Creative business ideas you can start for up to £5,000

126 ideas

These 128 creative business ideas suit people who want to turn a skill into income without taking on heavy start-up costs. Some, like a product photographer working from a home studio or a home studio jewellery maker, rely on equipment and materials you build up over time.

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Under 1k 5k to 20k Over 20k From home Out and about Own premises Online

Silversmith shaping a silver ring with hand tools at a bench.

Home studio silver jewellery maker

Make handmade silver jewellery in a small home workshop and sell it online, at craft fairs and to local shops.

£1.5k-5k
Side hustle
From home

3,801 UK companies in this field, 32% registered in the last 2 years

Editors reviewing printed book pages around a publishing office table.

Niche book imprint run from home

Publish a small list of books for one niche, such as local history or hobby guides, using print on demand.

£1k-5k
Side hustle
From home

11,341 UK companies in this field, 29% registered in the last 2 years

Composer writing notes on a score beside a piano.

Home studio composer for video and games

Write and produce original music from home for films, games, adverts and online creators.

£500-4k
Side hustle
From home

41,489 UK companies in this field, 27% registered in the last 2 years

A tailor taking measurements of a client for a made-to-measure suit.

Home studio bespoke tailor

Make and alter made-to-measure suits and clothes for private clients by appointment from a home workroom.

£1k-5k
Side hustle
From home

5,604 UK companies in this field, 37% registered in the last 2 years

A photography studio with softboxes and a seamless backdrop ready for a shoot.

Home photography studio for portraits and products

Turn a spare room or garage into a small studio for portraits, family shoots and product photos.

£1k-4k
Side hustle
From home

3,823 UK companies in this field, 31% registered in the last 2 years

Artist blowing through a pipe to shape glowing molten glass in a studio furnace.

Glass blower in a shared studio

Make hand-blown vessels and art glass using hired bench time at a shared hot glass studio, and sell at fairs and online.

£500-3k
Side hustle
Own premises

41,489 UK companies in this field, 27% registered in the last 2 years

Dealer showing a painting to a collector in a gallery.

Online art dealer

Find and sell original artwork online, either on commission or by buying pieces to resell.

£300-3k
Side hustle
Online

2,686 UK companies in this field, 24% registered in the last 2 years

Art dealer for interior clients

Source and place artwork for designers, hotels, offices and homeowners, earning a margin on each piece.

£500-5k
Part-time
Out and about

2,686 UK companies in this field, 24% registered in the last 2 years

A production crew filming video content in a modern media studio.

Small content studio for local businesses

Make short videos, articles and podcasts for local firms and charities from a home setup.

£800-4k
Side hustle
From home

15,512 UK companies in this field, 29% registered in the last 2 years

Niche online publication or podcast

Build an audience around one topic or area and earn from sponsors, memberships and ads.

£100-1.5k
Side hustle
Online

15,512 UK companies in this field, 29% registered in the last 2 years

Drone hovering above a coastline capturing aerial photographs and video.

Drone photos for estate agents and local firms

Shoot aerial photos and video of homes, land and local businesses for agents, builders and marketers.

£1.5k-5k
Side hustle
Out and about

8,581 UK companies in this field, 29% registered in the last 2 years

Reporter typing a news story at a desk in a busy newsroom.

Local news and picture agency

Spot local stories and sell reports and photos to papers, news sites and broadcasters.

£500-3k
Side hustle
Out and about

1,338 UK companies in this field, 34% registered in the last 2 years

Specialist online news service

Cover one niche, such as farming or local property, and supply stories to trade titles and websites.

£400-2k
Side hustle
Online

1,338 UK companies in this field, 34% registered in the last 2 years

Person reading an ebook on a tablet with digital audio and video icons.

Niche ebook publishing imprint

Publish ebooks for a niche readership, from your own writing or other authors, and sell them through online stores.

£200-2k
Side hustle
From home

11,341 UK companies in this field, 29% registered in the last 2 years

Music producer working at a mixing desk in a recording studio.

Home studio music producer

Record, produce and mix tracks for local artists and bands from a home studio.

£800-4k
Side hustle
From home

19,836 UK companies in this field, 26% registered in the last 2 years

Online music producer and mixer

Produce, mix and master tracks remotely for artists anywhere, sent as files.

£300-2.5k
Side hustle
Online

19,836 UK companies in this field, 26% registered in the last 2 years

Rolls of newsprint running through a printing press producing daily newspapers.

Online local news site and newsletter

Run a local news website and email newsletter funded by adverts, sponsors and reader memberships.

£200-1.5k
Side hustle
Online

899 UK companies in this field, 21% registered in the last 2 years

Visitors viewing paintings on white walls in a gallery exhibition.

Pop-up art gallery

Run short exhibitions of local artists in borrowed or hired spaces and earn commission on sales.

£500-4k
Side hustle
Out and about

2,686 UK companies in this field, 24% registered in the last 2 years

Online art gallery

Curate and sell original art from a website, earning commission without paying for a shop.

£300-2.5k
Side hustle
Online

2,686 UK companies in this field, 24% registered in the last 2 years

A designer sketching floor plans and drawings for a home extension.

Home-based building designer for extensions

Draw plans for home extensions and loft conversions from a home office, for local homeowners and builders.

£1k-5k
Side hustle
From home

20,452 UK companies in this field, 15% registered in the last 2 years

Remote drawing service for builders and developers

Produce plans and building regulations drawings remotely for builders, developers and other designers.

£500-3k
Side hustle
Online

20,452 UK companies in this field, 15% registered in the last 2 years

A consultant coaching a client before a television interview in a studio.

Freelance media and PR consultant

Help small businesses and charities get press coverage and handle media requests, working from home on a retainer or project basis.

£200-1.5k
Side hustle
From home

15,610 UK companies in this field, 29% registered in the last 2 years

Media training and interview coach

Coach founders, experts and spokespeople to handle radio, TV and press interviews with confidence, in person or online.

£500-3k
Side hustle
Out and about

15,610 UK companies in this field, 29% registered in the last 2 years

A camera crew filming content with lights and monitors in a production studio.

Podcast production service from home

Edit, produce and publish podcasts for businesses and organisations that want audio content.

£300-1.5k
Side hustle
From home

27,358 UK companies in this field, 34% registered in the last 2 years

About these ideas

Others, such as online art classes and courses, depend more on your teaching and the platform you choose. Before picking one, decide whether you want to sell finished work, offer a service to clients, or teach what you know. Then work out what you already own, what you would need to buy, and how you would find your first paying customers. A modest budget goes furthest when you start small, test demand and reinvest early earnings.

More ideas

Questions

How far does a £5,000 budget go in a creative business?

It depends on the idea. Service businesses may only need a camera, software or tools, while product businesses also need materials and packaging. List essential purchases first, price each one, and keep some money back for marketing and insurance.

Do I need insurance or a licence for a creative business in the UK?

Requirements vary by activity. It is worth checking whether you need public liability or product insurance, and whether performing, selling at events or trading from home needs permission. Your local council and the GOV.UK website are good places to start.

Do I need to register as self-employed if I start a creative business?

Many people who earn money from creative work need to check whether they must register with HMRC as self-employed. Look at current GOV.UK guidance on trading income and allowances, and consider speaking to an accountant if you are unsure.