A positive start to 2022 for the UK Commercial Property Market

A positive start to 2022 for the UK Commercial Property Market

According to the latest CBRE Monthly Index, capital values across all UK commercial property increased by 2% in March 2022 and 3.9% in Q1 2022.

Retail Warehouses were at the forefront of the sector’s growth, recording 4.7% in March and 7.5% in Q1 2022. The Retail sector recorded record levels of growth in Q1 2022, with capital values increasing by 4.5% – the highest rate recorded in CBRE index history.

The UK Office sector also witnessed increased activity, with values rising by 0.9% in the first three months of the year.

In terms of rental value growth, total returns for the sector reached 3.4% in March and 6.1% in the first quarter of 2022.

As with all UK property sectors, the performance of each asset class varies based on location, with regional cities – especially those found in the North of England – outperforming the national average.

Manchester commercial property market

Those researching prime markets for commercial property investments will be interested in the strong performance of Manchester’s market.

As more people return to an office setting, the commercial property sector will likely undergo a significant transformation as demand for office space reignites.

The latest Manchester Office Market report released by Knight Frank in Q4 2021 has reflected a substantial bounce-back, with the last three months of the year marking its most active quarter, with investment volumes reaching £309 million.

The 347,141 sq ft transacted between October and December exceeded the 257,164 sq ft signed the previous quarter, with the number of deals reaching 56 in Q4.

Prime rents reached £38.50 per sq ft in Q4, with levels expected to reach £40.00 per sq ft in 2022.

As one of the UK’s fastest-growing economies, Manchester is home to an active commercial centre. With more companies returning to the office, 2022 will likely be a positive year for the city’s commercial market.

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