The Knight Frank Guide to Cardiff for Businesses

As the capital of Wales and one of the UK’s fastest-growing cities, Cardiff is a thriving business hub with a strong economy, excellent transport links, and a vibrant cultural scene. Combining historic charm with cutting-edge innovation, Cardiff is an attractive destination for companies looking to establish themselves in a dynamic and well-connected city.

Cardiff’s economy has experienced significant growth over the past two decades, consistently outperforming many other regional cities. It has established itself as a leading centre for financial services, fintech, creative industries, and life sciences.

The city has seen substantial investment in major regeneration projects, such as the Central Square development and the transformation of Cardiff Bay, which have attracted businesses and created thousands of new jobs. With a skilled workforce, modern office spaces, and a thriving start-up ecosystem, Cardiff continues to be a prime location for business expansion and investment.

Getting there

Cardiff’s strong transport links make it a highly accessible city for businesses operating across the UK. Cardiff Central Station provides:

• Direct train services to London Paddington in under two hours via Great Western Railway
• Trains to Swansea in just under an hour, as well as other regional stations
• Frequent connections to Bristol, Birmingham, and Manchester, ensuring excellent regional business links

For international travel, Cardiff Airport offers direct flights to key European business destinations, while Bristol Airport, just an hour away, provides further global connectivity. The M4 motorway runs through Cardiff, offering easy road access to London, the South West, and the Midlands.

Within the city, a comprehensive bus network and growing cycle lanes provide easy commuting, while the South Wales Metro project, currently in development, is enhancing public transport connections with more frequent, fast services, and that link to the city’s waterfront.

Meet the Neighbours

Cardiff offers a range of commercial districts catering to various industries, from corporate headquarters to creative start-ups:

• Cardiff Central Business District: The city’s corporate heart, home to financial services, legal firms, and major businesses in modern office developments such as Central Square, Callaghan Square and Capital Quarter
• Cardiff Bay: A rapidly expanding area with stunning waterfront office spaces, attracting creative industries, media companies, and tech start-ups
• Pontcanna & Cathedral Road: Known for its charming period buildings and thriving independent business community, ideal for boutique firms and consultancy practices

On your doorstep

Cardiff boasts a lively food and drink scene, with everything from fine dining to casual eateries perfect for business meetings and client entertainment.

For top-end dining, Heaney’s, run by a MasterChef finalist, offers contemporary British cuisine, while The Potted Pig is a well-regarded choice for modern Welsh dishes served in a former bank vault.

Casual dining options include Fat Hippo for gourmet burgers, Milkwood for seasonal Welsh dishes, and The Cardiff Stable, a favourite for artisan pizzas. For coffee meetings, Little Man Coffee Co and Uncommon Ground offer stylish, relaxed spaces in the city centre.

For post-work drinks, Cardiff has plenty of options, from historic pubs like The City Arms to speakeasy-style cocktail bars such as Lab 22 and The Dead Canary. Craft beer lovers will enjoy Tiny Rebel Cardiff, the city’s much-loved independent brewery.

Retail in Cardiff is centred around St David’s Shopping Centre, home to high-end brands and designer stores. The city also boasts historic shopping arcades such as The Royal Arcade and Morgan Arcade, where independent boutiques and specialist stores thrive.

Places of interest

Cardiff’s rich history, vibrant culture, and green spaces make it an inspiring location for businesses and professionals.

At the heart of the city, Cardiff Castle is a stunning landmark with a history dating back nearly 2,000 years. Just a short walk away, Bute Park, a vast green space running alongside the River Taff, provides the perfect setting for lunchtime walks and outdoor meetings. Cardiff Bay, with its striking waterfront, is home to the Wales Millennium Centre, a world-class arts venue, and the Senedd, the seat of the Welsh government. Equally, Taff’s Trail provides walkers and cyclists a scenic route out of the city.

For those interested in sports and entertainment, the Principality Stadium hosts major sporting events and concerts – including a Champions League final – making it a key feature of Cardiff’s cityscape. Meanwhile, the lively districts of Pontcanna and Roath offer independent galleries, coffee shops, and cultural spaces that highlight the city’s creative energy.

Find your base in Cardiff

At Knight Frank, we know how important it is that you find office space that’s within budget and is conveniently located but that also makes you and your team happy. With our expertise and extensive knowledge of the Cardiff office space and commercial rental market, we’re perfectly placed to empower your search.

Take a look at our offices to rent in Cardiff or get in touch for help finding the perfect office space for your business.