Hicks Baker: Demand emerging for small offices in Thames Valley

Good things come in small packages. Or so it seems in the sub 5,000 sq ft local market as Hicks Baker announces four recent lettings of office space in Reading, Caversham and Slough, adding to the 2,700 sq ft pre-let in Henley to a plc company reported last month.

Project management experts MICIM have relocated into 1,900 sq ft at 55 St Mary Butts in Reading which is an expansion of their operations and a local move from their previous offices in Friar Street.

Also in the town centre, nearby at Bowman House on Bridge Street, a ground floor suite of 1,765 sq ft has been let to Cutpark. This will be home to a new barbershop concept which is taking advantage of recent change to the planning use classes and the creation of the wider ‘class E’ business use categorisation.

Over the river, a small ground floor office at Church House on Prospect Street in Caversham has been let to Delectable.

Finally, in Slough, the first floor of Beechwood House (4,792 sq ft) has been let to Community Health and Eyecare.

Harry Gornall-King, graduate surveyor for business space at Hicks Baker commented: “The repurposing of these office suites to alternative uses reflects the need for greater flexibility and landlords are demonstrating the ability to think ‘outside the box’ to widen their target audience to attract occupiers.

“While individually these lettings are relatively modest, the return of market activity is encouraging and illustrates that, as we emerge from lockdown, small companies are still confident enough in the Thames Valley as a commercial location to put down property roots and grow their businesses.”

Hicks Baker acted for the landlords on all four transactions; joint agents on Bowman House and Beechwood House were Parkinson Holt and Lambert Smith Hampton respectively.

For more information, please contact Harry Gornall-King on 0118 955 7075.