Gatwick is widely recognised for its international airport, but the area’s importance extends far beyond aviation. Gatwick, Crawley and Manor Royal together form one of the South East’s most significant commercial and employment hubs, attracting businesses across logistics, aviation, technology, manufacturing and many other sectors.
For businesses considering their next property move (and investors and landlords looking for opportunities) Gatwick offers a combination of both international connectivity and motorway access. Its established commercial infrastructure and substantial local workforce strengthen this location even more.
A Major Economic Hub
London Gatwick plays an important role in both the regional and national economy.
Research commissioned by London Gatwick found that the airport generated approximately £5.5 billion in UK economic activity and supported more than 76,000 jobs in 2023. The impact is particularly significant closer to the airport. Across the Gatwick Diamond, Gatwick supported approximately 35,725 jobs and £2.6 billion in Gross Value Added (GVA).
This economic activity supports a much wider commercial ecosystem around the airport, creating demand for offices, industrial units, warehouses, logistics facilities, hotels, storage and other specialist commercial property.
Manor Royal: A Commercial Centre on Gatwick’s Doorstep
One of Gatwick’s greatest strengths as a commercial property location is Manor Royal Business District. Located immediately adjacent to the airport, Manor Royal extends across approximately 540 acres and contains around 9 million sq ft of commercial space.
Today it is home to more than 600 businesses supporting over 30,000 jobs, making it one of the largest and most important business districts in the South East.
The variety of businesses operating here is particularly notable.
Major occupiers include Thales, Boeing, L3Harris, CAE, Rackspace, Welland Medical and Nestlé, while the area’s logistics and distribution occupiers include Amazon, DPD, Royal Mail, UPS, Yodel, Ocado and Tesco.
This mix demonstrates why Gatwick isn’t dependent on a single industry. Aviation remains enormously important, but the surrounding commercial market also supports technology, engineering, manufacturing, biomedical, logistics, distribution and professional service businesses.
A Strategic Location for Logistics
Gatwick and Crawley are particularly well positioned for businesses involved in logistics and distribution.
The area provides access to the M23 and M25, connecting businesses with London and the wider South East, while Gatwick Airport provides international connectivity immediately on the doorstep.
The scale of the potential customer base is significant. Research associated with Panattoni Park Crawley at Manor Royal identified almost 1.75 million consumers within a 45-minute van journey and 7.3 million people within 1.5 hours by HGV.
For logistics, e-commerce and last-mile distribution operators, that combination of population reach and transport infrastructure makes the Gatwick area particularly attractive.
More Than Industrial and Logistics Property
While Gatwick and Manor Royal have a strong industrial and logistics market, the area’s commercial property offer is much broader. Businesses can choose from conventional offices, serviced and managed workspaces, industrial units, warehouses, distribution facilities, open storage, commercial yards and development opportunities.
Crawley and Three Bridges also provide strong rail connections, giving office occupiers access to employees travelling from London, Brighton and communities throughout Sussex and Surrey.
The result is a commercial property market capable of accommodating everything from a growing local company looking for its first dedicated premises to international organisations requiring substantial headquarters, logistics or operational facilities.
Why Businesses Choose Gatwick
For many occupiers, the attraction of Gatwick is the combination of several factors rather than one single advantage.
Businesses can benefit from proximity to an international airport, established commercial infrastructure, access to the M23 and M25, strong rail links and a large existing business community.
Being surrounded by hundreds of other organisations also creates opportunities for businesses to access suppliers, customers, professional services and skilled employees locally.
For aviation and airport-related companies, there is the additional advantage of being located immediately alongside one of the UK’s principal international gateways.
What Does This Mean for Commercial Property?
The scale and diversity of the Gatwick economy creates demand across multiple commercial property sectors.
Industrial and logistics operators require modern warehouses and distribution facilities; aviation and engineering businesses require specialist premises; growing companies need offices; and transport-related businesses can create demand for yards, vehicle storage and open storage sites.
For landlords and investors, understanding these different sources of occupational demand is important when considering acquisitions, refurbishment, redevelopment or repositioning opportunities.
For occupiers, the challenge can be identifying the right location and property within a large and varied market.
Finding Commercial Property in Gatwick
TGE Property provides commercial property advice across Gatwick, Crawley, Manor Royal and the wider M23 corridor.
From offices, warehouses and industrial units to commercial land, open storage and investment opportunities, we help businesses, landlords, developers and investors navigate the local commercial property market.
Our local office at Astral Towers in Crawley places us close to both Gatwick Airport and Manor Royal, while our wider network allows us to identify opportunities both on and off market.
Looking for commercial property in Gatwick?
Speak to TGE Property about your requirements and discover how our commercial property consultants can help you find your next property or maximise the potential of an existing asset.