Inside quaint market town where people look for second jobs more than any other in Britain

Train going down the tracks in Bury

Bury, which sits just 30 minutes from the bustling centre of Manchester, has been identified as the side hustle capital of Britain.

Residents of the market town are three times more likely than other Britons to have searched the web using terms such as “side hustle” and “make money from home”.

The history books in the town’s museum tell us that as far back as the 17th and 18th century the locals were a hard working and self-reliant with many working for themselves in the woollens and textiles industry.

The remains of weavers’ cottages in Elton, on the west side of the town are testament to their work ethic.

That attitude appears to be just as strong today at a time when a cost of living squeeze has put the biggest strain on household budgets since the Second World War.

Buildings in Bury

Today, the many side hustle and second jobs range from courier work to buying and selling online, together with jobs in hospitality or even simple tasks such as dog walking.

The town is famous as the birthplace of Sir Robert Peel, whose family were heavily involved in the development of the textile mills through the industrial revolution.

However, he became better known as a Prime Minister and the founder of the Metropolitan Police – with its Peelers – which provided the template for the service we know today.

As might be expected a statue to Peel takes a prime position. The bronze likeness was created by Edward Hodges Baily, a nineteenth-century artist best known for his sculpture of Nelson on Nelson’s Column.

Modern Bury has celebrated another renowned local – its most famous daughter – the comedian and actress Victoria Wood with a statue of her own next to the town’s museum. It was unveiled in May 2019.

A train going over a bridge in a field

All the evidence suggests that residents are particularly entrepreneurial with an analysis of Google searches for innovative money-making ideas at a rate of 525.6 per 100,000 residents every month.

Having had major regeneration over the last decade, the high street is jam-packed with well-known stores, as well as food outlets and leisure facilities.

While Bury itself has a population of just over 81,000 the larger Metropolitan Borough, which takes in Ramsbottom, Tottington, Radcliffe, Whitefield and Prestwich, home to 200,000.

A quick search of jobs currently being advertised in the area include vacancies with Amazon as a delivery driver, paying £13-£17 an hour, where people effectively choose their own hours around other jobs and home life.

At the same time DPD is offering self-employed courier jobs it claims can pay more than £50,000 a year. While flexible jobs working as interpreters supporting local public services are also being advertised.

A large brown building on a street

The evidence on Google searches was collated by personal finance experts at WealthUp.

Its chief executive, Riley Adams, said: “The UK’s increased cost of living has meant that many people are looking to supplement their primary income, in order to feel more financially secure.

“If you are struggling to keep on top of your bills, or if you just need to allocate additional money to your personal spending or savings, a side hustle could be a viable option if you have the time.”

He added: “If you love animals and have time in the evenings or weekends, consider setting up a dog walking service and target customers who might not have the time or inclination to exercise their pets.

“Or, if you have little free time to put into a side hustle, consider assets that you already own, which might already be in high demand. If you have a spare room and don’t mind the occasional guest, consider letting it out on Airbnb at a competitive rate.

“Alternatively, if you own a car and work from home, consider leasing out your vehicle on platforms such as Hiyacar or Turo, rather than letting it sit on your driveway.”