Creative business ideas you can start in the UK

258 ideas

These 260 creative business ideas suit people who already have a craft, a trained eye or a skill they want to turn into income. You might consider a made-to-measure dressmaker at home, a business photographer on location or a podcast production service from home.

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Under 1k1k to 5k5k to 20kOver 20kFrom homeOut and aboutOwn premisesOnline
An artist working on a painting on an easel in a bright studio.

Home studio painter taking commissions

Paint to order from a spare room: pet portraits, houses and landscapes for people who want something personal.

  • £150-800
  • Side hustle
  • From home
41,489 UK companies in this field, 27% registered in the last 2 years
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

Silver repairs and commissions studio

Repair, resize and remake silver jewellery and objects for local customers from a small rented studio or unit.

  • £4k-15k
  • Part-time
  • Own premises
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

Online publisher for first-time authors

Help authors get polished books into print and ebook, sharing the work and the sales.

  • £1.5k-8k
  • Part-time
  • Online
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

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
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

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
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
A film crew filming a scene with a camera and lighting rig on set.

Corporate and advert video maker

Make promo films, adverts and training videos for local businesses, working solo or with a few freelancers.

  • £1.5k-7k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
20,931 UK companies in this field, 24% registered in the last 2 years

Documentary and branded film company

Produce documentaries and longer films for charities, brands and broadcasters, building a small team around each project.

  • £3k-15k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
20,931 UK companies in this field, 24% 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

Music producer with a rented studio room

Rent a studio room and offer recording, production and rehearsal-to-record sessions.

  • £3k-15k
  • Part-time
  • Own premises
19,836 UK companies in this field, 26% registered in the last 2 years

About these ideas

Others, like a bookbinding workshop for trade and institutions, rely on specialist equipment and a steady stream of commercial clients. Before choosing, think about who will actually pay for your work and how you will reach them. Some ideas need a workshop or studio, while others can run from a spare room or online. Check what equipment you need, whether your premises or insurance require anything extra, and how much of your time will go on marketing rather than making.

More ideas

Questions

Do I need formal qualifications to start a creative business in the UK?

Often not, but it depends on the idea. Many crafts and design services are judged on your portfolio and reputation. Some, such as tattooing, may involve local licensing, hygiene or registration requirements, so check with your local council before you begin.

Can I run a creative business from home?

Many creative ideas can start at home, such as dressmaking, podcast production or online classes. Check your tenancy or mortgage terms, whether business use affects your home insurance, and whether noise, deliveries or client visits might need permission from your council or landlord.

How do I protect my creative work from being copied?

Copyright can arise automatically in original work, but it is worth checking how that applies to your type of creation. Consider written client contracts that state who owns the finished work, and look into whether trade marks or design rights are relevant to your products.