Built for Manchester's businesses

Manchester has real strength in digital, media, e-commerce and professional services, and creators and online business owners here don't need a generalist down the road — they need specialists who answer quickly and price fairly. Because we work online, you get exactly that, plus a nudge towards the right local support: GC Business Growth Hub is a good first stop for grants and advice, and our Swoop-powered funding portal searches 1,000+ lenders and grant schemes on top.

What do Manchester creators selling merch and on TikTok Shop need to know?

Selling physical products alongside content turns you into a retailer as well as a creator, with the bookkeeping that implies. Marketplace payouts are net of fees, refunds and promotions, so the figure in your bank is not your turnover; the platform's reports are. Unsold stock has to be counted and valued at the year end, and it sits on your balance sheet rather than in your costs until it sells. Selling goods to EU consumers can bring a One Stop Shop obligation on top of your UK VAT position. Get the structure right early and the reconciliation takes minutes a month instead of a fortnight in January.