Doncaster named among the most affordable UK cities for renting office space

According to analysis by money.co.uk of almost 4,000 commercial property listings across 18 major UK cities outside London, office space in Doncaster costs £14.08 per sq ft a year. By comparison, renters in Bristol, the most expensive city, pay £30.73 per sq ft a year.

The findings highlight Doncaster's competitive position, revealing office rentals are 30% lower than in Leeds, and 13% lower than in Sheffield.

Doncaster's average asking rent also sits nearly three times lower than the UK-wide average of £32.32 per sq ft a year, meaning lower office rents could help businesses keep fixed overheads down or make expansion more affordable than in neighbouring cities.

The research also found that nationally, small office rents average £52.55 per square foot per year, more than three times the £16.60 average of larger offices (10001+sqft sq ft).

However, the lowest per-square-foot cost comes with a significantly higher budget, with small businesses looking to upsize facing a 116% increase in annual rent.

Joe Phelan, money.co.uk business loans expert, says: “Rent prices for office premises vary widely between cities. In cities like Doncaster, where office rent may not be as high, many businesses are still facing soaring operating costs and rising overheads, so for business owners deciding to expand or open a new office, choosing the right location is important.

“Considering the full cost of expansion, including rent, fit-out and the working capital needed to cover day-to-day costs as they grow, choosing the right space can help keep fixed overheads down and protect cash flow. External finance, including business loans, can help fund some of that investment, but any borrowing needs to be affordable alongside the business’s existing commitments.”