While there are variations in the market performance in different parts of the region,
the improvement has spread and encompassed more towns. Apart from the sentiment,
there are hard facts of higher take up and increases in rents, notably a record at the
Blade in Reading. There is also the flow of investment money, such as the sale of Green Park. Indeed, Reading surprised many in the market with a 21% rise in lettings in 2011
to add to the record rent. Moreover, the outlook for this year, said Stephen Head,
is just as favourable.
Reading is important in setting the tone for the whole of the
Thames Valley. In contrast,
Bracknell has had a hard time but the attractive rents could swing that around quickly.
Maidenhead is putting its money on the impact of the Crossrail link while West London is doing particularly well. Property professionals such as Will foster and Guy Grantham like what they see in the market. There are a host of figures to support
that view, such as declining vacancy rates and a shortage of Grade A stock. In some cases new development has picked up.