Your guide to commercial property | Inspirations

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.

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.

Merseyside is a rising star in the commercial world. Its largest city, Liverpool, was once a key port city that played a starring role in the 19th century industrial revolution.

West London spans the area from the artistic West End to the edge of the Greater London boundary in the borough of Hillingdon. It includes exclusive districts like Kensington and Chelsea, Westminster and Belgravia alongside more affordable locations like Hounslow, Hillingdon and Harrow.

Hackney is a vibrant borough in east London, just up from central areas like the City of London. There are so many places to visit in the vibrant district, from Victoria Park to Broadway Market to London Fields Lido, making it an excellent place to live and work. You’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to after-work drinks, from unique café/bar Dalston Superstore over on Kingsland High Street to games bar Loading Dalston.

Fulham is a vibrant area in the heart of central London that’s bordered by the affluent districts of Hammersmith, Kensington & Chelsea and Belgravia. Its southern edge hugs the River Thames, offering exceptional views across the water towards Battersea and Wandsworth Park, as well as easy access to South London across Putney Bridge.

Fitzrovia lies in the heart of Central London and spans from the political centre of Westminster in the west to the lively borough of Camden to its east. It’s an attractive place to live and work, thanks to its large number of shops in places like Oxford Street and endless places to head for after-work drinks and dinner.

Finsbury’s central location and close proximity to London’s most creative areas like Shoreditch and Covent Garden, and financial centre The City makes it a highly desirable place to base your business. Retail properties in the area will benefit from high footfall, both from tourists and the high number of workers in Central London and there are plenty of great places to eat, drink and relax after the working day is done.

Elephant and Castle’s bustling nightlife scene and position on London’s thriving South Bank makes it an attractive part of the capital. It is home to nightlife hubs like the Ministry of Sound and tourist attractions such as the Imperial War Museum, but it’s also an excellent place for businesses to base themselves, as Westminster, the City and Covent Garden are all situated just across the river.

Clerkenwell is an area of London that’s steeped in history. It was once a destination of immorality in the capital – containing a notorious brothel quarter during the Elizabethan period. The area is now known instead for its convenient central location, excellent coffee shops thanks to its high population of Italian-heritage Londoners and status as part of the East London Tech City (also known as Silicon Roundabout).

Clapham is just 30 minutes from central London and has excellent transport links. It is home to Europe’s busiest railway station, Clapham Junction, where trains arrive as frequently as every 13 seconds and has three underground stations, making it easy to travel across the city and country.

Chelsea is one of London’s most famous areas, known for its affluence and celebrated high-end stores and restaurants. Over the years, it has become a centre for culture with the likes of the Royal Court Theatre, Saatchi Gallery and annual flower show.

Charing Cross is one of London’s busiest areas, located on Strand and just a few minutes walk from Trafalgar Square. Retail outlets and bars occupy ground floor residences, while offices workers look on from corporate suites above. Surrounded by London landmarks and the city’s theatre district, the streets are not only filled with city professionals, the area also draws huge crowds of global tourists.

London’s financial district is known for its high-rise buildings, bustling atmosphere and corporate image. The area is built on former docklands and has transformed the historic trading site into a series of glittering commercial buildings on the banks of the River Thames.

Famed for its intellectual institutions and literary connections, Bloomsbury is a highly regarded cultural area in London. It is home to the British Museum, the University of London, the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) and Bloomsbury Publishing.

Located in Tower Hamlets, East London, Blackwall is a major commercial area on the banks of the Thames. It is close to Canary Wharf, which has helped it evolve from a primarily residential area to a corporate hub. At one time, Blackwall was part of the Port of London and it played a major role in colonisation and shipbuilding.

Plymouth is a port city with a large harbour and a rich maritime heritage. People have settled here since the Bronze Age and it has been a major hub for trade for thousands of years. Today, it is known for its gin and major naval base.

Thanks to its close proximity to major roads the M6, M54 and M42, lots of companies choose Walsall for their logistics operations. This popularity has led to a surge in purpose-built commercial properties across the area.

Bolton is the fastest growing economic destination in the Manchester city region and is ranked one of the best places in the UK to start a new business. A host of global companies in banking, electronics and food sectors have chosen this city to set up their headquarters, as it is ideal for businesses seeking an accessible UK base.

Kingston-upon-Hull is usually called by its simpler name, Hull. This east Yorkshire city was founded as a major port for the wool trade and has since been used as part of the fishing, whaling, trading and military supply industries.

This large city in the North East has a lot going for it. As a member of the Core Cities Group, it is a major hub for business and industry, and it also benefits from an enviable blend of history and contemporary culture.

Nottingham has undergone major regeneration in recent years, which has taken the city from strength to strength, to become the prosperous landscape of what it is today. Its diverse economy is made up of international companies complemented by small, innovative businesses.

Stockport was once the hub of hat production, as well as the cotton and silk industries. Its commerce benefitted from being connected to the national canal network, and today local businesses and residents still enjoy excellent rail links to Manchester, Liverpool and London.

Bethnal Green is fast becoming one of arty East London’s hippest spots. It borders Spitalfields, which includes Brick Lane, a magnetic draw for artists and fashionistas. We’ve picked 5 of the hottest retail units available in the area.