Jana Gibalova

Over the last several years, Leeds has grown to become one of the country’s most important regional capitals. In the 19th century, Leeds was at the heart of the UK’s industrial machine and having suffered from the closure of these manual industries, Leeds has risen again as a key industrial hub.

The lesser-known Midlands city of Coventry is a great place for a retail business. It has fantastic transport links, thanks to its central UK location, which make it easy to manage deliveries. You may also find that properties cost slightly less to rent than those in its more well-known neighbour, Birmingham.

Manchester has been a leader in the commercial sector. With its national importance stemming back to the industrial revolution, this city has the world’s first industrial estate, Trafford Park, shaping the landscape for modern production in the UK.

Bristol is a multicultural maritime city that buzzes with innovation and creativity. From Brunel’s landmark Clifton Suspension Bridge to Banksy’s satirical street art, plus a dazzling array of shopping experiences from big names to bijou independents, you’ll find this South West metropolis has lots going for it.

One of the UK’s largest cities, Birmingham has a rich commercial heritage. At the heart of Britain’s industrial revolution, it has long been a centre of wealth and commerce, and while many of the industries that powered Birmingham’s growth have declined, the city has resurfaced in recent years thanks to major regeneration projects.

Until recently, the UK’s life sciences sector was seen to be lagging behind. Its challenges were threefold: a lack of data, a lack of expertise and a lack of suitable investment opportunities. Now though, with life sciences regularly on the agenda for government and investors, there are opportunities for the UK to take steps towards establishing itself as a global leader.

London is one of the fashion capitals of the world. So, it is little wonder that it is home to some of the best retail destinations in the UK, if not the whole of Europe. That’s not all. London is also well known for its department stores, from Selfridges to Liberty to Fortnum & Mason, which bring prestige to the capital’s retail sector.

Incredibly lively, diverse, and a notable centre for higher education, Glasgow is a textbook example of a modern industrial and business hub, risen from the remnants of a world famous traditional industrial powerhouse. Potential for future growth and development is huge.

Edinburgh has the strongest economy outside of London, and although city centre space has become limited – a victim of the city’s success – the out-of-town industrial park sector has grown dramatically.

As the second largest city in Yorkshire, Sheffield is uniquely placed in its proximity to other large, metropolitan cities in the north of England. With Manchester to the west, Leeds to the north and Nottingham to the south, its ideally located for businesses to capitalise on access to custom in every direction.

Gateshead is known as a northern economic powerhouse, continuing its growth trajectory, with a focus on cutting-edge industry and innovation. Its location in the North East of England is another big draw for businesses. North East England is one of the UK’s fastest growing economies with a highly skilled, flexible workforce, great connections to global markets and a low cost base.

Over the past few years, the term ‘diversity, equity and inclusion’ (DEI) has become a widely used buzzword in the business world, with countless corporate websites touting their commitment to building diverse teams and inclusive cultures. How has the real estate industry fared when it comes to incorporating DEI into the workplace, and how far do we still need to go?

Milton Keynes was voted as the best place for business outside of London, according to a 2020 Centre for Cities report. This, combined with its fantastic transport links, an advanced supply chain, and a highly skilled workforce helps high-value businesses in industrial sectors to thrive.

With its fantastic transport links, solid infrastructure and a highly skilled workforce, Liverpool is enjoying a surge in demand for industrial and distribution space. It was also voted as one of the best cities in the UK for work-life balance due to its cosmopolitan atmosphere, good employment opportunities, and friendly people.

Over the past year, it has been almost impossible to open a newspaper or read an article online without encountering something dealing with the topic of ESG. ESG has become the green buzzword of modern times standing for ‘Environmental’, ‘Social’ and ‘Governance’. Together, the acronym summarises an agenda that will have a major impact on the real estate industry both now and in the future.

Steeped in the history of its industrial past, Leeds is undergoing a renewed renaissance in its importance to the modern UK economy. With plenty of logistics space available at competitive prices, Leeds is once again at the heart of the UK’s industrial sector.

One of the largest cities in the UK, Coventry was a vitally important city throughout the UK’s industrial age. A centre of production for the early watch and bicycle manufacturing industries, the city was best known as a major hub for the British motor industry, with vehicle companies retaining strong links with sites in and around Coventry.

Bristol has grown into a rounded centre of commerce and the spotlight has moved a little. Now, the city is known as a centre of aerospace, automotive and engineering excellence. Bristol and the surrounding areas are also rich in natural resources, with several key quarries still found in the South West.

Over the course of the last two years, a lot has changed for the big six regional markets of Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds and Bristol. As businesses move away from having one HQ and explore regional, hub-and-spoke premises for their business, the future looks bright for the office market outside of London.

Greater Manchester offers an ideal combination of both affordability and excellent connections to the rest of country. Emerging from decades of de-industrialisation, Greater Manchester is today one of the most devolved city regions in England, with a local GDP of over £84 million – one of the largest in the UK.

Once known as the workshop of the world, Birmingham is steeped in industrial heritage. While the metal factories and workshops of years past may be gone, Birmingham’s regeneration as a commercial and industrial hub has ensured that the city continues to play an important role in the UK’s economic picture.

By almost any measure, 2021 proved to be a booming year for industrial properties. Fuelled by ongoing supply chain disruption and growing online sales, industrial sites around the country have enjoyed record levels of demand. By the end of the year, investment into warehouses in the UK had reached more than double the previous year’s levels.

The future of the office has never been more uncertain. After two years of hybrid working arrangements and often limited office usage, there remains no clear consensus on whether offices will continue to be the focal point of company culture, or whether virtual working will be a mainstay.

Edinburgh is a thriving and vibrant city situated in Lothian, a region of the Scottish Lowlands, on the southern shore of the Firth of Forth. The city is one of the most visited cities in Europe, known around the world for its cobbled medieval streets, beautiful architecture, exciting festivals, rich history, and friendly and welcoming people.

Almost every sector was heavily impacted by Covid-19 in 2021, and commercial real estate was no different. With home working prescribed by the Government at the beginning of the year, office space felt temporarily redundant for many. While some enjoyed having home comforts, others missed having a central place for people to come together as a team.