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UK Businesses For Sale

If you’re looking to buy a business in the UK, Chelsea Corporate is here to help. Our unrivalled client services, in-depth analysis of every opportunity and the most extensive database of successful business owners looking to sell in the UK makes us the perfect choice to broker your business acquisition.

Our specialist team can help you to acquire a UK business whether you’re a UK or foreign national. We can find the perfect off-market opportunity to meet your needs, and assist with each step of the process, from the initial research through negotiations and the final sale.

Whether you’re looking to expand your existing business, or purchase an established business to break into a new industry or niche, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our experienced business brokers today.

Speak To A Business Acquisition Specialist

Simply fill in the form below to book a free, no obligation consultation with one of our business acquisition specialists. 

    Our Recent Clients

    Off Market Businesses Available to Buy

    Below is a small segment of the available businesses we are able to facilitate the purchase of. The bulk of our current owners looking to sell prefer to sell off-market, meaning we could have the perfect business opportunity for you.

    Simply call our experienced, friendly team today and let us know what you’re looking for! Alternatively, if any of the below businesses are of interest to you, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

    Find Your Next Business Opportunity

    Industries Seeking Immediate Business Buyers

    Below are a handful of the industries that we are actively searching for business buyers to represent. Each business opportunity, including large companies, SME businesses and similar businesses offers plenty of potential for the right investor or acquirer.

    We have a range of connections in these industries who are selling business assets, including both regional and national businesses:

    Experienced Business Brokers

    Here at Chelsea Corporate, our team of dedicated business brokers work to pair prospective buyers with the best business opportunity. Whether you’re looking for any commercial property with a certain annual turnover, or if you’re looking for specific kinds of businesses for sale, our experienced team is here to help.

    We work with a wide range of buyers and people selling businesses, and our blue-chip client base means all the business opportunities we broker have the potential to be extremely profitable commercial enterprises.

    Whether you’re looking for a London business, a town centre business in an accessible setting, or you need to find businesses which can be operated from anywhere, get in touch with our business brokers today.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Chelsea Corporate is one of the UK’s leading providers of business brokerage services. Our specialist team works on both the buyer and seller sides of business brokerage, allowing us to deliver the best possible deal for all our clients.

    As part of our service, we take an organised approach to sure that you are fully aware of what you’re buying, including every debt, asset and employee within the established business. That means, once you’ve signed on the dotted line, there are no nasty surprises waiting for you.

    Whatever kind of business you’re looking to buy, whether it’s a local, successful business, a national company or even an international business, our experienced team of business brokers are here to help. We have an excellent reputation and provide full support throughout the process, and will do everything in our power to streamline the purchase, helping you to take over your new business as soon as possible.

    From the initial offer, to due diligence and the final acceptance of the business buy, our experienced team offer complete support through the entire process.

    As a leading business broker, our experienced team can help you to find the right existing business for you.

    Whether you’re looking to enter a new industry, niche, or you’re looking to expand an existing business, our experienced team are here for you.

    Whether you’re looking to acquire a business opportunity in central London, North London, or anywhere else in the UK, or something extremely specific – such as a professional beauty salon specialising in facial treatments, a spray booth and other fittings, an accommodation included, suspended ceiling business with high footfall and single-fronted premises or a franchise sales counter with double-fronted premises, chairs providing seating and huge potential in a prime location, our experienced team are here for you.

    Over the years, we’ve helped individuals and existing businesses to purchase a range of businesses and assets, including: 

    • Restaurant Business,
    • SME Business & Small Businesses,
    • Manufacturing Business,
    • Work From Home Sales Business,
    • Hair and Beauty Salon,
    • Fittings Included Businesses,
    • Well Established, Well Known Businesses

    For more information on our off-market business aqcuisition services, including support for business acquisition and sale in London, don’t hesitate to get in touch today.

    While the exact process of buying a business is extremely dependent on your exact scenario, typically, you can break down the entire process into seven simple steps:

    1. Find The Right Business

    Whether you’re looking to purchase a specific business, or acquire a business in a specific niche, the first thing is to discover the right business for your acquisition. It can be extremely useful to make sure you have a proper understanding of the business you’re looking to acquire.

    This is one of the areas where professional brokers can help. We can provide a comprehensive service, including identifying off-market sellers in your industry, matching certain conditions that you’re looking for.

    2. Do Your Research

    Once you’ve discovered a business that you’re interested in acquiring, it’s extremely important that you carry out your research. This is one area where a team of professional business brokers may be able to help.

    For example, here at Chelsea Corporate, we specialise in finding the right business acquisition opportunities, in addition to total businesses and particular business assets.

    3. Initial Viewing & Valuation

    Once you’ve settled on a business, the next thing is to review the opportunity. Whether you’re working with brokers to evaluate an off-market seller, or you’re looking to acquire a business yourself, you need to make sure you’ve viewed and valued the business correctly.

    The important thing is to be discreet; remember that the business owner may not want their staff to know that they are selling.

    However, it is extremely important that you’re thorough and record key findings as part of your valuation process.

    When you record key findings, make sure you are extremely clear and detailed. Use simple language where possible, and make a clear list of all kinds of information about the business, including:

    • Earnings & Finances, including Annual Net Profit.
    • Full List of Commercial Assets & Financial Situation, including Intellectual Property, Commercial Property, Employees & More.

    4. Arrange Finance

    If you don’t have an endless supply of personal funding, your next step is to arrange finance to ensure your acquisition is as viable as possible.

    Here in the UK, if you’re looking to acquire a business opportunity, lenders generally require:

    • Details of the Business / Sales Particulars.
    • Accounts For The Last Three Years.
    • Financial Projections.
    • Details Of Personal Assets & Liabilities.

    Here in the UK, there are dozens of potential funding sources you can consider when looking to purchase a business.

    5. Make A Formal Offer

    Once you’ve decided to acquire a business, and secured all your funding, your next step is to make a formal offer to acquire the business.

    If you make a formal offer in a meeting, or over the phone, it’s important that you follow up with a written offer.

    As an insurance policy, it’s also worth including the phrase “subject to contract” in the letter subject and offer – this can help you avoid potential legal issues if situations change before you, or the business owner, signs a contract.

    6. Negotiate The Final Deal

    Before completing the sale, you’ll need to carry out negotiations with the business owner or their representative.

    This negotiation period can also be a great way to become a little more familiar with the business before completing the sale.

    You and your solicitor, or business broker, need to very all the information available to make sure you’re making the right choice.

    If you’re buying commercial premises as part of your business acquisition, its also worthwhile carrying out an independent survey and valuation, just to make sure you aren’t acquiring a property that costs you more in repairs or maintenance than its actually worth.

    7. Complete the Sale

    Even once you’ve completed your negotiations in terms of price and the actual terms of the sale, the deal could still fall through. Until you have the following, the deal isn’t down, and you can’t afford to get complacent – even if every party in the deal is keen to complete.

    The conditions that you need to meet before acquiring a business in the UK include:

    • Verification of Financial Statements
    • Transfer of Leases
    • Transfer of Contracts / Licences
    • New VAT Registration or Transfer of Existing VAT
    • Transfer of Total Financies

    For more information on the exact process of acquiring a business, don’t hesitate to get in touch today.

    If you’re looking to buy a small business in the UK, the best thing to do is to go through a professional business broker. Here at Chelsea Corporate, we can guide you through the entire process, and even help you to identify potential issues or problems when purchasing a business. Thanks to our many years’ experience, industry-standing and wide range of clients and businesses for sale, we can help you to find the perfect small business for purchase.

    The amount of time it takes to purchase a business depends on a range of factors. These can include the size of the business, its location, and the negotiations between you and the seller.

    As a general rule of thumb, it can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months to buy a business. UK acquisitions can sometimes be held up due to Companies House information being wrong, or certain legalities not being fulfilled.

    However, our team at Chelsea Corporate has a wealth of experience in business acquisitions, meaning we can often streamline the process and help you to acquire the perfect business for you as quickly as possible.

    From the initial research phase, through to finance transfer and final sign off, our experienced team are here to guide you on your business acquisition journey.

    The best time to acquire a business depends on a wide range of different factors, and aren’t necessarily the same for different acquisitions.

    Depending on when in the year you’re buying or selling a business, and the wider economic state of the UK as a whole.

    At the end of the day, the best time to purchase a business, if you’re looking for a great deal, is when a business has overreached or is struggling. That can be a great way to get business assets, or even entire businesses, at an extremely low cost.

    Here at Chelsea Corporate, we have direct access to a wide range of off-market sellers, including distressed UK businesses, owners, banks and insolvency practitioners.

    If you want to buy a business – either one that we have listed, or one that is currently off-market, you need to talk to a professional business broker. Here at Chelsea Corporate, we have many years’ experience when it comes to selling and buying businesses of all kinds.

    For more information on how to purchase a business, or even find a business that might not currently be listed for sale, talk to our experienced team today. We offer a no-obligation consultation to help get the ball rolling, and start you on your way to purchasing your new a business. Whether you’re buying or selling businesses in the UK, we offer a comprehensive service to suit your needs.

    From the initial viewing to due diligence, final leases transfer from current owners and dealing with potential litigation issues, our experienced team are here to help.

    The documents you’ll need can vary depending on the industry, size and location of the business that you intend to purchase. Generally, you’ll need a copy of the following documents before you should purchase any kind of business:

    • A business plan
    • Financial statements for the past three years
    • Tax returns for the past three years
    • A list of current and previous customers
    • A list of suppliers
    • Documentation relating to any outstanding loans or debts
    • The business’ Articles of Incorporation (if it’s a corporation)
    • The business’ bylaws (if it’s a corporation)
    • A list of current employees and their job descriptions
    • Copies of any leases or contracts the business is currently bound by
    • Any patents, copyrights or trademarks held by the business

    For more information on the specific documents you might need in order to purchase a business in the UK, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our experienced team today.

    There’s no simple answer to how much a business usually sells for. There are dozens of different factors which go into valuing a business for sale. These include:

    • Annual Turnover
    • The Setting or Location of The Business
    • The Business’ Assets (Including IPs, Commercial Property, Equipment, Vehicles, etc)
    • The Training or Knowledge Required to Run The Business
    • A Business’ Employees (And Their Skillsets)
    • The Company’s Branding, Reputation and Goodwill

    If you’re looking to sell a business, it’s worth nothin that the value of your business will depend on all these factors, and you might need to enter negotations if you’re looking to sell a business in the UK. Here at Chelsea Corporate, we’re buy-side brokers, but that doesn’t mean we won’t help you to get the best deal for your business. Our experienced team offer business sales for a wide range of niches, including everything from distribution companies to nurseries with a great ofsted rating, and one-stop shop style businesses – either physical retail or eCommerce. Our hard work means you’ll get the best possible deal, whether you’re selling or buying a business.

    A financial statements transfer is the process of sending financial statements to the potential business buyers. These are typically written statements which convey the business’ activities, in addition to its financial performance.

    These statements will typically not include any mention of personal assets, but only assets and finances which are relevant to the business itself.

    The financial statements transfer is essential for finance lenders, and will record key findings and information about the existing business.

    There may be specific papers, statements or information relevant to your specific business sector, and these are essential to the purchase process.

    These financial statements are used in a wide range of sectors and niches, including both large and small businesses. As an essential form of written communication and record-keeping, these statements can often be part of the make or break decisions, particularly if the buyer is choosing between two or three businesses with similar financials.

    There are dozens of things a buyer should look for when they’re looking to purchase businesses for sale. These include:

    • Fantastic Potential – When buying a business, there typically needs to be a good reason for it – you need to make sure that the available details of your business show it to be a great opportunity for growth. However, that potential can take a range of forms. For example, if you’re looking to expand an existing business in your local area, it’s typically better to buy a fairly local business. Each business buyer will see different levels of potential in a business, depending on their own experience, assets and abilities. If the business offers a rare opportunity to take over a successful business in a competitive niche, with highly recommended products and services, then it is likely to sell for a premium.
    • Annual Turnover – A business with a low annual turnover is often much easier to manage than one with a high annual turnover and, even more importantly, a high net profit or potential for net profit. If you’re looking for a business that will provide you with a good return on investment, it’s important to look for one with high potential future earnings. Fortunately, our team can help you to identify these businesses.
    • Employees – One of the most important things to consider when buying a business is the staff. After all, they will be responsible for keeping the business running on a day-to-day basis. If you’re looking for a business with a good team in place, that’s something our team can help you with.
    • The Premises – The location of the business is also important, especially if you’re looking to buy a brick-and-mortar business. If you’re looking for a business that can be easily relocated, that’s something our team can help you with. Many of the businesses we partner with have an accessible trading position in a densely populated area, giving them huge scope for long-term growth and investment.
    • The Current Owner – Whether the buyer is looking to acquire a business alone, or buying premises with it, they’ll want to know about the current owner. Why they, or you, are deciding to sell, the problems you’ve faced and your experienced in the industry. More than the available details of your niche, you’ll be able to provide the buyer with the latest advice in your field. It’s one of the reasons why so many business buyers request an overlap period, where you or your senior staff promise to stay on for a pre-arranged period of time.
    • The Asking Price – Finally, it’s important to consider the asking price of the business. In many cases, the asking price will be negotiable, so it’s important to talk to our team about this. These are just a few of the things you should look for when you’re buying a business. Of course, our team can help you with all of these things, and we’ll be more than happy to answer any questions you have.

    Although we’re based in London, Chelsea Corporate work with businesses and individuals across the world to find and broker the best business deals. Whether you’re looking to buy a UK business, based in Scotland, Greater Manchester, London or anywhere else in the UK, or an international business in a highly desirable setting (inside the EU or out), our experienced team can help.

    We have extensive experience when it comes to brokering and advising on international business sales, so whether you’re looking to sell or buy a new enterprise, our dedicated, professional team are here for you.

    One of the most common questions asked is whether buying a business for sale is a good idea as a complete beginner. Perhaps you’ve never owned a business before and would like to move away from a regular job and do something more exciting.

    Unfortunately, the sensible answer is that this is normally a bad idea, and for several reasons:

    • Your competitors will be at home in the industry and know far more about it than you. While you’re still learning the ropes, they will be implementing strategies you haven’t even heard about.
    • You may fall foul of regulatory issues unless you hire outside help like a broker or a lawyer. This represents a significant hurdle to entry to the market.
    • Buying a profitable business is expensive. You will have to work through initial costs and/or debt from the acquisition until the business can make you significant money (an issue you may not face should you start your own business).

    As brokers, we would advice you to think very carefully before buying a business as a complete beginner.

    Yes, when buying a business, it is extremely likely that you’ll be required to pay some form of stamp duty. The amount, and even the kind of tax you may be required to pay, depends on the size, profitability and industry the business operates in.

    If you’re not certain whether you could be required to pay stamp duty on your UK business, get in touch with our experienced team of business brokers today. Alternatively, you can consult the official gov.uk website for the latest information on the kinds of stamp duty and tax you may be required to pay.

    Yes, we can! Our experienced team of business brokers can work with you to acquire a city centre business anywhere in the UK.

    Many of the city centre businesses we can connect you with are looking for a price-reduced, quick retirement sale, and come with experienced current staff.

    Whether you’re looking for a business with an excellent reputation, a certain amount of annual turnover or even a retirement sale, don’t hesitate to get in touch today.

    However, we would advise that, if you’re acquiring a commercial property of any kind, that you have your own survey carried out on the building / buildings. Your own survey or surveys can help you avoid potential issues, which could end up costing you even more in repairs, renovations or limitations on changes you can make to the property in question.

    What’s more, our experienced team can also help you to acquire your new business across the UK! No matter where in the UK you’re looking to purchase a business, don’t hesitate to get in touch today. Our Areas We Cover page has a list of some of the areas that we serve, but we are able to acquire opportunities outside of these areas too.

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