Business Ideas for Working Out and About in the UK

1191 ideas

These 1191 ideas suit people who would rather be on the move than tied to a desk or a shop. Some are trades that take you to customers, such as a local domestic plumber or floor sanding and refinishing.

Swipe through these ideas →

A craftsman shaping a metal bracket at a bench in a small workshop.

Mobile welding and metal repairs

Take a portable welder to customers and repair gates, railings, trailers and fittings on site.

  • £3k-12k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
8,779 UK companies in this field, 13% registered in the last 2 years
Installer fitting a frameless glass shower door in a bathroom.

Mobile shower door supply and fit

Measure, supply and fit glass shower doors and enclosures at customers' homes, with no shop needed.

  • £800-4k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
7,568 UK companies in this field, 19% registered in the last 2 years
A beekeeper in a protective veil lifts a honeycomb frame from a hive.

Small-scale local honey producer

Keep a handful of hives and sell jars of local honey at markets, to neighbours and to local shops.

  • £600-2.5k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
1,696 UK companies in this field, 27% registered in the last 2 years
Upholsterer re-covering an armchair in a repair workshop.

Mobile furniture repair and touch-up

Fix scratches, loose joints and damaged finishes on furniture at customers' homes and businesses.

  • £500-3k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
1,955 UK companies in this field, 35% registered in the last 2 years
Shelves of power tools and construction equipment in a trade supply store.

Mobile trade tools and supplies van

Drive a stocked van to building sites and trade yards selling tools, fixings and consumables.

  • £8k-30k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
905 UK companies in this field, 27% registered in the last 2 years
Team of sled dogs pulling a sled across a snowy mountain trail.

Sled dog rides on a partner estate

Offer sled dog rides on an estate, farm park or holiday site that already has visitors, and share the income with the landowner.

  • £6k-30k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
7,667 UK companies in this field, 33% registered in the last 2 years
Instructor leading a group aerobics class in a bright gym studio.

Aerobics classes in a hired hall

Run weekly aerobics classes in a village hall or community centre for local people who pay per session.

  • £400-1.5k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
16,288 UK companies in this field, 37% registered in the last 2 years
A farrier fits a hot horseshoe to a horse's hoof at a forge.

Mobile farrier shoeing at the yard

Shape and fit horseshoes at livery yards and paddocks, working from a forge in your van.

  • £4k-15k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
2,437 UK companies in this field, 16% registered in the last 2 years
Removal workers carrying boxes and furniture into a house on a moving day.

Man and van home removals

Move flats, small homes and single items with a hired or owned van, mostly on a local patch.

  • £1k-12k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
7,340 UK companies in this field, 46% registered in the last 2 years
Removal workers carrying boxes and furniture into a house on a moving day.

Full-service house removals firm

Run a small crew with a larger van to pack, move and unload whole family homes.

  • £8k-40k
  • Full-time
  • Out and about
7,340 UK companies in this field, 46% 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
Wheelchairs and walking aids displayed for customers in a supplier showroom.

Mobility equipment hire with delivery

Hire out wheelchairs, scooters and walkers for holidays, recovery or events, delivered and collected by you.

  • £5k-25k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
2,916 UK companies in this field, 25% registered in the last 2 years
Shelves of alarm panels and CCTV cameras in a security equipment shop.

Home alarm and CCTV installer

Supply and fit burglar alarms, video doorbells and CCTV for homeowners and small shops in your area.

  • £2k-8k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
10,030 UK companies in this field, 26% registered in the last 2 years
A cleaner vacuuming and tidying a modern office floor with equipment.

Evening office cleaning round

Clean small offices, surgeries and shops after hours on a regular contract, working mostly on your own.

  • £200-1k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
24,607 UK companies in this field, 48% registered in the last 2 years
A technician repairing a laptop on a workbench with tools and circuit boards.

Computer repair at people's homes

Visit homes and small offices to fix slow, broken or virus-hit laptops and PCs.

  • £300-1.5k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
4,732 UK companies in this field, 23% registered in the last 2 years
A technician replacing a cracked screen on a smartphone at a repair counter.

Mobile phone repairer who comes to you

Fix cracked screens and tired batteries at people's homes, workplaces or market stalls, with no shop rent.

  • £500-2.5k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
1,514 UK companies in this field, 34% registered in the last 2 years
Built-in kitchen units and wardrobes being fitted in a modern home interior.

Fitted wardrobe and kitchen design-and-supply service

Design and sell fitted wardrobes, kitchens and storage from home, using trade suppliers and local fitters.

  • £1.5k-6k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
3,382 UK companies in this field, 34% registered in the last 2 years
A colourful buffet table with snacks and sandwiches laid out for a children's party.

Party buffet served at the venue

Bring, set up and serve the buffet at halls and homes, so parents can enjoy the party.

  • £1k-5k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
27,708 UK companies in this field, 40% 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
Evening night market with food stalls lit by string lights and shoppers.

Monthly evening pop-up market

Run a monthly evening market in a hired car park, hall or yard, with local food, craft and gift traders.

  • £500-4k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
7,380 UK companies in this field, 47% registered in the last 2 years
Crates of fresh fish and shellfish stacked at a seafood market.

Local seafood delivery round for restaurants

Buy fresh fish and shellfish from ports or markets and deliver by chilled van to local restaurants and caterers.

  • £6k-25k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
4,011 UK companies in this field, 38% registered in the last 2 years
Tourists sitting aboard a tour boat on calm water.

Local boat trip operator

Run sightseeing or wildlife trips from a local harbour, river or lake with one small passenger boat.

  • £15k-75k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
414 UK companies in this field, 9% registered in the last 2 years
Divers preparing gear on a boat for a guided diving trip.

Local dive courses and boat trips

Teach diving courses and run local shore and boat dives as a qualified instructor.

  • £3k-15k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
7,667 UK companies in this field, 33% registered in the last 2 years

About these ideas

Others are built around events and communities, like a market and event food stall or mobile apple pressing days. If you enjoy variety, meeting people and being outdoors or on site, this is a good place to start. Before you choose, think about transport and how far you are willing to travel, what kit you need to carry, and how weather or seasons could affect your income. Also check what insurance, licences or permits the work might involve, and whether you will need to pay for pitches or parking. Start with the ideas that match skills you already have.

More ideas

Questions

What should I check before starting a business that takes me out to customers?

Look at vehicle costs, insurance for you and your equipment, and how far you are prepared to travel. It is also worth checking whether your work needs any qualifications, registrations or permissions, and how you will handle bad weather.

Do I need a licence or permit to trade at markets and events?

It depends on what you sell and where. Check with the local council and the market or event organiser about pitch fees, trading permission and insurance. Food sellers should also check food hygiene registration requirements before they begin trading.

Can I start an out-and-about business alongside another job?

Many people try this, especially with weekend or evening work such as events or workshops. Check your employment contract for restrictions, think about your available hours, and consider whether customers expect daytime availability before you commit.