13,000 sq ft of offices negotiated in ‘positive market’

Nurton Developments says it is continuing to see positive activity in Birmingham with nearly 13,000 sq ft of office space let or leases renewed in the past two months.

A private health company has just taken 3,082 sq ft at Temple Row, with solicitors Benussi & Co renewing their lease for 3,680 sq ft at Newater House on Newhall Street and an online sales company taking 6,000 sq ft at Trigate on the Hagley Road.

Rupert Young, Nurton’s development director said: “Whilst the changing working environment naturally makes companies constantly reassess their  space requirements and look towards more agile working practices, we’re pleased to say serious enquiries have remained pretty even though total enquiry numbers have temporarily fallen for obvious reasons.

‘We’ve continued to invest in our office buildings to maintain their appeal to modern occupiers and have achieved some solid lettings. Trigate’s deal in particular was very sizeable for the building and probably one of the larger lettings recently achieved in the area.”

Young added: “To assist companies looking to move, we’ve had to be flexible with occupiers as we understand its challenging to predict longer term growth trends right now.

“Recent events have certainly shown us there is no room for complacency and we must all learn to adapt to the marketplace if  we are to thrive.”

Trigate, which recently underwent a £150,000 refurbishment to create a new reception and communal areas, also operates a Flexibase model which enables occupiers to start up or downsize and take anything from a desk to a whole office suite.

“As a landlord we feel it’s important our offices help to nurture businesses and hearing that Birmingham has been crowned regional start-up capital for the seventh-year running demonstrates the city is still full of entrepreneurial spirit despite the pandemic,” said Young.

“Being prepared to work with rising stars and occupiers and listen to their changing needs is going to be vital if we are to remain viable and relevant in the future.”