Demand for office space in the UK regional office markets has remained strong at the outset of 2016 despite uncertainties surrounding a potential Brexit. A total of 1,381,350 sq. ft. of office space was taken in the ‘Big 6’ regional cities in Q1, marginally below the final quarter performance of 2015 but 27% higher than the five quarterly average.
The leading cities in terms of year-to-date take-up are Birmingham, Edinburgh and Glasgow, with total volumes of around the 285,000 sq. ft. mark in each of these three cities. All of these markets have substantially outperformed their 5 year quarterly average and have each supported a strong level of pre-letting activity. In the case of Glasgow, the Q1 volume is twice the quarterly average. The strong start in this market is the result of Morgan Stanley signing a large pre-let for 154,814 sq. ft. at the first phase of Bothwell Exchange.
Bristol, with a first quarter take-up total of 195,502 sq. ft. acquired for occupation, has also outperformed its quarterly average (by 42%), albeit at a lower volume than the leading three. Take-up volumes were bolstered in this market by EDF Energy’s acquisition of 81,202 sq. ft. of Grade A office floor space at Bridgewater House, Finzels Reach, in preparation for the forthcoming development of Hinckley Point C power station.
Emma Jackson, Associate Director in CBRE Research commented: “We have seen a strong level of occupier activity in the ‘Big 6’ regional office markets in the first quarter of 2016. Indeed, the strength of activity in Birmingham has led to an increase in prime rental levels to £32.00 per sq. ft. Given these volumes and the positive amount of pre-let activity we have seen, occupier appetite is clearly resilient. Any effects surrounding the uncertainty of a potential Brexit have yet to materialise.”