In the UK there are at least 3 types of PhDs: 1) PhD by thesis, 2) PhD by publication and 3) profesional PhD.

Options 2 and 3 may be compatible to what you want. It really depends on your advisor, the source of funding, and your motivation. There are many reasons to pursue a phD that doesn require an academic motivation and you are entitled to your own reasons. I've met people that have done PhDs while also having a Job but those are the exception rather than the norm and challenging to say the least.