B8RE reports bumper year for industrial investment
Marking a 16% increase on 2024, transactions totalling £1.19bn were completed in 2025, while the occupational big-box market saw a third straight year of growth.
That 2024 figure was £1.04bn, across 63 deals, according to B8RE’s H2 2025 market update. Eighty four sales were completed in 2025. The number and size of transactions in 2025 were highly consistent with the five-year average of £1.18 bn.
On a quarterly basis, North West industrial investments leapt in Q4 after a steady nine months., breaking down as follows:
- Q1 – 18%, 17 deals – £218m
- Q2 – 26%, 19 deals – £314m
- Q3 – 18%, 15 deals – £213m
- Q4 – 37%, 33 deals – £444m
Eyecatching deals included Chancerygate’s purchase of Birch Business Park in Heywood for around £58m and Clarion’s £115m acquisition of Frontier Park, Blackburn.
B8RE also recorded approximately £310m across 15 deals that were under offer going into 2026.
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John Burrows, investment director at B8 Real Estate, said: “The North West industrial market remained notably resilient throughout 2025, albeit performance was increasingly sub-sector specific, with investor demand focussed on good quality value-add and multi-let assets.
“The end of Q4 saw a noticeable uplift in investor enquiries following the Autumn Budget, suggesting renewed confidence and a clearer understanding of the fiscal landscape. Looking ahead to 2026, there is a sense of cautious optimism across the market.
“However, much will depend on whether debt costs and gilt rates ease sufficiently over the course of the year to unlock greater liquidity, particularly within the core investment market.”
In the “big box” market, the North West occupational market saw take-up of 3.77m sq ft in 2025 across 25 transactions, marking the third straight year of growth, and a 15.5% increase compared to 2024 (3.22m sq ft).
There was increased occupier activity from summer onwards, with 1.56m sq ft recorded in H1 2025 and 2.16m sq ft in H2 2025.
Will Kenyon, director at B8 Real Estate, concluded: “2025 proved to be a strong year for the North West industrial market, with take-up outperforming both 2024 levels and the five-year average. Activity gathered real momentum in the second half of the year and we believe this uptick signals further confidence in the North West for the year ahead.”
The largest letting of the year was 421,250 sq ft to Regency Glass at Omega420 in Warrington, while a record rent of £12.50 per sq ft was achieved at Haydock140.
