To look for businesses for sale in the area you can look in the local press, or visit some of the many websites that deal with the sale of businesses. A small selection are listed below:
Franchises
Around 600 UK businesses are franchised. But what is franchising and would it be suitable for you?
It's a way of setting up in business for yourself but not on your own. With a franchise you run the business. Using methods that have been already tried and tested by another company. This is the franchisor. It is a way of being your own boss without many of the risk factors. However, you are answerable to the franchisor. This approach may not be for some people.
There are a large number of websites that deal with selling franchises.A small number are listed below: