The right location is key for retail start-up businesses, according to a founding member of the successful cosmetics chain Lush.

Rowena Bird said that having a shop that is central and invites traffic will help the new company's future growth prospects.

"If you've got a poor location, you spend all your money on that, you never make as much money as you need," she said.

"If you get your position right then more people can see you and more opportunities arise."

Other tips from the qualified beauty therapist, whose stores now number more than 400 worldwide, include assembling a "good team" of people behind you and making sure employees are well-trained in customer service.

On the whole, "if your heart's in it" a business idea is much more likely to succeed, added Ms Bird.

She said Lush was funded in the beginning through earnings from car boot sales and the founders' credit cards.