Exploring Derby's Property Market
Located in the heart of the East Midlands, Derby is a city with a rich industrial heritage and a thriving modern economy. Known as the UK’s hub for advanced manufacturing and home to global giants like Rolls-Royce, Bombardier, and Toyota, Derby is a key player in the country’s economic growth.
For investors seeking promising opportunities in the UK property market, Derby stands out as an emerging hotspot. The city has experienced significant regeneration, driving demand for high-quality rental properties and offering strong potential for capital growth.
With a growing population, a resilient economy, and sustained rental demand, Derby’s property market presents an exciting investment opportunity. Boasting affordability, excellent transport links, and a bright future, Derby is a city that should be on every investor’s radar.
Derby Statistics
To Consider
Location
Derby
Employment
40%
Population
269,587
Tourism
£426 Million
BUT WHY CHOOSE
Derby?
9.1%
Rent GROWTH
From 2023 to 2024
5.3%
Population growth
Between 2011 and 2021
13.9%
Price GROWTH
Projected Between 2023 and 2028
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Life in Derby
REASONS TO MAKE THE MOVE
Derby is a modern, forward-looking city at the heart of the East Midlands — combining rich industrial heritage with a rapidly growing economy driven by innovation and advanced manufacturing. Home to global names like Rolls-Royce, Toyota, and Alstom, Derby boasts one of the highest concentrations of engineering expertise in the UK.
Investing in Derby
Investing in Derby presents a strong opportunity for property investors, supported by consistent growth, major regeneration, and one of the most dynamic local economies in the Midlands.
Derby occupies a strategic central location in England, offering fast rail connections to London, Birmingham, and Manchester, and easy access to East Midlands Airport. This connectivity makes it a hub for commuters, logistics, and businesses seeking a cost-effective alternative to larger UK cities.
The city is home to global engineering giants such as Rolls-Royce, Toyota, and Alstom, making Derby a national centre for advanced manufacturing and aerospace. This industrial strength underpins a resilient job market, driving stable rental demand and long-term economic confidence.
Derby also offers a high quality of life — with an affordable property market, strong schools and universities, and close proximity to the Peak District National Park, one of the UK’s most visited natural destinations. These qualities attract both families and young professionals, supporting strong occupancy and rental yields.
Ongoing city centre redevelopment, including the £200 million Becketwell regeneration and the transformation of the riverside area, continues to boost Derby’s appeal for residents, businesses, and investors alike. These initiatives are reshaping the city’s skyline and creating sustained capital growth potential across residential and commercial property sectors.
Forecast for Growth
The overall economic forecast for the UK can provide some insights into the potential growth in Kent. According to the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) Economic Forecast, the economy is projected to experience some challenges. Still, there’s an expectation of stronger average earnings growth in the coming years. This positive outlook for earnings growth can potentially contribute to increased purchasing power and economic activity in Kent.
- Excellent Transport Links: Currently, Kent is only 24 minutes from London. This minimal travel time makes Ashford increasingly attractive to London commuters seeking lower housing costs, driving up property values.
- Government Backing: Ashford benefits from government funding to support housing and infrastructure development. This significant investment in new homes, community facilities and transportation will significantly boost Ashford’s appeal and economic potential.
- Lower Cost of Living: Ashford offers an affordable cost of living and lower house prices than comparable towns in the Southeast. For investors, this means strong rental demand and yields an opportunity for price growth as the town’s popularity increases.
A Window of Opportunity
Kent displays many attributes that make it ideal for investment, including fast-improving infrastructure, proximity to London, the largest economic centre in East Kent, high rental demand, potential for solid returns, and room for substantial house price growth.
Kent offers international investors a chance to get into an up-and-coming area before prices rise substantially. House prices in Kent have steadily increased over the past decade but remain lower than in other parts of the South East, indicating room for significant growth. For investors willing to play the long-term game, buying property in Kent is an excellent opportunity to achieve significant gains over the next 5–10 years.
Rental demand in Kent is high, driven by its position within London’s commuter belt. The county has experienced a jobs boom, with major employers like Pfizer, BAE Systems and Discovery Channel establishing bases there. Improved rail links have made the county even more accessible, with journey times to London under an hour from many parts of Kent.
Kent appears primed to outperform other areas of the UK for years to come. For investors seeking capital growth, the window of opportunity is open. Contact your advisor for more details.
DERBY’S
BIGGEST PROJECTS
Dive into the beauty of DERBY
HOME TO BRANDS you love
Such as Rolls-Royce, Toyota & Alstom
Powering innovation and providing over 25,000 skilled jobs
LIVE IN THE MOMENT
Featuring the £200M Becketwell Regeneration
Delivering new homes, offices & a major performance venue
£500M
WORTH OF DEVELOPMENT
Including Infinity Park & Riverside Masterplan
Adding over £500M in investment to Derby’s economy
CONNECTIVITY & TRANSPORT
With excellent road links and 5 international & freight airports available within 1 hour of Derbyshire, Derby is truly a connected city…and we haven’t even mentioned the train links yet!
HS2 the new high speed rail line connecting London to the North East of the UK will run directly through the city of Derby.
1 hr 32 mins
LONDON
35 mins
BIRMINGHAM
2 hrs 15 mins
MANCHESTER
5 hrs 5 mins
EDINBURGH
Property Price Growth in Kent's Key Areas
Investing in Ashford, Kent property has become increasingly attractive to many investors, due to the notable price growth observed in the area’s real estate market over the past decade. This growth is particularly evident in key property hotspots and developing neighborhoods, presenting a compelling opportunity for those looking to invest.
Here’s an overview of some areas in Kent with potential property price growth:
Ashford
Ashford is one of the fastest-growing towns in Kent, with primary transport links, including the high-speed rail line to London St Pancras in about half an hour. New housing developments—like Victoria Point—and commercial projects are driving demand, with average property prices increasing by about 80% in the last decade.
Maidstone
Maidstone is the county town of Kent and a leading business hub, with a robust local economy based around retail, healthcare and education. Located in the heart of the “Garden of England,” the picturesque countryside attracts both residents and visitors. House prices have risen by about 100% in the past two decades, and we expect further growth due to limited supply and increasing demand.
Sevenoaks
The affluent commuter town of Sevenoaks offers an excellent quality of life within easy reach of London. Strong transport links, top schools, and proximity to picturesque countryside and villages continue to draw high-earning professionals. Property values have significantly outperformed national averages over the long term, rising by over 70% in the past 20 years. Sevenoaks presents an opportunity for investors to benefit from sustained high demand and limited housing stock.
Others
Other areas demonstrating strong fundamentals for price growth include Tunbridge Wells, with its highly skilled workforce, and Whitstable, an increasingly popular coastal town undergoing regeneration.
BEST PROPERTY TYPE FOR INVESTMENT IN KENT (ASHFORD)
OFF PLAN PROPERTY
Off-plan developments in Derby are in high demand as regeneration projects reshape the city centre and surrounding areas.
With major schemes like Becketwell Regeneration introducing modern apartments, retail, and leisure spaces, early investors can benefit from competitive entry prices and strong capital growth potential.
These properties are particularly attractive to young professionals and students drawn by Derby’s growing employment base and connectivity, making them ideal for both rental and resale opportunities.
BUY TO LET APARTMENTS
Derby’s thriving job market and affordable housing make it a top choice for buy-to-let investors seeking stable long-term returns.
Neighbourhoods close to major employers such as Rolls-Royce, Toyota, and Alstom, as well as the University of Derby, attract steady tenant demand year-round.
With rental yields outperforming many other UK cities and continued inward investment, Derby offers a balanced mix of income stability and capital appreciation for landlords looking to grow their portfolio.
KENT (ASHFORD)
LIVERPOOL
MANCHESTER
Words from our clients
devere acuma
“I have known Lewis Finn for many years now, and he’s been a huge part of the reason why SVN Capital has aligned so closely with API Global. The addition of James Harper has added further value to both our clients and to the team, whilst the sheer depth and diversity of their property portfolio provides us with top-quality investment solutions for our clients around the world. It’s very comforting to know that a great deal of due diligence has been done before bring a project online and, having seen many of the finished properties in the flesh, I can say that our confidence in API Global is well placed. We look forward to expanding our working relation further into the second half of 2023 and beyond.”
devere acuma
"I have been working with API Global for 5 years to help my clients invest in UK property. In that time, I have been consistently impressed with their professionalism, expertise, and customer service. API Global has a deep understanding of the UK property market and a proven track record of success.They have helped me to find high-quality investment opportunities that have met the needs of my clients. Here are some of the specific things that I appreciated about API Global’s services: Their expertise: API Global has a team of experienced professionals who have a deep understanding of the UK property market. They were able to provide me with sound advice and guidance throughout the entire investment process. Their transparency: API Global was very transparent about the fees and costs involved in investing in UK property. There were no hidden surprises, which I really appreciated. Their customer service: API Global’s customer service was excellent. They were always available to answer my questions and address my concerns. I felt like I was working with a partner who was committed to my success."
devere acuma
"We worked with this company during the process of purchasing a property. Judy, from API, has been extremely helpful throughout the complex property purchase process. With her patience and positive approach, she continuously supported us. When making an investment from afar, there are naturally many uncertainties, and her support made a real difference. We are truly grateful."
devere acuma
"As a first-time buyer, I was naturally a bit anxious, but Judy and Daniel made the entire process incredibly smooth and stress-free. She guided me through every step with patience, clarity, and genuine care. They were always available to answer questions and offer support, it never felt overwhelming. I’m extremely grateful for their help and couldn’t have asked for a better person to walk me through my first property purchase. Highly recommend!"
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is it a good time to invest in Derby, UK?
Yes, now is an excellent time to invest in Derby. The city’s property market is experiencing strong growth driven by major regeneration projects such as Becketwell, Infinity Park, and the Derby Riverside Masterplan. Rental demand continues to rise as professionals move to the area for work with leading employers like Rolls-Royce, Toyota, and Alstom. Derby’s central location, strong employment rate, and affordable property prices make it a prime location for both capital growth and rental yields. As regeneration continues, the city’s appeal and property values are expected to strengthen further.
Is investing in Derby property worth it?
Absolutely. Derby offers a combination of affordability, stability, and growth potential that’s rare in the current UK property market. Investors can expect strong rental yields — supported by consistent tenant demand — and long-term appreciation as major infrastructure and business investments take shape across the city.
Is Derby a good place to invest?
Yes. Derby is one of the UK’s most connected and economically resilient cities. It has a skilled workforce, a growing population, and one of the highest GVA outputs per worker outside London. The city’s thriving manufacturing and tech sectors ensure steady employment, making Derby a reliable choice for long-term property investment.
What is the best type of property to invest in Derby?
The most popular investment options in Derby are off-plan apartments and buy-to-let properties. New developments near the city centre, such as Becketwell, attract professionals seeking modern living, while established residential areas close to major employers and universities are ideal for long-term rentals.