Cardiff Office market’s bumper year

Upward trend expected to continue

3 February 2016

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Figures released by Cooke & Arkwright’s Business Space team show that more than 617,000 sq ft of office space was let in 2015, up 14% on 2014. Associate Tim Lawley comments, “2015 was a bumper year with two major deals made in the final quarter, and with several high profile deals expected to complete this year we expect this upward trend to continue for 2016. The highest year we have on record was in 2011, with around 652,000 sq ft let, which included the 195,000 sq ft to Admiral in the city centre.

“Figures were boosted in 2015 by the BBC letting at Central Square of 150,000 sq ft and Public Health Wales at Capital Quarter for 51,000 sq ft. An additional 250,000 sq ft or so was also achieved through other office lettings throughout the city, demonstrating an overall confidence in the market and making it the second most successful year for deals since 1995.

“As Cardiff adopts even more Grade A office space, we have seen tenants such as the BBC and Blake Morgan commit even before the buildings have been completed and seeing big players such as these move into the city is no doubt having an effect on companies looking for space.”

Mansford has expanded its investment portfolio over the last few years. Over this time Andrew West has provided us with a full rating valuation service which has involved giving a view on liabilities prior to acquisitions, as well as conducting negotiations with Valuation Officers on our UK estate. The portfolio includes a wide range of properties from shops, offices and pubs to major leisure schemes. He has been particularly successful in mitigating our liabilities to empty property rate, which has been an issue on acquisition prior to implementing our development and letting strategy. I have no hesitation in recommending Andrew's expertise in rating valuation for all property types. The profile of property within his portfolio and the successes achieved are testament to his position as an extremely accomplished rating practitioner.

Leopold Hall, Partner, Mansford LLP