The Knight Frank Guide to Nottingham for Businesses

A city of innovation, heritage, and entrepreneurial spirit, Nottingham has long been a hub for commerce and industry. With its growing business ecosystem, strong transport connections, and vibrant cultural scene, Nottingham is one of the UK’s most exciting locations for companies looking to establish themselves in a thriving regional centre.

Nottingham is a city with a local economy on the up. An ambitious programme of growth by Nottingham City Council, has been designed to ensure regional investment over the next decade. The Nottingham Economic Growth Plan, for example, is set to encourage 12,000 new jobs across the city, and generate £500m of additional GVA by 2030.

Home to a diverse mix of sectors, including life sciences, fintech, creative industries, and advanced manufacturing, Nottingham offers businesses access to a skilled workforce, world-class research institutions, and modern office spaces. Its affordability and excellent quality of life make it an attractive alternative to larger UK cities.

Getting there

Nottingham’s central location in the UK provides outstanding connectivity to key business hubs. Nottingham Station offers:

● Direct train services to London St Pancras in just 90 minutes via East Midlands Railway

● Frequent connections to Birmingham, Manchester, Sheffield, and Leeds, ensuring strong regional business links

For international travel, East Midlands Airport is just a 25-minute drive away, offering flights to major European destinations. Nottingham is well-connected by road, with the M1 motorway providing direct access to London, the Midlands, and the North.

The city’s tram network – one of the most efficient in the UK – ensures easy commuting across Nottingham, while an extensive bus network and dedicated cycle lanes offer sustainable travel options.

Meet the Neighbours

Nottingham’s commercial districts offer a variety of spaces for businesses of all sizes.

● Nottingham Science Park: A key hub for tech, life sciences, and digital innovation, home to leading research-driven companies

● Creative Quarter (Lace Market & Hockley): A vibrant district attracting media, design, and creative industries, featuring stylish co-working spaces and independent businesses

● City Centre Business District: Home to fi nancial services, legal fi rms, and corporate headquarters, with high-quality office spaces near Nottingham’s key transport links

● Boots Enterprise Zone: Part of the UK’s Life Sciences Opportunity Zone, this area is a growing hub for pharmaceutical and healthcare innovation

On your doorstep

Nottingham’s food and drink scene offers everything from Michelin-starred dining to relaxed independent cafés, making it ideal for business lunches, client meetings, and after-work drinks.

For fine dining, Restaurant Sat Bains, the city’s Michelin-starred culinary destination, offers an exceptional experience. Alchemilla provides inventive plant-based cuisine, while La Rock offers English cuisine mixed with global flavours within a refined setting.

For casual dining, Bar Iberico is a local favourite for Spanish tapas, Slice 'n' Brew serves some of the best pizza in the city, and Yamas offers authentic Greek mezze in a relaxed atmosphere.

After work, Nottingham boasts a thriving bar scene, with quirky cocktail spots like 400 Rabbits, craft beer specialists such as Brew Cavern, and historic pubs including Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem – reputedly England’s oldest inn.

Retail in Nottingham is centred around The Victoria Centre, offering a mix of high-street and designer brands. Bridlesmith Gate and the Flying Horse Walk Arcade are home to boutique stores and independent retailers, while the Sneinton Market Avenues provide a creative setting for artisan shopping.

Places of interest

Nottingham’s rich history and green spaces provide an ideal backdrop for busy professionals looking to escape the office.

The city’s legendary association with Robin Hood is reflected in landmarks such as Nottingham Castle, which recently underwent a multi-million-pound renovation. The Lace Market showcases the city’s industrial heritage with its beautifully restored red-brick warehouses.

For a breath of fresh air, The Arboretum, a stunning Victorian park, provides a peaceful retreat, while Wollaton Hall & Park – a grand Elizabethan mansion – offers scenic walking trails and wildlife. Business professionals looking for cultural inspiration can visit the Nottingham Contemporary, one of the UK’s leading modern art galleries, or take in a performance at the Theatre Royal & Royal Concert Hall.

Find your base in Nottingham

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 Nottingham office space and commercial rental market, we’re perfectly placed to empower your search.

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