Boom town Luton is set to enjoy even further success in the next decade thanks to a combination of property development, thousands of new jobs and major investment in infrastructure, according to commercial property agency Kirkby Diamond.
Partner and head of commercial agency, Eamon Kennedy, said the increasing appeal of the Bedfordshire town in recent years shows no sign of slowing, with major developments in the pipeline which will attract more investment away from London.
He was speaking as Kirkby Diamond celebrated the 20th anniversary of its arrival in Luton. The company also has offices in Milton Keynes and Bedford.
Eamon said: “There’s no doubt that these are exciting times for Luton. The town is better connected than ever. The new junction 11A of the M1 has made the town so much more accessible and we have many companies asking us to help them relocate to the region.
“Luton has eight major strategic development sites offering retail, leisure, hotels and housing opportunities and large sites for engineering, technology, creative and aviation-linked employment. The town is also embarking on an ambitious £1.5 billion inward investment programme.
“The commercial property sector continues to see limited office stock available in Luton town centre, with rental values remaining high but providing significant value compared with locations further south along the M1.”
From its Luton base Kirkby Diamond has won a host of awards, gaining a strong reputation within the property sector and expanding its reach throughout the region.
It demonstrated its continued commitment to Luton last year when it relocated to a new, bigger office in the town from its Union Street base where it had been for 15 years. The company’s 10 Luton-based staff now operate from a refurbished offices in Victory House, Chobham Street, which will facilitate the agency’s future growth.
Eamon added: “We set up the office in Luton as we believed the town and its surrounding area would provide the perfect place from where we could achieve our expansion. We are delighted this forecast has come to fruition.
“We were able to take advantage of Luton’s increasing appeal when we moved here, and we are still doing so today. It continues to grow and is fast becoming one of the UK’s go-to business destinations thanks to massive investment in its infrastructure, and its appeal to workers and businesses that wish to operate outside London.
“It has had its detractors in the past, but Luton is experiencing something of a boom. We are continuing to enhance our reputation and strengthen our position in the market alongside Luton’s growth, which will stand us in good stead. We have been part of some major projects over the years, which has seen the agency go from strength to strength.
“Luton’s appeal is showing no signs of slowing, so the next 20 years look very bright indeed for Kirkby Diamond.”
In the last three years alone the agency has broken its record for completed industry deals, now standing at 81 in a single year, its Luton office is securing bigger deals than ever before and its transactions in Milton Keynes have quadrupled.
To mark Kirkby Diamond’s 20th anniversary in Luton, it held a celebration for invited businesses and clients.
Local businesses and clients joined Kirkby Diamond staff at The Bear Club on Guildford Street.
Jean Howe, partner and the firm’s resident “Bear”, said: “To celebrate the event, we wanted to do something not seen in Luton before. I visit the venue is regularly and as a member feel few local businesses know about it. The opportunity to do something different for our 20th anniversary was a must for us.”
