Kent Benefits from Commercial Property Investment

The economy and commercial property market in Kent are now reaping the benefits of major capital spending in the past few years, such as the high speed rail system, and intense marketing by a number of organisations, notably the inward investment agency Locate in Kent (LIK). This satisfying picture is displayed in the 19th Kent Property Market report written by Cluttons and Kent County Council, produced by LIK and supported by the RICS, law firm Cripps Harries Hall and surveyors Smiths Gore. The key figures are that demand for industrial space jumped by 50% including a number of substantial deals as well as LIK achieving a 14% increase in new projects with property requirements. That success owes a great deal to persistence over many years.

Demand for office space was also up by an impressive 43% in the past year. Alison Owen of Cluttons commented: “The report highlights Kent’s continued healthy performance in comparison to neighbouring counties, other areas of the south east and, indeed, the rest of the country. One key influencing factor is the impact of large scale infrastructure improvements, such as the high speed rail link.” She quoted some impressive figures for the increase in passenger numbers with Ashford recording a 120% rise in the second half of 2009. The fast rail link is crucial to Ashford’s £2.5 billion Growth Area development strategy. “A number of major developments remain underway across the county,“ Owen said. “Projects such as the £50 million Bluewater Events Venue and the scheme to spend £75 million on new homes in Gravesend’s Christian Fields, for example, means that Kent’s economy remains in better shape than many of its competitors.”

This optimistic view was endorsed by LIK’s Peter Symons who said: “Our projects and property demand figures suggest confidence in Kent and Medway has not waned during the difficult economic climate.” He noted a shift in the type of companies seeking to relocate and expand from manufacturing and engineering to retail and wholesale, construction and property.

The Kent, Surrey and Sussex Commercial Property Register

The Commercial Property Register for Kent, Surrey and Sussex is a leading UK business property publication from Martin Austen Publishing. The aim of the publication is to offer a simple and effective means of finding Offices Space, Serviced Offices and Commercial Property in Kent Surrey and Sussex. You can also find the latest commercial property news for this region.