Skip to main content
We're here with practical information for your business. Learn about business planning, running a business and more.

Search

For a successful business, you need a viable business idea, the skills to make it work and the funding. Discover whether your idea has what it takes.

Forming your business correctly is essential to ensure you are protected and you comply with the rules. Learn how to set up your business.

Advice on protecting your wellbeing, self-confidence and mental health from the pressures of starting and running a business.

Learn why business planning is an essential exercise if your business is to start and grow successfully, attract funding or target new markets.

It is likely you will need funding to start your business unless you have your own money. Discover some of the main sources of start up funding.

Businesses and individuals must account for and pay various taxes. Understand your tax obligations and how to file, account and pay any taxes you owe.

Businesses are required to comply with a wide range of business laws. We introduce the main rules and regulations you must comply with.

Marketing matters. It drives sales and helps promote your brand and products. Discover how to market your business and reach your target customers.

Some businesses need a high street location whilst others can be run from home. Understand the key factors from cost to location, size to security.

Your employees can your biggest asset. They can also be your biggest challenge. We explain how to recruitment and manage staff successfully.

It is likely your business could not function without some form of IT. Learn how to specify, buy, maintain and secure your business IT.

Few businesses manage the leap from start up to high-growth business. Learn what it takes to scale up and take your business to the next level.

Revealed: best UK cities for women to start a business

13 April 2021

A new study has identified the UK cities where women have the best chance of starting a successful business.

Payments provider Dojo has analysed data from the past year to find the best UK cities for starting a business and specifically those places that give female entrepreneurs the best chance of success.

York is the best city in the UK for female entrepreneurs according to the research, closely followed by Wakefield, Stoke-on-Trent and Sunderland.

The study has focused on six key metrics in order to identify cities with the best working conditions for women to start a business: five-year business survival rates, the cost of living, average weekly pay, the number of female employees, the number of female business owners and the gender pay gap.

The findings show that the ten best cities overall for women business owners are: York, Wakefield, Stoke-on-Trent, Sunderland, Wolverhampton, Southampton, Plymouth, Perth, Hereford and Peterborough.

York takes the top spot, with 9% of female bosses and 66% of women in work. It has the third highest five-year business survival rate at 48% and several women-only networking groups such as York Women Mean Business.

In second place, Wakefield has 5% of female bosses and 66% of women are in work. It scored second place in both categories of the best places to start a business as a woman and the best place to start a business overall. Like York, the city has several networking opportunities for women, including Wakefield Women's Business Club.

Written by Rachel Miller.

Stay up-to-date with business advice and news

Sign up to our lively and colourful newsletter for new and more established small businesses.

Contact us

Make an enquiry