Where’s the best place in the UK to own a commercial property? Clue: King Richard III’s remains are buried there and it is credited with the football Premiership’s biggest upset.
Most of us will identify Leicester from that. What not many do know is that in 2025, it comes top of a different league table: one which examined the likes of business closure rates, burglaries and shoplifting, sales performance, long-term flood risk, and rateable value per square metre.
With retail sales at 100.3% of 2019 levels, the city appears to have has fully bounced back post-pandemic. Commercial properties there remain an attractive investment, with a modest 3.79% increase in rateable value over five years.
And the crime rates are relatively low as well, with only six shoplifting cases and around one non-residential burglary per 1,000 businesses.
Bristol ranked second, thanks again to a relatively low business closure rate of 118 per 1,000 and the fact that investors also benefit from one of the lowest long-term flood risks in the UK. While the city faces a slightly higher crime rate – with nine shoplifting incidents per 1,000, a 2.86% increase in rateable value indicates steady property demand over five years.
Derby, Brighton and Preston completed the top five followed by Southend, Plymouth, Swansea, Luton and Southampton.
Overall, demand for commercial property investment soared by 28 per cent year-on-year in Q4 2024, marking the largest annual increase since Q2 2021, following a second consecutive bank rate cut, according to the Alan Boswell Group which analysed 31 major UK cities, assessing a variety of metrics.
Spokesman Wendy Burgess, said: “The UK’s commercial property market is undergoing a complex recovery, with investor interest growing in certain regions, while challenges persist in others. The surge in demand seen in Q4 2024 suggests a cautious optimism, yet it’s clear that the outlook varies significantly by location.
“Cities like Leicester and Bristol benefit from strong retail sales and appreciating property values, while cities such as Cardiff and Birmingham face significant hurdles, including high business closures and stagnant property value growth.
“Cities with higher crime rates may face rising premiums for burglary and theft coverage, while locations at greater risk of flooding, such as Cardiff, will require more specialised flood protection to safeguard assets.
“With fluctuating property values and the potential for higher vacancy rates, property owners must review their insurance policies regularly. Engaging proactively with insurers can help mitigate potential risks and ensure that coverage aligns with both market conditions and local hazards.”
Full findings can be found here