Warrington take-up bounces nearly one third

Warrington's office market saw deals with occupiers rise by 29% to 395,163 sq ft in 2013 compared to a year earlier.

The market saw a move away from the high number of distressed freehold deals via Law of Property Act receivers that characterised 2012, according to figures from Manchester Office Agents Forum.

The most notable transactions of this year were the letting of The Point in Birchwood, where MDS took a lease on the 30,000 sq ft HQ building, and the 38,759 sq ft re-letting of Renaissance House on Centre Park to a government department.

Simon Roddam, associate director and head of agency at Warrington property consultancy BE Group, and spokesman for Manchester Office Agents Forum, 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."

Leasehold transactions accounted for 71% of the overall take up in 2013, however a good level of owner occupier demand has been sustained with 14 transactions accounted in total, of which included the 20,000 sq ft sale of Millennium House in Birchwood to a government department.

MOAF exists to promote better knowledge of the Manchester City Region office market providing accurate market statistics and informed market commentary. Formed in 2009, its current members include CBRE, Canning O'Neill, Colliers International, Cushman & Wakefield, DTZ, Edwards & Co, GVA, Jones Lang LaSalle, Knight Frank, Lambert Smith Hampton, Matthews & Goodman, OBI Property, P3 Property Consultants, Savills, TSG Property Consultants, WHR and BE Group.