Swindon more active

Eduserve is to use Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) to promote its 3,437 sq.metres (37,000 sq.ft.) data centre in Swindon. This means promoting the dedicated customer data vaults to a wider business audience. JLL’s Charlie Carden said: “The centre has the ability to deliver bespoke customer solutions within an established facility from a proven provider of IT services.”

It comes at a time when the Swindon office market is struggling to break out of the recession. Jeremy Sutton of Keningtons said: “The office market has become a bit more active and there has been an increase in viewings in the current quarter.” He noted that there has been an increasing workload on lease renewals, which will become increasingly important in the future as the 25 year leases of the 1980s run out.

Big sheds dominate

Major distribution facilities are at the heart of a vibrant industrial sector which has emerged strongly from the recession. That is because geographical necessity plays a significant role. That applies to Swindon where the Japanese car firm Honda performs so well and could play a bigger role in the immediate aftermath of the earthquake in the home country.

Its key location brought DIY firm B&Q into a massive 74,007 sq.metres (796,649 sq.ft.) shed on Gazeley’s G Park, South Marston, which was completed two months early. That is a change from the phased occupation that was originally planned. The site has the capacity for two more large sheds, although smaller than B&Q’s, at 40,876 sq.metres (440,000 sq.ft.) and a quarter of that size.

Gazeley’s Charles Blake commented: “Deliverability is the key. The buildings have planning permission and the roads are going in because of B&Q.” In this case the DIY firm bought the freehold. Another substantial development is by UBS Triton Property Fund which has demolished the former Woolworth shed and, working with Graftongate, is seeking planning permission for a 41,805 sq.metres (450,000 sq.ft.) facility although it might opt for a solar photovoltaic park. Also at South Marston, RO Developments (ROD) has sold a 384 sq.metres (4,136 sq.ft.) unit at South Gate for £340,000. Richard Bourne of ROD said: “RO24 Swindon continues to prove popular with local businesses and private investors. We only have 5 units remaining and we expect these to go soon.”

Meanwhile, there has been an improvement in the office market in Swindon, said Kenington’s Jeremy Sutton, with an increase in enquiries in the first quarter and more buildings going under offer. “There are opportunities in lease renewals and companies are now looking to move to better space. This is mainly smaller occupiers although there are some more substantial enquiries in the market.” He expects the totally rebuilt Station Square office property, which at 4,645 sq.metres(50,000 sq.ft.) is one of the largest in town, to do well.