City Spotlight: A Quick Guide to Franchising in Brighton

Brighton is famous for its sea-front location, pebble beach and historic pier - but did you know it’s also a great place to set up a business? We’ve created a quick guide to franchising in Brighton.

---

With two universities and convenient transport links to London, Brighton has lots to offer prospective business owners. It’s gained the attention of numerous organisations, and it’s the first city to be named a UNESCO biosphere in 40 years.

Brighton could be the perfect spot for you to take control of your career. Keep reading to find out why we believe you should consider running your own business in Brighton.

---

>> Read more:

• 5 Qualities of a Successful Franchisor
• 4 Things Franchisees Never Have Time for But Are Essential for Running a Successful Business
• How to Launch a Franchise and Get Noticed
• 4 Elements of a Successful Franchise
• How to Start a New Business on a Shoe-String Budget
• The Ultimate Guide to Franchising Success

---

An overview of Brighton

More than 860,000 people live in Brighton, with an average age of 42.4 years. The city’s population is slightly older than in England and Wales as a whole, where the figure sits at 40.3. And 61.8 percent of Brighton residents are of working age, compared to 62.3 percent in England and Wales. Overall, the city has a larger share of over-65s - 21.5 percent of the population in comparison to 18.5 percent elsewhere.

Average salaries in the region vary from a low of £29,200 in Adur and a high of £37,700 in Brighton and Hove. In the UK, workers see an income of £38,600 on average.

Brighton homeowners tend to pay more for property in the city, spending around £358,000, well above the typical £303,000 asking price in England and Wales. And households have an average of 2.25 residents.

Brighton has good transport links to London, and you can get to Gatwick Airport, just north of the city, by car or train within 45 minutes.

Running your own business in Brighton

The city is thriving as a commercial centre. The number of active businesses in Brighton and Hove increased by 20 percent between 2012 and 2017, and there are now almost 16,000 organisations up and running.

Here’s a quick run-down of some of Brighton’s biggest industries:

• Digital - Brighton’s digital sector has more than 1,500 high-value businesses and is increasing its number of jobs at the sixth-fastest rate in the UK. The city’s industry as a whole has grown by over 40 percent in the past five years and is now worth more than £500 million. Brighton specialises in immersive technology, artificial intelligence and augmented reality. Plus, it’s heavily involved in the trial and roll-out of 5G.
• Advanced engineering - Around 400 businesses work in this sector, as well as the University of Brighton’s Advanced Engineering Centre. This research hub has previously led pioneering investigations into fields including applied thermofluids. Its researchers benefit from a £14 million investment into state-of-the-art facilities to support innovation.
• Life sciences - The city’s life sciences industry revolves around its two leading research institutions. The University of Brighton encompasses the School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, the Centre for Regenerative Medicine and the Brighton Musculoskeletal Research Centre. The University of Sussex collaborates with businesses focussing on cancer treatment and brain injuries across the Genome Damage and Stability Centre and the Sackler Centre for Consciousness Science.
• Creative and media - The city has an exciting creative scene, with Brighton Festival and Brighton Fringe, the biggest arts festivals in England. It’s also referred to as the ‘birthplace of film’. The region is now home to Brighton School of Art, which has alumni including Raymond Briggs (The Snowman author), Julien Macdonald (fashion designer) and Barbara Hulanicki (founder of Biba).
• Tourism - Over 18,000 people work in Brighton’s tourism industry. The seaside location attracts more than 10 million visitors every year, who spend a combined total of around £885 million. In fact, Brighton and Hove is one of the top 10 most visited places in the UK (Visit Britain) and the 11th most popular British city among international visitors (ONS).
• Financial services - Finance is a large industry for Brighton, with roughly 19,000 employees. The city hosts the European headquarters of American Express, as well as renowned insurance companies, including Legal & General.
• Sustainability - Brighton is a leading city for green energy, thanks to its geographical location. It benefits from research by both of the region’s universities and the UK’s first MP from the Green Party. The City Council has introduced a Sustainable Buildings policy, and certain new developments must have zero carbon status.

Franchising in Brighton

Many budding franchisees choose Brighton for its leading research institutions and thriving arts scene. The city makes a fantastic setting for a franchise business, particularly those in the IT, hospitality and financial services sectors.

---

>> Read more:

• The Best Franchise Model For You – And Your Pocket
• Could a Start-Up Franchise Be The Perfect Opportunity For You?
• Top 10 ways to find the perfect franchise for you

---

If you move to the city, you’ll find plenty of support close at hand. The Brighton Business Expo is the region’s largest networking opportunity for entrepreneurs. It’s free to attend and offers a range of informative seminars and speeches by industry experts. You can also meet a huge community of like-minded people, including exhibitors who can tell you more about their business.

Hopefully, this guide to franchising in Brighton has given you a better idea of the opportunities open to business owners moving to the area. As well as publishing in-depth articles, Point Franchise also works to match savvy investors with their ideal business partnership. Take a look at our diverse selection of franchises looking for new representatives in the city to see your options.

You can also find out more about the wonderful world of franchising by reading our other business guides. We work to bring you the latest news and insights from across the franchise industry, so if you have a specific concern, use the search box to find relevant information.

*Statistics taken from Plumplot.co.uk, VisitBrighton.com and Brighton-Hove.gov.uk