Sunderland is a city in the North West, set on the banks of the River Wear between the cities of Durham and Newcastle-upon-Tyne. It’s one of the north’s most exciting cities and is home to a university, which sits close to the busy docks. If you’re looking to base your business in Sunderland, here’s everything you need to know about working and living in the thriving port city.

There’s more to King’s Cross than the major rail station. It’s home to art galleries, theatres, the British Library, lots of businesses and the charming Regent’s Canal. Just north of Clerkenwell and east of Camden Town, it’s an artsy, creative place. Yet it still attracts businesses from a range of sectors thanks to its enviable transport links.

Our environment can have a huge impact on how we feel, interact and work. By making a few strategic changes, employers can maximise their workers’ creativity throughout the day. But this isn’t the only benefit; having a more ‘creative’ space can do wonders for employees’ mood, mental wellbeing and job satisfaction.

The city of Leicester in the East Midlands is an exciting place to base your business, as it’s one of the most central places in the country. Its excellent transport links also make it easy to travel further afield for business and pleasure. Here’s our guide to living and working in the city of Leicester – where you can find out about everything from rail stations to restaurants.

Kentish Town is a vibrant area of London, located in transport zone two in the borough of Camden. Kentish Town started life as a small settlement along the banks of the River Fleet, but it’s grown into a thriving residential and commercial area in central London.

Kensington is an affluent area of London, west of Hyde Park and the political hub of Westminster. Together with the equally upmarket streets of Chelsea, it makes up the central Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. It’s located in transport zone one and is just a 25-minute tube journey from the City of London.

Islington today is regarded as a relaxed, enjoyable place, as it has been for centuries. In the 17th and 18th centuries, it offered an escape from the city and became home to ale houses, theatres and several tea gardens. It still has an exuberant scene, with many theatres, comedy houses, cinemas and quirky bars thriving in the area.

Isleworth is a small, charming town in the London Borough of Hounslow in West London. The riverside settlement known as ‘Old Isleworth’ is where you can find plenty of pubs and restaurants with the picturesque backdrop of the Thames. Many locals enjoy walking around Syon Park and Hounslow Heath – the local nature reserve, where the hustle and bustle of the city melts away.

Northern Ireland’s capital sits on the banks of the River Lagan and the port city has emerged as a thriving commercial location despite its chequered past. Now, the city is where you’ll find many of the UK’s most important aerospace businesses, as well as lots of companies involved in the missiles industry.

Lively Hoxton is East London at its prime. The area neighbours Shoreditch and is home to some of the capital’s trendiest bars, restaurants and cafes, making it popular among residents and businesses alike. It is a distinctly creative zone, with many start-up tech and design businesses cropping up.

Coventry is a city in the Midlands, around 30 kilometres east of Birmingham. It’s a vibrant place to live and work for many and has a long history as a notable area, dating all the way back to the Roman years. Sitting at the geographical centre of the country, Coventry is within roughly 2 hours’ drive of lots of places, including London, Manchester, Sheffield, Bristol and Cambridge, making it the ideal central spot for businesses with a wide-spread clientele.

In the UK and beyond, there has been a shift in how and where we work. Coworking and other flexible workspace solutions are on the rise, with many freelancers and businesses using such spaces for a competitive advantage. Therefore, there are now many centres that offer co-working, serviced and hybrid offices in London, New York, Tokyo and across the world.  

Leicester is one of the oldest cities in England. People have settled on this Midlands land for over 2,000 years, no doubt to make the most of the River Soar flowing from the Trent. Here’s our rundown of some of the best retail properties to let in Leicester.

Holloway is a popular place for many in the world of media, arts and literature, thanks to its close proximity to central London and the prominent businesses in this field that are based nearby. It’s also known as a hotspot for London’s street artists, whose works give the area an edgier, urban feel than neighbouring districts.

Hounslow is a large town and borough in Greater London. It’s to the west of the city, bordered by Ealing, Richmond-upon-Thames, Hammersmith and Fulham and Hillingdon. Chiswick is part of Hounslow, which is a particularly popular and affluent area.

Lincoln is a historic cathedral city that lies between Sheffield and the Lincolnshire coast in the East Midlands. Its 9th-century cathedral houses one of just four copies of the Magna Carta and the city’s castle has stood since the 11th century, so it’s rich in history.

Holloway, in general, is popular with people who work in arts, media and literature, as it’s close to central London (where many notable businesses in these industries are based). Both areas of Holloway also boast a more urban, creative feel than surrounding neighbourhoods, typified by the area’s popularity with local street artists.

Moving to a new office can be a stressful experience; it’s never just about hiring removal workers to transport your furniture and equipment. From booking an office cleaning service to notifying clients, setting up utilities to reserving temporary storage space, there are many tasks to complete as you prepare to make the move.

South Lanarkshire is one of Scotland’s 32 unitary authorities. It stretches from the south of Glasgow down to Dumfries and Galloway and the Scottish Borders. A number of Glasgow’s suburbs are in the authority, along with charming towns and villages in rural areas. The unitary authority is headquartered in Hamilton, which is a historic town in the north of the area.

As you might imagine, the cost of renting a desk in London can vary hugely; it all depends on the location, the condition of the building and the facilities nearby. When it comes to flexible office space, you can expect to pay between £150 and £1,500 per person per month.

Whether your office lease is up, you’ve outgrown the space, or you simply fancy a change – moving offices can be a daunting experience. But it doesn’t have to be stressful if you plan for it properly and give yourself plenty of time. Here’s our go-to guide to moving offices in the least disruptive way, allowing you to have the most stress-free experience possible.

If you’re looking for a serviced office in Birmingham, which can include everything from bills to council tax to complimentary beers, we’ve highlighted five of the most exciting on the market right now.

Read how online search accelerates commercial property deals in the article featuring Realla in the Raconteur 'Future of Proptech' report in The Times. 

Holland Park is an exciting place to base your business, as it’s just half an hour from central London by tube and you’ll be close to many of London’s wealthiest neighbourhoods. Our guide to Holland Park includes everything you need to know about living and working there.

Business rates are a type of tax paid by most commercial properties in England and Wales. If you own a shop, pub, office, warehouse, factory, guest house or holiday rental home, it’s likely you’ll have to factor this charge into your yearly budget. Local councils send the tax bills to commercial landlords or their tenants in February or March every year.