Hackney was once east/central London’s industrial hub, with a huge number of manufacturing businesses based there. Now, though, the zone two borough is one of the coolest places to be based in London, thanks to its lively communities, rich variety of dining options and great places to let your hair down when the working day is done.

The city of Wakefield in West Yorkshire was once the battleground for the Wars of the Roses’ bloodiest battles but it’s now a key commercial area in the North West of England. After a tricky economic period, the city’s economy began to flourish once again in the 2000s-2010s, thanks to a number of regeneration projects including the Trinity Walk retail development.

Commercial properties are split into five categories: retail, industrial, office, leisure and healthcare. Due to them having very different purposes, the right location for one is unlikely to be the same for the other.

Scotland is the UK’s most northerly territory and is a country in its own right that makes up the northern third of Great Britain’s main island. Though it became part of the UK in the early 18th century, Scotland has many distinct laws to the rest of the country and has its own parliament and government. Around 5.4 million people live in Scotland.

The cost of renting or buying retail space in the UK varies from city to city. As you might imagine, setting up shop in London will cost considerably more than in other areas, so it’s important you can justify the extra expense. When you look for average costs, most companies will advertise their spaces with a price per square foot or square metre. This means you can easily compare the cost of all your options to find the best deal for you.

Category C properties are a great opportunity for investors – as long as they are open to risk. They tend to be over 20 years old and located in unpopular areas, so there is plenty of room for improvement and growth. But to understand the benefits of a category C property, it is important to understand how the system works, first and foremost.

Cardiff is both the capital of Wales and its largest city, hosting the country’s National Assembly and most of its national cultural institutions. A hive of commercial activity, Cardiff accounts for around 20% of Wales’ GDP, which in 2007 was around £9 billion.

Acton is a popular residential area of West London that sits in the London borough of Ealing.

Fulham is an area in west London that makes up part of the Fulham and Hammersmith London borough.

Everything you need to know about renting commercial property in North England

The Midlands has its fair share of historical buildings and sites of interest, which attract tourists from all over the world. From William Shakespeare’s home in Stratford-upon-Avon in the south-west to Lincoln Cathedral in the north-east, there are plenty of things to see and do.

Northampton is a large town in the Midlands to the east of Birmingham. Historically, the town has been a centre for leather and shoe manufacturing, but now serves as an important retail centre for the wider Northamptonshire area and northern Buckinghamshire.

The Midlands is an exciting place to base any business, whether you’re a retail company looking for a new home or an industrial business seeking a well-connected base. Here’s our pick of the most exciting places for commercial property in the Midlands.

Wales is best known for its cosmopolitan capital Cardiff and historic copper-smelting centre Swansea, but it’s also home to a stunning coastline and three national parks that are ripe for exploration.

Everything you need to know about renting commercial property in South West England. The South West attracts a lot of businesses, as it has good transport links to London but lower property prices than the capital.

Fitzrovia is a Zone One area in central London close to the West End. It’s a vibrant shopping and student area, with endless shops and a high student population due to its close proximity to many of London’s leading educational institutions.

The West Country might be better known for its rolling fields, endless varieties of cider and its stunning coastlines, but it’s also a buzzing business destination. From the media offices of Bristol to the spacious industrial units of Swindon to the leisure properties of Barnstaple, businesses of all varieties flourish in the West Country.

Finsbury Park is a Zone 2 area in North London with a distinctly urban feel. It is directly north of Highbury with Arsenal’s football ground, the Emirates Stadium, located just on the outskirts. At its centre lies the park it is named after. This 110-acre green space acts as a communal hub and is home to a boating lake, café and sports facilities, such as tennis courts, a skate park, running track and areas for ball games.

Wakefield is a small city in West Yorkshire, famed for rhubarb, liquorice and sculpture. It’s just south of Leeds, and nearby Castleford and Pontefract are considered part of the district. Dewsbury, Huddersfield and Halifax are also within a short drive.

For over 2,000 years, London has been at the centre of the UK’s commercial output, and it’s only set to continue. More than 35% of global foreign exchange trading takes place in London – a city home to over 233 languages. It’s a melting pot for different cultures and ideas, making it a hub for innovation.

South East England is known for its beautiful green hills, vibrant coastal towns and educational institutions. It has the UK’s second largest regional economy following London and is quickly becoming one of the country’s leading areas in the technology industry, particularly around the M3 in Surrey, M4 corridor in Berkshire and its county town Reading.

North Lanarkshire is one of Scotland’s 32 council areas and sits in the central South of the country. North Lanarkshire is occupied by many who commute into the nearby city of Glasgow and comprises many of the city’s suburbs.

The South East is the second most populous area in the UK and has the country’s second largest economy, beaten only by Greater London. From international educational excellence in Oxfordshire to the vital transport ports along the coast of Kent, the South East is a great area to base any business.

Whether you're a shiny new commercial property investor or a seasoned pro, you want to do your due diligence before moving forward with an investment. Some of the questions you may have might be about the property's condition, its current cash flow and value, and the potential income.

Signing a lease on a new office is a major milestone. Perhaps you've found a space that you hope will be your company's home for many years. Or, you may be expanding into new cities and opening regional offices – either way, it's a cause for celebration. Michael Hershfield of WeWork explains the importance of understanding both the short and long-term expenses.