
A new form of enterprise?
According to a study by Starling Bank, there are more than 100,000 UK micro-businesses and sole traders that run their firms from a garden shed. Not just that, they are currently contributing a staggering £17bn to the economy! I’ve heard of kitchen table enterprises before, but this is a new one for me. This new trend, apparently, keeps stress levels low while saving entrepreneurs money.The perks
For those that prefer to be a little closer to home, with, let’s say, a commute of less than a minute, shed working is proving to the next logical step of their business plan. Almost a third of sole traders and micro-business owners occasionally use their shed as an office, while nearly 2% – around 104,000 – use an outbuilding as their permanent premises. These entrepreneurs are also saving themselves some cash –realistically, we’re looking at more than £8,500 – on things like rent and commuting, as well as a number of other overheads. For those sat picturing an entrepreneur shivering in a draughty old armchair surrounded by cobwebs and garden tools, think again. Many are more than happy to put some of the savings they’ve made to good use by improving their workspace.The potential risks
It is thought, based on Starling Bank’s study, that shed working is less stressful, with those based in outbuildings more likely to have a good work-life balance and expected to have more confidence about the prospects for their business in the coming year. Of course, there might become a time when the suits in power decide to create a new bracket of rates just for these businesses, which would be a huge disappointment as it will only serve to stifle the country’s entrepreneurial talent. Hopefully, that won’t happen. It would be good to see proof that the government really does encourage private enterprise – whether it’s found in a glass-fronted office block or a wood stained shed at the bottom of the garden.Share this story