Gulf high-net-worth investors plan to commit an average of £78.3m each to UK property over the next five years, according to fresh research from AlRayan Bank.
The fourth annual GCC Investment Barometer surveyed 150 investors across Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE, each holding at least £10m in wealth or assets. Those with £500m or more said they planned to commit an average of £147.3m.
London remains the leading UK location in forward plans, considered by 54% of respondents planning new or increased investment. Beyond the capital, Liverpool leads the regions at 34%, followed by Birmingham at 27%, Manchester at 25%, Bristol at 22% and Cardiff at 18%. The report notes its question wording changed since 2025, so year-on-year movements are directional rather than exactly like-for-like.
London appeal fades as regions gain ground
London still led recent activity, with one in three respondents having invested in the capital in the past year, ahead of Singapore at 24% and Paris and New York at 23% each. But the forward pipeline points to a clear rotation toward regional markets where yields run higher and entry prices sit lower.
The picture is not one-sided. More than a third of those surveyed (38%) said Middle East instability is encouraging them to diversify away from the UK, and 32% are delaying UK investment. Against that, 31% report increasing their UK allocation and 30% are accelerating planned deals.
Maisam Fazal, chief commercial officer at AlRayan Bank UK, said: “GCC investors have more choice than ever over where they put their capital, so the continued strength of commitment to the UK is a significant indicator of confidence. Investors see long-term value in the depth of the market, its professional infrastructure and the range of opportunities available.”
He added: “However, that position cannot be taken for granted. Investors are increasingly focused on the fundamentals of individual opportunities, and the UK needs to remain commercially attractive if it is to keep converting confidence into investment.”
This follows Residential Landlord’s analysis of buy-to-let hotspots, which put Liverpool top with 8.1% price growth. The AlRayan findings suggest international capital is reading the same regional story, with Liverpool named by more Gulf investors than any other UK city.
What Gulf money means for private landlords
Sustained Gulf buying in Liverpool, Birmingham and Manchester would add demand at the upper end of those markets, supporting prices but also sharpening competition for stock. Domestic landlords hunting in the same cities may find bidding tighter on larger lots and development-grade assets.
Relocation demand could spill into the rental market too. The share of investors considering a move to the UK, or wanting to keep the option open, rose from 45% last year to 58%, and 89% said stronger opportunities at home are increasing their appetite for UK investment. Wealthy arrivals tend to rent first, which can lift prime rents in target cities.
Manchester landlords already face EPC pressure ahead of proposed 2030 standards, so anyone buying alongside incoming capital should price compliance costs into bids. For background on the lender behind the research, see AlRayan Bank.
Opinion
The regional tilt in Gulf money is a vote of confidence in northern yields, but it also signals that London pricing has stretched beyond what even well-funded buyers will chase. Landlords in Liverpool, Birmingham and Manchester should welcome the demand while keeping a close eye on purchase prices. When global capital moves in, local buyers who overpay are the first to feel it.
