Creative business ideas with a start-up budget over £20,000
34 ideas
These 34 creative business ideas suit people who have meaningful capital to invest, whether from savings, a redundancy payment or a loan, and want to build something with real equipment and premises behind it. The higher budget usually pays for a studio or unit, specialist machinery and a proper fit-out.
Tailoring shop and fitting studio
Open a small shop offering bespoke clothing and alterations to walk-in and regular customers.
- £5k-25k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Small art gallery and dealership
Run a small shop or gallery space selling original art to local collectors and passing visitors.
- £5k-25k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Small Aboriginal art gallery with a shop front
Open a small gallery showing Aboriginal art, with exhibitions, framing and a loyal collector list.
- £12k-60k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Small independent art gallery
Open a small shop-front gallery showing and selling local artists, with a rolling programme of exhibitions.
- £8k-40k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Small content studio for brands
Run a small team producing video, audio and written content for ongoing brand clients.
- £5k-25k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Commercial recording studio unit
Rent a unit and fit out a studio for full bands, producers and businesses to book by the day.
- £15k-60k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Bespoke atelier with a fitting room
Open a small made-to-measure atelier with a fitting room, serving private clients and working with a seamstress or two.
- £12k-40k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Small video production studio
Run a small studio with a team of freelancers making corporate, training and advert videos.
- £8k-40k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Glass blower with your own studio
Set up your own hot glass workshop to make art pieces, commissions and stock for galleries, and perhaps teach short sessions.
- £30k-90k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Workwear and club embroidery shop
Run a small unit with multi-head machines producing branded workwear and kit for local businesses and clubs.
- £20k-90k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Small film and video studio
Run a rented studio unit where you produce films and hire the space to other creators and brands.
- £10k-40k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Instrument hire for schools and bands
Supply class sets and larger instruments to schools, music groups and bands from a small unit with a delivery service.
- £8k-35k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Model making studio with laser and 3D printing
Rent a small unit, add a laser cutter and 3D printers, and make detailed models for architects and developers full time.
- £8k-40k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Small animation studio for brands and broadcasters
Build a small team producing animated adverts, films and series work for brands and broadcasters.
- £5k-25k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Vehicle and shopfront graphics studio
Print, cut and fit decals for vans, cars and shop windows from a small unit.
- £8k-35k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Painting studio with classes and rentable desks
Rent a small unit and earn from classes, workshops and artists renting studio space.
- £8k-35k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Sign and vehicle graphics workshop
Run a small unit making signs, banners and van graphics for local businesses, with a wide-format printer.
- £8k-40k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Small advertising agency with a studio
Run a small team from rented studio space, handling campaigns, design and media buying for several regular clients.
- £5k-25k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Band rehearsal studio in a small unit
Rent out a soundproofed room with a PA and backline to local bands by the hour.
- £5k-25k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Small print and mailing studio
Run a small unit that prints, folds, packs and posts mailshots in-house for business clients.
- £8k-40k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Custom t-shirt print studio in a small unit
Run a small print studio with screen or DTG printing for bulk orders, teamwear and retail customers.
- £6k-30k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Invitation printing studio with a small unit
Run a small studio or unit printing invitations and event stationery in-house for couples, parties and planners.
- £5k-25k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Costume hire and sales unit
Run a small unit or shop hiring and selling costumes to theatres, schools, film crews and performers.
- £8k-40k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Glass awards and trophy engraver
Run a small workshop making engraved glass awards and gifts for businesses, schools and clubs.
- £10k-40k
- Part-time
- Own premises
About these ideas
Ideas include a small video production studio, a glass blower with your own studio and a ballet school with your own studio. Before you commit, think about how you will cover rent and running costs while you build up customers. Check what kit is genuinely essential and what you could buy second-hand or lease. It also helps to test demand locally first, perhaps with a few paying clients, before signing a lease.
More ideas
- Photo print shop with walk-in service
- Airbrush and modelling supplies shop
- Model design studio in a small unit
- Pottery studio with wheels and weekly classes
- Ballet school with your own studio
- Own small tattoo studio
- Product design studio with prototype workshop
- Longarm quilting by post
- Tattoo and piercing shop with a small team
- Conservation studio for collectors and galleries
Questions
Why do some creative businesses cost over £20,000 to start?
Costs usually come from premises, specialist equipment and fit-out. A glass studio needs furnaces, a print shop needs machinery, and a tattoo shop needs a compliant, well-equipped space. Check quotes for each item and whether leasing or buying used is possible.
Do I need a licence or permission to open a creative studio or shop?
It depends on the idea. Some, such as tattoo and piercing shops, may need local council registration, while others may need planning, insurance or business rates checks. Contact your local council and an insurer early, and confirm requirements before spending.
How can I fund a creative business costing over £20,000?
Common routes include personal savings, a bank loan, equipment finance or a Start Up Loan, though availability varies. Check the interest rate, repayment terms and any personal guarantees, and keep a cash buffer for the first few months of trading.