Bradford is one of the most affordable cities in the UK to rent commercial office space, according to new analysis of nearly 4,000 commercial property listings across 18 major UK cities outside London.
The research, conducted by money.co.uk, reveals that office space in Bradford costs an average of £12.20 per sq ft per year. By comparison, renters in Bristol, the most expensive city outside London, pay £30.73 per sq ft per year.
The findings highlight Bradford’s competitive edge for local businesses and regional expansion. Office rents in Bradford are 39% lower than in neighbouring Leeds (£20.00 per sq ft) and 13% lower than in Doncaster (£14.08 per sq ft).
Bradford’s average asking rent is nearly three times lower than the UK-wide average of £32.32 per sq ft per year, helping local firms keep fixed overheads down or expand more affordably. Sunderland ranked as the most affordable city, closely followed by Bradford and Doncaster, with no southern cities featuring in the top ten most affordable locations.
Across the UK, the study found that small office rents average £52.55 per sq ft per year – more than three times the £16.60 average for larger spaces over 10,000 sq ft. However, small businesses looking to upsize still face a 116% increase in total annual rent due to the larger overall footprint.
“Rent prices for office premises vary widely between cities,” said Joe Phelan, business loans expert at money.co.uk. “For business owners deciding to expand or open a new office, choosing the right location is important. Considering the full cost of expansion, including rent, fit-out and the working capital needed to cover day-to-day costs as they grow, choosing the right space can help keep fixed overheads down and protect cash flow.”
