Rising Costs And Work-Life Balance Are Driving Britain’s Home Business Boom

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Britain's entrepreneurs are increasingly choosing to run businesses from home as rising commercial costs, greater flexibility and changing attitudes towards work reshape the country's small business landscape.

New research from Dunster House, garden building specialists, found that almost half (46%) of home business owners now rely on their venture as their primary source of income, while a further 28% say it provides a significant financial contribution to their household finances.

The findings suggest that home businesses have evolved far beyond side hustles, with many entrepreneurs deliberately building long-term businesses from spare bedrooms, garages, garden rooms, and other home workspaces.

When asked what motivated them to start a home-based business, respondents overwhelmingly cited lifestyle benefits over financial necessity, with nearly half saying that a better work-life balance was their top motivator.

Why are Brits choosing to run businesses from home?

Motivation	% of respondents
Better work-life balance	47%
Wanted to work remotely or from home	36%
Wanted more flexibility	36%
Turned a hobby or passion into a business	32%
Wanted to leave their job	31%
Wanted to spend more time with family	29%
Started a side hustle to earn additional income	22%
Renting commercial space was too expensive	14%
COVID-19 prompted a change in direction	12%

Although the data shows that quality-of-life factors dominate, cost remains an important consideration. Commercial property rents in the UK have risen by an average of 3.1% annually as of mid-2026, according to the Carter Jonas Commercial Market Outlook and with this rise, many entrepreneurs are choosing to invest in their own properties rather than commit to expensive premises.

Christopher Murphy MBE, founder of Dunster House, said:

"For many entrepreneurs, running a business from home removes one of the biggest barriers to getting started, the cost of commercial premises. As rents and operating costs continue to rise, more people are realising they don't need a high street unit or office lease to build a successful business. Home working has made entrepreneurship more accessible, allowing people to invest in growing their business rather than covering overheads."

55% regularly work evenings and weekends as home businesses blur work-life boundaries

Despite the flexibility and freedom, there are some payoffs that are being experienced by those who do business out of their home. Many entrepreneurs admit that separating work and home life can be difficult.

More than half (55%) say they regularly work evenings and weekends, while almost half (48%) have experienced loneliness or isolation because of running a business from home.

Meanwhile, one in three (33%) have had customers unexpectedly turn up at their home, highlighting the difficulties many face in maintaining professional boundaries. The findings also reveal the growing pressure that businesses can place on domestic spaces, with 58% saying their enterprise has taken over parts of their personal living environment.

To address these challenges, many entrepreneurs are investing heavily in dedicated workspaces. Nearly two-thirds (62%) have already spent money improving their workspace, with respondents investing an average of £5,170 into creating environments better suited to running a business.

When asked what improvements they would make if budget were no obstacle, better broadband and Wi-Fi (34%), improved heating and air conditioning (34%), and a fully insulated garden office (32%) topped the list.

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Feb 9
2 min read

Regal Food Products Group has officially opened a new multi-faith room at Leeds Bradford Airport, reinforcing its ongoing commitment to creating inclusive and welcoming spaces within community and public environments.

Guests joined representatives from Regal Foods, ISSE (Inspire Support Sports Empower) and Leeds Bradford Airport on Friday 6 February to mark the official opening of the new facility.

The landside multi-faith room has been thoughtfully designed to provide a calm and quiet space for prayer and reflection. It is available to passengers arriving at or departing from Leeds Bradford Airport, as well as airport staff and business partners working on site.

The space features newly installed flooring and furnishings, including seating and dedicated footwear storage. Prayer mats and a qibla compass have also been provided to support faith practices.

Regal Food Products Group Plc has a strong track record of delivering multi-faith facilities in public venues. Previous projects include Valley Parade, home of Bradford City Football Club (February 2023), and Headingley Cricket Ground, home of Yorkshire County Cricket Club (August 2016).

Faz Ali, Sales & Marketing Director at Regal Food Products Group Plc, commented:

“We are proud to continue our work in creating safe, inclusive spaces for people of all faiths in places where communities come together.”

“The new multi-faith room at Leeds Bradford Airport provides a welcoming environment not only for prayer, but also for quiet reflection, offering passengers and staff a calm space. We look forward to developing our partnership with Leeds Bradford Airport as we work together to support wellbeing, inclusion and community needs.”

Humayun Islam, Chief Executive of charity ISSE (Inspire Support Sports Empower) Ltd, commented:

"Access to calm, respectful spaces for prayer and reflection in public settings is an important part of creating genuinely inclusive environments. The opening of the multi-faith room at Leeds Bradford Airport is a positive step that recognises the diverse needs of passengers and staff alike.”

“Initiatives like this help people feel seen, respected and supported, particularly in high pressure environments such as airports, and demonstrates how practical design choices can make a meaningful difference to wellbeing and dignity."

Kunaal Wharfe, General Counsel and Company Secretary and DEI Executive Sponsor at Leeds Bradford Airport, commented:

“This new multi-faith room is an important step in ensuring people of all faiths and beliefs feel supported when travelling through Leeds Bradford Airport. We’re grateful to Regal Food Products Group for their support in delivering a calm, welcoming space for passengers, colleagues and business partners.”

“This comes ahead of the delivery of a purpose-built airside multi-faith room, due to open in early 2027 as part of LBA:REGEN, which will also include dedicated ablution facilities.

“These investments reflect our ongoing commitment to inclusion, wellbeing and improving the experience for everyone who travels through and works at LBA.”

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Rising Costs And Work-Life Balance Are Driving Britain’s Home Business Boom

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