Business services ideas that run from your own premises

81 ideas

These 83 business services ideas all rely on having a base of your own, whether that is a small office, a rented unit or a shopfront. They suit people who want to serve other businesses or local customers face to face, and who are comfortable committing to a lease or similar agreement.

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Under 1k1k to 5k5k to 20kOver 20kFrom homeOut and aboutOnline
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.

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
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 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
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
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
Forklift operator moving pallets in a busy warehouse.

Small forklift hire fleet

Buy a few used forklifts, keep them serviced and hire them with delivery to local warehouses and builders.

  • £15k-60k
  • Part-time
  • Own premises
7,895 UK companies in this field, 21% registered in the last 2 years
Smiling estate agent handing house keys to a new homeowner.

Independent high street estate and lettings agency

Open a local branch selling and letting homes, with a small team and a shop window people know.

  • £15k-60k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
37,124 UK companies in this field, 28% registered in the last 2 years
An adviser discussing insurance paperwork with a couple at a desk.

Your own life insurance brokerage

Set up a small FCA-authorised protection firm with your own brand, local client base and referral partners.

  • £6k-30k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
8,071 UK companies in this field, 19% registered in the last 2 years
A digger and generator parked on a construction site for hire.

Local plant and tool hire yard

Run a small yard or unit hiring plant, power tools and access equipment to local trades and DIYers over the counter.

  • £30k-120k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
5,242 UK companies in this field, 21% registered in the last 2 years
Rows of roll-up storage unit doors along a secure facility corridor.

Small self-storage in a converted unit or barn

Divide a spare industrial unit or farm building into lockable storage rooms and rent them out monthly.

  • £10k-50k
  • Side hustle
  • Own premises
459,005 UK companies in this field, 26% registered in the last 2 years
Agent wearing headset making calls at a desk in an office.

Small outbound calling and survey team

Run a small team making sales and survey calls for several clients, paid per hour or per result.

  • £3k-12k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
1,530 UK companies in this field, 38% registered in the last 2 years
Recruitment consultant meeting a job candidate across a desk in an office.

Temporary staffing agency

Supply reliable temporary workers to local businesses that need cover at short notice.

  • £3k-15k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
29,439 UK companies in this field, 29% registered in the last 2 years
Financial adviser discussing pension and savings plans with a client at a desk.

Independent financial planning firm

Set up your own FCA-authorised advice firm from a small office, with your own clients, fees and brand.

  • £15k-60k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
9,891 UK companies in this field, 26% registered in the last 2 years
Heaps of sorted scrap metal stacked in an outdoor recycling yard.

Small scrap metal yard

Run a small yard where the public and trades bring metal, and sell sorted loads on to processors.

  • £15k-60k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
2,643 UK companies in this field, 23% registered in the last 2 years
Large technical blueprints being printed and laid out on a table.

Plan and drawing print shop

Print and copy large-format plans for builders, architects and engineers from a small unit near local trade.

  • £4k-20k
  • Part-time
  • Own premises
8,677 UK companies in this field, 19% registered in the last 2 years
Broker showing a white sailing yacht to a prospective buyer at a marina.

Marina-based yacht brokerage

Run a small brokerage from an office at a marina, with boats on display and a local reputation.

  • £8k-30k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
4,307 UK companies in this field, 18% registered in the last 2 years
Rows of labelled archive boxes on shelves in a secure records storage facility.

Local business records storage unit

Rent a small secure unit and store boxed paperwork for local firms, with retrieval on request.

  • £5k-25k
  • Part-time
  • Own premises
8,700 UK companies in this field, 31% registered in the last 2 years
Staff packing and labelling parcels at a busy mailing counter.

Local packing and parcel shop

Run a small high street unit that packs, labels and sends parcels for locals and businesses.

  • £8k-35k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
10,831 UK companies in this field, 43% registered in the last 2 years
People working at shared desks in a bright modern coworking space.

Local coworking space in your town

Lease a small unit or floor and rent desks and meeting rooms to local freelancers and small firms.

  • £15k-60k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
13,756 UK companies in this field, 25% registered in the last 2 years

Coworking desks in spare office or studio space

Turn unused space you already rent or own into a few shared desks for local freelancers.

  • £1.5k-8k
  • Side hustle
  • Own premises
13,756 UK companies in this field, 25% registered in the last 2 years
Rows of roll-up doors in a secure self-storage facility corridor.

Self-storage container yard

Rent out secure storage containers on a small yard to households and local traders.

  • £15k-75k
  • Side hustle
  • Own premises
8,700 UK companies in this field, 31% registered in the last 2 years

Pallet storage for small businesses

Lease a small industrial unit and rent out pallet space and caged areas to local sellers and traders.

  • £10k-40k
  • Part-time
  • Own premises
8,700 UK companies in this field, 31% registered in the last 2 years
An insurance adviser reviews home policy documents with a couple at a desk.

Local insurance broker with a small office

Run a walk-in broker office arranging home and contents cover for local households, with your own FCA authorisation.

  • £15k-50k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
8,071 UK companies in this field, 19% registered in the last 2 years

About these ideas

Examples include a local packing and parcel shop, a local coworking space in your town and small-scale shredding from a rented unit. Before anything else, work out what premises you realistically need and what they will cost each month, including rent, business rates, insurance and utilities. Check that the location suits your customers, such as footfall for a parcel shop or good access for a stocked unit. Compare the commitment of a longer lease against flexible terms, and see how quickly you could reach break-even.

More ideas

Questions

Do I need commercial premises to start a business services company?

Not always, but these ideas are built around having your own base. Check whether a small office, serviced unit or shared space would meet your needs before signing a long lease, as this can reduce your early costs and risk.

What should I check before renting premises in the UK?

Look at the lease length, break clauses, rent reviews, business rates and insurance requirements. Confirm the property's permitted use with the landlord or local council, and consider asking a solicitor to review the lease before you commit.

Do I need licences or authorisation for these ideas?

It depends on the idea. Insurance broking, customs clearance and waste or shredding services may involve regulation or registration. Check the requirements with the relevant UK regulator or your local council before you trade, and confirm anything specific to your premises.