When thinking about traditional business hubs, cities such as London, New York, and Shanghai likely come to mind. While there is no question that these destinations are a major draw for businesses of all sizes and industries, many regional UK cities are becoming major players in various sectors.
Unlike major cities, which offer diverse business hubs, smaller destinations are developing reputations as leaders in specific sectors. Read on to learn how certain regional UK cities are competing with traditional hubs.
Manchester – The New Tech City
Manchester has established itself as the UK’s new tech city, offering a more affordable alternative to London. It has become a hub of tech creativity, attracting AI, biotech, ecommerce, and FinTech companies, and was recently named the UK’s most AI-ready city for the second year in a row.
The city isn’t short of affordable modern office spaces, studios, and industrial units, which offer fantastic transport links to attract top talent from Manchester, Liverpool, and beyond. Retailers can convert a studio into an independent boutique, fitting it out to function as both their storage unit and store. Ecommerce retailers of all sizes are also taking advantage of the availability of workspaces, too. Whether you need a small warehouse or a light industrial unit to accommodate your business needs, you can find appropriate industrial space here. A variety of companies like The Arch Company, BizSpace, Industrious and Indurent, all offer industrial space solutions that are worth considering.
What’s more about these workspaces in Manchester is the flexibility surrounding them. Rather than being tied into long-term contracts, demand for shorter leases and adaptable environments has led workspace providers in locations like Manchester to offer solutions that better suit SMEs and scaling businesses. Now, they can scale up and down, relocate where necessary, and better manage this aspect of financial risk. Not to mention, you will find that these workspaces in Manchester are strategically located. Although you already benefit from Manchester’s great motorway access, the location of these flexible workspaces has been chosen to further enhance the customer delivery experience.
Beyond great workspaces, businesses can also recruit talented graduates from Manchester’s outstanding institutions, many of whom possess skills in advanced manufacturing, digital media, and life sciences. Rather than relocating to London and bearing the higher cost of living, Manchester businesses are giving recent graduates more reasons to stay in the Capital of the North, beyond lower living costs. From offering modern, well-run offices, upcoming creative startup communities, networking opportunities, and a good quality of life thanks to a thriving nightlife, access to green spaces, and shorter commutes.
Liverpool – The Home of Health and Life Sciences
While Manchester has made a name for itself in technology, Liverpool has earned a glowing reputation for its health and life sciences clusters. For example, the cultural city has become one of the biggest hubs for vaccine discovery and manufacturing outside of London.
The Life Sciences Innovation Zone is also expected to establish Liverpool as a major leader in the field, as it is currently seeking £800 million in government and private investment to create 8,000 jobs in the city.
Outside of health and life sciences, Liverpool is often cited as the “Hollywood of the North,” home to The Depot and Littlewoods Film Studios, with the city providing a backdrop for major films and TV series worldwide.
Bristol – A Creative Magnet
London may be a hub for banking and finance, but Bristol currently dominates in creative media, aerospace, and quantum computing. The city has established itself as the capital for silicon design and robotics in the UK, making it a global aerospace destination that attracts major brands such as Airbus, GKN Aerospace, and Rolls-Royce.
The city is the Big Smoke’s biggest rival for TV and media production, with talented graduates often settling there to take advantage of its many creative opportunities. For instance, it is the proud home of Aardman Animations, an international leader in stop-motion and film.
Leeds – A Finance and Health Hub
Leeds currently has the largest financial and legal sector in the UK outside the capital, earning it the nickname “the London of the North.” For instance, many major organisations have offices in the city, including the Bank of England and the FCA.
In addition to attracting major law firms and financial institutions, Leeds is home to NHS Digital’s national HQ, which has resulted in the city attracting a whopping 5,780 technology companies, including government health data and pharmaceutical firms.
