Part-time creative business owners contribute £15bn to UK economy

Almost a third of British workers run a creative business outside of their main job contributing an estimated £15bn to the UK economy, according to new research published today by Moo.com.

Dubbed as an emerging group of ‘venture creatives’, the research found that one in 10 part-time creative entrepreneurs plan to leave their jobs to focus on their business full-time within the next six to 12 months, while 23% plan to do so over the next three years.

Presenting a positive picture for entrepreneurial activity in the UK, the study also reported a rise in the profitability of those running part-time creative businesses with a 32% increase on last year.

However the majority of those surveyed (60%) stated that it was their passion for the business, and not making money, that motivated them with only 6% using a part-time venture as a means to supplement income.

The most popular part-time creative ventures were those in the food and cooking industry (36% of workers), gardening (34%), baking (24%), photography (16%) and knitting (13%).

In addition, the research alluded that those “most likely to make money from a creative venture” were those that worked in the civil service, followed by those working in business, finance or law.

Moo.com’s vice president of brand and communications, Teresa Pereira, commented:

“Leading a double life is no longer reserved for superheroes as more people are becoming ‘venture creatives’ in fields that are often very different from their main day job.”