Office take-up looks set to reach some heady highs in Bracknell this year, as momentum finally returns to the office market in the Berkshire town. Wedged between the M3 and M4, Bracknell is coming into a league of its own, according to office agent and Vail Wiliams Associate, Andrew Baillie.
To date this year, total take-up for the town, which has historically sat in the shadow of Reading in office terms, has exceeded 112,321 sq ft of – a large proportion of which has been for fully fitted Grade A space
Against the backdrop of around 100,000 sq ft of deals in Reading this year to date and having acted on over 50% of the office deals in Bracknell this year, we explore what the lure is of this Greater London town and why are we seeing so much activity all of a sudden.
Scholl, Nielsen Media Research, Tempestas Capital, Chartered Institute of Builders, Allium UK, Basis Technology, Curve Workplaces, Brickability, Evelyn Partners. These are just a few of the names of businesses doing office deals in Bracknell this year.
But why are these businesses committing to offices in Bracknell and not elsewhere?
Return to the office
Of course, the return to the office has a role to play, with 72% of companies globally mandating a return to the office, three or four days a week.
With this has come a complete re-think about what businesses need from their office space and where their base is best located.
A more footloose approach by occupiers has led many to take new leases in different geographical locations or in buildings offering a better standard and quality of space, with a blend of amenities and break out spaces.