Shops to Let in Cardiff

Business character

Financial services and government set the tone. Admiral Group is the standout private employer, a FTSE 100 insurer headquartered in the city centre, and it sits within a wider cluster that includes Legal & General, Principality Building Society, Confused.com and Zurich, plus the newer digital banks: Starling Bank expanded at Brunel House and Aldermore took 28,000 sq ft at Two Central Square in 2024. Professional firms follow the money, with PwC at One Central Square, Hugh James at Two Central Square and Blake Morgan and Julian Hodge Bank at One Central Square. The public sector is enormous for a city of this size: the Welsh Government at Cathays Park, the Senedd in Cardiff Bay, HMRC's regional hub at Six Central Square, Cardiff Council and NHS Wales, with the University Hospital of Wales at the Heath one of the largest hospitals in the UK. BBC Cymru Wales, S4C and ITV Wales anchor a media and creative sector that spreads into the Bay, and Cardiff University is one of the city's largest employers. Retail accounts for about a fifth of the city's jobs, concentrated on Queen Street, St Mary Street and the arcades. Manufacturing and distribution sit to the east and south around Wentloog, Tremorfa, East Moors and the docks, where National Grid and Shred-It are among the occupiers on Capital Business Park. Other significant employers include Lloyds Banking Group (1 John Street), Cardiff and Vale University Health Board and Associated British Ports (Port of Cardiff).

Transport & connectivity

• Motorway: M4 (Junction M4 J32, 4 miles)
• Nearest rail: Cardiff Central (108 min to London)
• Airport: Cardiff (12 miles)
• Key A-roads: A48, A470, A4232 (Peripheral Distributor Road), A4161, A4119, A4160

Market context

Cardiff is cheaper than Bristol for offices but closing the gap at the top end. Prime rents rose to £28 per sq ft in 2024 and £30 was achieved at One Central Square and Hodge House in 2025, with agent research forecasting £35 per sq ft for the best space in 2026 or 2027; average asking rents across the wider market were around £18.50 per sq ft in 2024. Out-of-town parks at Cardiff Gate and St Mellons let for considerably less. Most of the choice is in small and mid-sized suites. Industrial space is tighter than the office market. Quoting rents in 2026 run from about £3 to £4.50 per sq ft on older estates such as Curran, through £7 to £9 for standard units on Penarth Road and Newport Road, to £12 to £13.50 for new trade counter and small hybrid units. Retail is dominated by St David's, a 1.5 million sq ft centre with 28 million visitors a year, which pulls the prime pitch towards The Hayes and the southern end of Queen Street, and the suburban high streets of Whitchurch, Roath, Canton and Penarth Road are where most independents find space.