Jana Gibalova

The conversation about sustainability has never been louder, and it’s something we’re looking to amplify at Realla. Following CoStar’s recent webinar on the importance of ESG and the COP26 summit, here are nine of the most prominent ways that sustainability concerns are shaping trends within the real estate sector.

With Reading being so close to London, it’s a popular place for people to live and work. It’s also an attractive alternative to London for many young professionals, especially as it was recently found to be the seventh best place in the country to find employment. In addition, the town has been named one of the best 'cities' to live and work in the UK and was placed second in the UK for growth.

As well as the city’s great employment opportunities, residents are also attracted to Bristol because of the relaxed lifestyle it offers, the buzz of a vibrant and multicultural city alongside the allure of the beach and the countryside on its doorstep. The region is also one of the most desirable places to live in the UK, with 80 people per week re-locating to Bristol and Bath according to the Office of National Statistics.

While Aberdeen is famous for being the hub for Britain’s oil and gas sector, the city is now redefining itself as a haven for technology companies and continues to build a reputation as a great city to do business. From start-ups and SMEs to international corporations, Aberdeen offers an environment where businesses of all sizes can truly thrive and prosper.

The largest city in Hampshire, Southampton is situated 75 miles southwest of London and is one of the UK’s major ports. Today, Southampton is known as the “cruise capital of Europe”– and for being a city with ambition and alive with opportunity.

Although the retail sector has taken a knock during the pandemic, there will – of course – be winners and losers. Many local shops and producers have enjoyed an uplift in sales, as have businesses selling at-home activities, sports equipment, loungewear, technology and even cookware.

Situated on the edge of the South Downs National Park and hugging the coastline of East Sussex is Brighton and Hove. An energetic, cosmopolitan, modern city buzzing with cultural diversity, economic growth and creativity.

Nearly half of working adults in the UK spent at least some of their time working from home between 6th and 17th October 2021. Though the Covid-19 pandemic continues to change people’s attitudes towards office space, it remains in demand. What exactly are businesses looking for when they begin their hunt for office space now? Let’s find out.

Home to more Nobel Prize winners than any other city, today Cambridge is brimming with learning, culture and innovation. As a result, the city has developed an enviable reputation as a hub for technology, software development, electronics, and biotechnology. In fact, the Cambridge-based Silicon Fen is regarded as the UK’s answer to Silicon Valley, due to its large concentration of high-tech businesses.

Birmingham is the business hub of the West Midlands and one of the most important cities in the UK. Home to just under three million people, it’s bursting with some of the country’s best talent and exciting businesses operating in a huge range of sectors.

As a former European City of Culture, there is a lot going on in Liverpool. From its famous music scene to its beating nightlife and friendly, welcoming culture, Liverpool is an exciting place for any business – start-up or well established. You’ll have excellent networking opportunities with other major names based in the area, along with a big talent pool.

Central London is one of the most prestigious business areas in the world. Whether you work in media, financial services, technology or law, you’ll become part of a networking hub if you base yourself here. Being in the heart of the action also means you have fantastic transport links on your doorstep, world-class bars for team outings and the pick of top UK and, indeed, global talent.

A true hive of activity, Manchester is a bustling, yet charismatic hub of cultural variety. Steeped in history, it has played a huge role in the evolution of the UK, making it the powerhouse that it is today. Business truly flourishes here, and there's no shortage of exciting leisure activities, which demonstrate the city’s well-deserved, fun reputation.

The success or failure of a restaurant can often lie with the decisions you make long before the ribbons are cut on opening day. Customer satisfaction is not only shaped by what you’re serving, but where you’re serving it.

As we’re all well aware of by now, the office has been irrevocably changed by Covid-19. Now the pipe dream of remote work has become a reality for many workers, and office spaces are being used in entirely new ways. Gone are the days of coming to work with a cold and having to show that you were completely incapacitated to stay at home with your laptop.

Step away from the madness of central London and you’ll find a more leisurely pace of life in North West London. You’ll be surrounded by green space, from Hampstead Heath to Horsenden Hill, but it’s still within easy reach of key business districts. If you’re looking to be close to the commercial heart of many industries, without the tourists and premium rent costs, this could the ideal location for your business.

The leafy and lively area of South West London has a little bit of something for everyone. Nature lovers will feel at home taking a stroll around the many green spaces like Wimbledon Common, Richmond Park, Strawberry Hill and Kew Gardens. There are plenty of ponds to picnic by too, in places like Battersea Park, Clapham Common and Wimbledon Park.

After offices were forced to send workers home in spring 2020, businesses have had a chance to revaluate their workspaces. Are employees more productive at home? Is it more cost-effective to reduce office space? Can we offer home working as a perk? Hybrid working is a relatively new term, and it has a few meanings attached to it.

On the north eastern fringes of London are a number of towns that offer quick links to the centre, yet a slower pace of daily life. As the ripple effect from Central London continues to boost areas on the outskirts, towns across North East London are only set to increase in popularity. They can be excellent places for businesses that are looking for a location in the capital, but for a fraction of the cost.

Want to base yourself in the capital but don’t fancy getting caught up in the rush of the tourist traps? South East London could be the ideal area for your new office. You’ll have access to wide-open green spaces, slices of history and quaint residential areas within easy reach of key business districts in the north.

Serviced offices are becoming increasingly popular for businesses, big and small. These plug-in-and-go spaces were once the domain of start-ups and freelancers, but larger businesses are now beginning to see their appeal. But does a serviced office work well when you have 500-plus employees? Let’s weigh up the pros and cons.

North London is a prestigious location for a business. Brushing shoulders with the City of London and Mayfair, it has an upmarket feel and is closely connected to the key business districts. Stretching from Clerkenwell, which neighbours the City, up to the Hertfordshire boundary, North London encompasses many notable locations.

If you haven't found the time to tune into season two of our Commercial Property Pioneers podcast, don’t fret. Here are the key takeaways that we've gleaned from listening to some of the world's most respected property experts.

Make your way south of the River Thames, and you’ll immediately land on one of the most exciting parts of the capital: the South Bank. Here you’ll find everything from The Shard to the London Eye and the National Theatre. Venture even further south, and you’ll find all kinds of creative places to base your business.