29% jump in Warrington office take-up

DEMAND for offices in Warrington grew by 29% to 395,163 sq ft last year according to figures from the Manchester Office Agents Forum (MOAF).

The biggest transactions were MDS’s 30,000 sq ft at The Point in Birchwood, and the letting of the 38,759 sq ft Renaissance House at Centre Park to the Independent Police Complaints Commission Hillsborough investigation.

Leasehold transactions accounted for 71% of take-up, however MOAF said owner occupier demand held up with 14 transactions including the sale of 20,000 sq ft Millennium House in Birchwood to a government department.

Simon Roddam, associate director at BE Group, and spokesman for MOAF, said: “Warrington continues to react well to demand from larger occupiers seeking good quality HQ accommodation. With new buildings for Golden Gates Housing, Phonak and Your Housing nearing completion, and the recent letting in Birchwood to MDS, there are clear signs of an upsurge in the Warrington office market.”

Steve Park, managing director of Warrington & Co, the town’s economic development company, said: “These figures are encouraging and are the latest in a series of very strong economic statistics, demonstrating that Warrington is a real place of choice for investors.”