If you ever dreamed of stepping into Peggy Mitchell’s shoes and trying your hand at working in Eastenders’ famous Queen Vic pub, you are not alone.
A new survey by insurance experts Premierline has revealed which on-screen businesses Brits would most like to own – and soap opera pubs have come out on top.
The Queen Vic was voted for by ten percent of the survey’s 2,000 participants, narrowly beating The Woolpack from Emmerdale which garnered nine percent of the vote and The Rovers Return Inn from Coronation Street which gained eight per cent.
Also ranking highly is the Trotters Independent Trading from Only Fools and Horses at 10 per cent, Scoops Ahoy from Stranger Things at seven per cent and Agence Grateau from Emily in Paris at five percent.
However, the number one place the nation wishes to take the reins of is Wonka Industries, with the chocolate-making factory totalling more than one in six or 18 per cent of the vote.
Next up is Central Perk from Friends which had 17 per cent of the vote, while a brave 12 per cent said they’d love to take over Fawlty Towers, the madcap hotel run by Basil Fawlty and his wife Sybil or Stark Industries from Iron Man.
When asked why they would like to run these businesses, 37 per cent of respondents said they thought ‘it would be a laugh,’ more than a quarter said they’d love the drama, and 11 per cent believed that they could do a better job than the current manager.
A spokesperson from Premierline said it is ‘no surprise’ that soap operas and well-known onscreen businesses topped the list, because they are ‘familiar, community-driven and feel like workplaces people already understand.’
A new survey has revealed 10 per cent of Brits would try their hand at owning The Queen Vic (pictured) from Eastenders
The Rovers Return Inn (pictured) from Coronation Street was also a fan favourite to own
However, they warned that: ‘These fictional favourites gloss over is the reality behind the scenes which business owners face on a daily basis.
‘In the real world, running a pub, shop or hospitality business means managing serious risks, from property damage (like dramatic fires and floors) to public liability, and staff illness, theft and cash-flow shocks.
‘Without the right insurance in place, even a small incident can quickly become a costly setback.’
Nine per cent of respondents also said they went as far as to draft a business plan for an on-screen business, while 29 per cent say they’ve put some time and effort in to thinking how they’d operate a fictional company.
A whopping 74 per cent of Brits said they’d quit their current role to take on one of these firms right away.
This is due to a variety of factors.
65 per cent of respondents it’s because they’d like to be their own boss one day, while 10 per cent said they’re ready to leave and start up soon, and 20 per cent said they’ve thought about writing a business plan but haven’t got around to it yet.
Wonka Industries was voted the number one place the nation wishes to take the reins of at 18 per cent of the vote
Trotters Independent Trading (pictured) from Only Fools and Horses ranked highly at 10 per cent
However, 27 per cent said they love their current role, with only two per cent saying they live for their job, and six per cent saying they hate their job and can’t wait to leave.
The spokesperson for Premierline added: ‘It’s no surprise that so many Brits dream of starting their own business. For many, it’s about freedom, flexibility and turning a passion into something sustainable.
‘Whether it’s running a café, launching an online shop or going freelance, the appetite for entrepreneurship is clearly stronger than ever.’
‘What often gets overlooked in the excitement of starting out is the practical side of running a business. From protecting equipment and premises to covering yourself if something goes wrong, having the right insurance in place can make all the difference between a minor setback and a major financial hit.’
