Your guide to commercial property | Area guides

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

West London is a great place to base your business, as it’s home to several handy amenities and has excellent transport links, both within the city and to other central business hubs across the UK. It’s an exciting place to live and work. If you’d like to know more about renting a serviced or flexible office space in West London, here’s everything you need to know.

Historically, London’s East End was located outside the city walls of London. Over time, small hamlets and villages began to spring up around the Roman road that led from Colchester to Essex. And as the Docklands began to develop, many were drawn to the area as new industrial opportunities arose. Even after their decline in the mid-to-late-20th century, East London had developed its own identity as the edgier side of the capital.

Stockton-on-Tees is bursting with growth potential, attracting many innovative entrepreneurs, start-ups and new businesses. This is reflected in the high levels of investment pouring into the area. In addition to being a great place to do business, Stockton was also voted as the 6th best place to live in the whole of the UK due to the fantastic quality of life and excellent range of amenities residents enjoy.

Situated on the Yorkshire coast, Scarborough is one of the UK’s largest and most famous seaside towns. While the town’s economy has traditionally been underpinned by the maritime, service and tourism industries, it’s fast growing into a digital and creative hub, which is playing a vital role in the area’s regeneration and competitiveness. Scarborough is also known for its focus on innovation, providing a warm and welcoming base for forward-thinking entrepreneurs, start-ups and new businesses.

The Isle of Wight is a tranquil and relaxed place to live, offering residents a superb quality of life, exciting outdoor activities, and a rich cultural scene, alongside a thriving local economy. Over recent years, the island has also benefitted from major investments aimed at rejuvenating the area, not only as a beloved holiday destination but also as an attractive place to live, work and invest.

Isle of Man is a low-tax economy with financial services, manufacturing, information and communications technology (ICT), and tourism forming key sectors of the economy. Consequently, investment in the Island’s infrastructure is a key focus for the government, which is reflected in the Island’s state-of-the-art facilities and fantastic business amenities.

In 2013, Londonderry was awarded the coveted 'City of Culture' title thanks to its unique combination of colourful history, a bustling social scene, and thriving arts and culture sector. This, combined with warm and friendly locals, a low cost of living and excellent quality of life, makes it easy to see why this cosmopolitan city is the perfect place to live and work.

Inverness is regarded as one of the UK's fastest-growing cities with a thriving economy supported by traditional industries including farming, forestry, and whisky distilling, as well as fisheries and maritime industries. In recent years many new sectors such as energy, professional services, hospitality, life sciences, technology, advanced engineering and creative industries have bolstered the economy.

With its cobbled streets, Norman castle and Medieval cathedral, Lincoln is an East Midlands cultural jewel. Lincolnshire county has a population of over 700,000, and many of these residents filter into the city for work and play. Lincoln is a charming place to base a business, but it is also well-connected.

Carlisle was transformed into a mill town during the industrial revolution, and it later became a railway town. It continues to be a major hub in the north and is the administrative centre for both Carlisle City Council and Cumbria County Council. For business owners, the various attractions, along with all the footfall from retail and surrounding destinations, make it a bustling place to call home.