A Guide to Office Space in Nottingham

If you're starting up or looking to grow your business, choosing an office in Nottingham is an excellent decision. It's become a hub for business and a major destination for British and overseas companies looking to relocate or expand.

There are several reasons for this, including first-class universities, a talented workforce, and a great venture capital scene.

The city’s biggest industries used to be motorcycles and textile production. Now, Nottingham is home to clusters of life sciences and advanced manufacturing companies. Creative, digital, and financial and professional services firms also thrive in the city.

In this article, we will examine the top seven reasons to open up or expand to the city. We will also discuss the state-of-the-art private offices, coworking desks, and meeting rooms on offer in Nottingham.

Geography of Nottingham

Nottingham is at the heart of the East Midlands, a key region in the UK with a thriving economy and diverse range of businesses.

Nottingham's strategic location makes it a destination for firms that want to establish a presence in this part of England.

The city's excellent transport links make it easy to get to other important commercial hubs like Leicester and Derby. The nearby M42 motorway connects the city with Birmingham, the UK's second-largest city.

London is less than two hours away by train. Access to overseas markets is also convenient thanks to its proximity to East Midlands Airport.

Key business areas in Nottingham

Nottingham has a stunning city centre that's a proven magnet for retail, leisure, and office-based businesses.

The important business zones in the city include:

• The Lace Market: The Lace Market is in the city centre and is home to a vibrant hub of creative and tech firms. Once the heart of the world's lace industry, the area's architecture, cobbled streets, and cultural attractions are notable features.
• Hockley: Near the Lace Market, this trendy central part of town is full of creative studios, cafes, galleries, and boutiques. Hockley's unique character, lively atmosphere, and Victorian grandeur are a draw for startups and established firms.
• Victoria Centre: This is the prime retail and leisure destination in the city. It is an excellent choice for businesses wanting to engage with customers and maximise their visibility. The central location and great public transport links make it convenient for both customers and employees.
• NG2 Business Park: This modern facility is home to a range of firms, from tech startups to corporate headquarters. A wide range of companies base themselves here thanks to its proximity to major road networks and the city centre.
• BioCity: This is the major local hub for the city’s life science, biotechnology, and healthcare companies. The close ties to the city's universities offer firms access to partnership opportunities and the top local talent. The site has cutting-edge labs and a healthy networking and collaboration scene.

5 businesses based in Nottingham

Nottingham’s business scene is vibrant and varied. Large multinationals work close to exciting up-and-coming startups.

Here are five major businesses that have offices in Nottingham:

• Boots UK Limited: Britain’s leading beauty retailer and pharmacy is a Nottingham native. The firm now has 2,200 shops and over 50,000 employees in the UK.
• Capital One: The UK branch of the American financial giant is on Station Street. The firm has grown to become one of Britain’s top 10 credit card providers.
• Vision Express: One of the UK’s leading opticians, Vision Express has 575 branches. Based in Ruddington, five miles from the city centre, the firm employs 5,250 people.
• Games Workshop: This firm manufactures, wholesales, and retails miniature wargames. Founded in 1975, the company markets the Lord of the Rings strategy battle game.
• Buzz Group: This is one of the UK’s foremost safer gambling companies. Its website has won multiple awards, and it has 81 clubs across the UK.

Why you should rent office space in Nottingham

Regus offers fully furnished serviced offices to rent in Nottingham at two prime central locations. Here are seven great reasons to base your business in this vibrant regional capital.

1. Thriving economy

Nottingham's economy is growing quickly, and analysts expect growth to continue for the foreseeable future. Local Enterprise Partnership D2N2 and the city council are very ambitious, which bodes well for the city’s future.

Their stated aim is to move the city into the top 25% of Europe for productivity and prosperity. They’re targeting the creation of 39,000 new jobs in the service and knowledge-based sectors by the early 2030s.

They already have a great base to work from, with 482 high-growth innovation firms in the area served by the local enterprise partnership. The creative, digital, and life sciences sectors based in the city are growing fast, too.

D2N2 and the council are actively seeking partners to invest £9 billion in Nottingham. You can see the effect this is already having from the many prestigious regeneration projects currently happening in the city.

2. Strong tech ecosystem

Nottingham has a strong tech scene that is still growing. This Gigabit City has high-quality, reliable internet service that tech businesses rely on.

Backing up this super-fast connectivity is a talented tech workforce. The talent pool gets wider and deeper with each passing year. That's thanks to the 29,600 creative and digital students attending the city's two universities.

The city's reputation for tech and digital excellence is growing around the UK and beyond. Nottingham is one of eight UK cities with multiple unicorns, startups whose valuations exceed $1 billion.

There is a wide variety of tech businesses here, from data analytics to fintech. One reason businesses come to the city is the opportunity they have to team up with the local universities on innovation and R&D projects.

Renting a flexible office in Nottingham will put your business in the middle of this thriving tech community.

3. Startup growth

Nottingham was ranked as the UK's second-best city to start a business, and it's easy to see why.

The city is home to several business incubators and accelerators like BioCity and MediCity. These provide support and resources for startups in the life sciences and healthcare sectors.

East Midlands Chamber works with all startups that need advice and support. Likewise, NBV provides training, grants, and more to new businesses. The council and universities also have programs to help get new companies up and running.

There is a wide selection of startup office space in Nottingham, including at Regus's two central locations.

4. Supportive environment

A key reason many businesses choose Nottingham is the range of advice and guidance it offers to startups. That high-quality guidance continues as companies grow and mature.

This nurturing environment has helped firms achieve an impressive 43.4% survival rate. That means nearly half of all businesses are still going strong after five years. That's much better than most other places in the UK.

The area attracts venture capital firms, with over £437 million across 326 deals invested in local firms over the last decade. If you have a great idea, Nottingham is a proven place to find people to back you.

The local universities’ partnerships with businesses are also key to innovation. This collaboration develops products faster and brings them to market quicker. These partnerships have been so successful they have experienced a 72.4% spin-out rate.

Get the support you need by becoming part of the local business community with serviced offices in Nottingham from Regus.

5. Highly skilled workforce

Over 60% of the city works in knowledge-intensive industries, much higher than the UK average.

The skills and experience of the local workforce help drive businesses forward. The city’s talent is vital to fintech, digital and creative, and business services firms. Employees here provide fast-growth bioscience and advanced manufacturing firms with a competitive edge.

Key to this edge is the city's educational institutions. Nottingham is home to the University of Nottingham and Nottingham Trent University (NTU).

Both institutions rank highly in independent scoring. The Times Higher Education has ranked Nottingham Trent University among the best UK universities. It has also recognised the Nottingham Business School, part of NTU, as one of the best business schools in the country.

With over 60,000 students in the city, employers can count on a healthy supply of future talent in the decades to come.

6. Nottingham culture

Many entrepreneurs come to Nottingham for the city’s excellent work-life balance.

The culturally rich city has a thriving food and drink scene. There is a wide choice of restaurants for every taste and budget.

Nottingham is a UNESCO City of Literature, so the local arts scene is exceptional. The city is home to fantastic theatres, galleries, museums, and music venues.

A stand-out example is the Nottingham Contemporary, one of the country's best contemporary art spaces. Nottingham also hosts many festivals and activities throughout the year.

Additionally, Sherwood Forest is just a short drive or bike ride away, as is the stunning Peak District National Park.

7. Travelling for business in Nottingham

Nottingham's central location and excellent transport links make getting here easy for business. The city is well connected to the rest of the East Midlands and the wider UK beyond.

The key roads serving the city are the M1, A1, and A42. They provide direct access to London, Leeds, and other major cities. A train journey down to London St Pancras International is only one hour and 40 minutes.

East Midlands Airport is just a short drive away, offering daily flights to domestic and European business hubs.

Travel around Nottingham is quick, thanks to the comprehensive bus network and a modern tram system.

How much are Nottingham office space rentals?

Office space rental in Nottingham costs from £179 per person per month. Coworking spaces in Nottingham cost from £169 per person per month.

Renting office space in Nottingham city centre can be very cost-effective compared to other major UK cities. For example, average rental prices in the popular Southwark area of London can start from £255 per person per month.

Nottingham’s lower costs can benefit you and your staff in other ways. Housing prices and renting are fairly affordable here. Additionally, childcare costs much less than in Bristol and Manchester. The price you pay in pubs and restaurants is also significantly lower.

Compared to London, average weekly wages are 19% cheaper in Nottingham.

Office space for rent in Nottingham

If you’re looking for an office to rent in Nottingham city centre, check out the two options Regus offers.

Lock House

Close to the city's ancient historic castle, Lock House is a stylish and state-of-the-art business centre.

Accessibility is a key feature of Lock House, as the train station is a six-minute walk away. It's also close to the tram network and on many major bus routes. There's on-site parking here, too, if you want to drive to work.

This attractive and thoroughly modern centre has a pleasing minimalist decor across two floors. There's a choice of private offices that can be configured to meet your needs. If you'd prefer to work closer to other entrepreneurs, check out the dedicated desks within our coworking areas.

Meet investors and clients by booking one of our conference rooms by the hour or the day. They're available too if you want to interview new members of staff. For a more informal atmosphere, use the many break-out areas.

Entertain clients or celebrate with investors and staff at the many nearby bars and restaurants. Walk along the peaceful canal route on a sunny day to take in the city and its history.

Highlights include

• On-site parking
• Meeting rooms
• Break-out areas

Information about Lock House

• Location: Lock House, Castle Meadow Road, Nottingham NG2 1AG
• Starting cost: From £195 per month
• Opening hours: 24/7 for Private Office and Dedicated Desk members, reception hours for other members
• Nearby transport links: Brewhouse Yard Museum (Stop LE43) Bus Stop (a four-minute walk away), Nottingham Station Tram Stop (a seven-minute walk away), and Nottingham Train Station (a seven-minute walk away)

City Gate East

Right in the heart of the city, you’ll find City Gate East. This sixth-floor business centre off Maid Marien roundabout affords great views of the city.

The centre is very accessible, close to the tram network, and on multiple bus routes. You can use the secure underground parking area if you arrive by car.

Inside, natural light floods the office. The design of the workspaces is modern and stylish. Break-out areas and meeting rooms are next to the private offices and dedicated desks in the coworking spaces.

This is a great space for interviewing, training, and networking. You can also find new business allies.

Take advantage of the on-site sandwich service if you're too busy to venture out into the city. Or simply refuel at one of the centre's vending machines.

After work, try visiting the city's many bars, shops, and restaurants after work. Catch the latest plays and musicals at the Playhouse and Theatre Royal. The work-life balance Nottingham offers is excellent.

Highlights include

• Secure underground parking
• Meeting rooms
• Sandwich service

Information about 1 Trafalgar Square

• Location: Tollhouse Hill, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire NG1 5FS
• Starting cost: From £179 per month
• Opening hours: 24/7 for Private Office and Dedicated Desk members, reception hours for other members
• Nearby transport links: Tollhouse Hill (Stop Y7) Bus Stop (a one-minute walk away) and Royal Centre Tram Stop (a four-minute walk away)

Explore Nottingham office spaces with Regus

Nottingham is a vibrant, cosmopolitan city with a booming economy that’s the largest in the East Midlands. Locate your business here in one of our state-of-the-art working spaces at our business centres in the heart of the city.

We work with businesses of all sizes. If you only need a small office space in Nottingham for now, let us know. When your business grows, we can configure the centre to adapt to your needs, meaning you won’t have to move.

As a Regus client, you can use our serviced office space, meeting rooms, and coworking spaces at any of our 4,000 worldwide locations. Check availability at any time with the Regus app as well as purchase a Day Pass. If you’re often on the road for business, become a Regus member to benefit from further discounts.

Speak to one of our teams about renting flexible office space in Nottingham and get in touch today.