent collection, for a monthly fee.

  • £500-3k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
126,025 UK companies in this field, 24% registered in the last 2 years
An agent handing house keys to a tenant in front of a rental home.

Home-based lettings agent for landlords

Find tenants, run viewings and handle paperwork for local landlords, working from home and on the road.

  • £1.5k-6k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
37,124 UK companies in this field, 28% registered in the last 2 years
An agent handing house keys to a tenant in front of a rental home.

Independent high street letting agency

Open a local office and manage rental homes for landlords, with a small team looking after tenants and properties.

  • £15k-50k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
37,124 UK companies in this field, 28% registered in the last 2 years
Couple viewing a holiday resort apartment with a pool and sea view.

Timeshare resale broker

Match timeshare owners who want to sell with buyers of resale weeks, earning commission only when a sale completes.

  • £800-4k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
37,124 UK companies in this field, 28% registered in the last 2 years
Estate agent shows a couple around a house with keys in hand.

Home-based local estate agent

Sell homes in your area from home, with online listings, viewings and a low-overhead fee.

  • £1.5k-7.5k
  • Part-time
  • From home
37,124 UK companies in this field, 28% registered in the last 2 years
Rows of coin-operated storage lockers in a busy public venue.

Coin-operated lockers in local venues

Place pay-to-use storage lockers in venues like pools, gyms or attractions and share the takings with the owner.

  • £1k-6k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
1,108 UK companies in this field, 41% registered in the last 2 years

About these ideas

They suit people with office, admin, sales or technical experience, and anyone who prefers steady repeat customers to one-off shoppers. Before you choose, think about who would pay you and how you would reach them. Some ideas, such as tenants' contents insurance broking, may need authorisation or registration, so check the rules first. Others depend on stock, space or equipment, which changes your start-up costs. Compare each idea against your skills, your time and the contacts you already have.

More ideas

Questions

Do I need qualifications to start a business services company?

It depends on the idea. Admin-based services like data entry often need no formal qualifications, while insurance, claims or financial work may need authorisation or professional standards. Check the relevant UK regulator and any trade body requirements before you take on customers.

How do I find my first business customers?

Start with people you already know, such as former employers, colleagues and local firms. Then try networking groups, local business directories and a simple website. Offering a small trial job can help a new customer test your reliability before committing.

What should I check before registering my business?

Check whether you should register as a sole trader or limited company, and whether you need to register with HMRC. Also look at insurance, data protection duties if you handle client information, and any licences or regulator approvals for your chosen service.