Bristol out-ranks London as the UK’s best place for start-ups with great opportunities for freelancers and a huge number of co-working space options, according to the results of a new survey released this week.
The research carried out by price comparison website MoneySuperMarket analysed factors such as the number of co-working spaces in each area, average business insurance costs, broadband speeds and the number of start-ups in each city.
Bristol emerged as No 1 – beating London into second place – as it has one of the lowest average business insurance costs (£260), alongside the fastest average broadband speed of all cities in the top five.
Bristol has seen a huge increase in co-working spaces over the past few years – with new ones opening almost every month. These are, in turn, attracting new businesses to the city, especially in the fast-growth tech and creative sectors.
Last week Bristol Business News revealed that city planners had given the green light for around 90 converted shipping containers to be used to create a co-working scheme in the new Wapping Wharf harbourside quarter.
DeskLodge, which converted a floor of 1 Temple Way – the former Bristol Post building – into a showpiece co-working space, pictured, has just opened its second base in Bristol, DeskLodge House, taking over part of the former Unum building on Redcliffe Way.
Other recently opened spaces in the city include Origin Workspace in Berkeley Square and HERE in the former HTV studios on Bath Road.
MoneySuperMarket spokesman said: “Starting out as an entrepreneur is both daunting and exciting. Whether you are leaving the constraints of the traditional nine to five in favour of a freelance career or embarking on new adventures and beginning your own business from a co-working office, location is a key decision, as highlighted by our research.
“For those setting up on their own, employee benefits such as life insurance are no longer available, making the purchase of a new policy a nailed-on essential for any freelancer or business owner that has dependents. For those starting their own enterprise, business insurance is a crucial consideration. In addition, cover required by law, such as employer’s liability insurance, can cover the business’s other liabilities, its assets and employees.”
Nottingham boasts the highest number of co-working spaces per capita – ideal for any start-up – while Brighton and Hove was named as the least favourable city for co-working. Edinburgh was in third place.
