Anyone contemplating starting a new business, especially a bricks and mortar one, needs to factor in current economic conditions. The UK might just avoid recession in 2024, and inflation has now fallen to 3.9% (November 2023). However, consumer spending is being curtailed due to higher costs of living, and unemployment is expected to increase during 2024. Many self-employed businesses, in particular, are struggling to cope with higher costs, and their take home pay is not rising in line with inflation.