Arc Market Databook - Oxfordshire Industrial, Autumn 2021

Take up in H1 was just a little short of the total for 2020. This activity was boosted by the satisfaction of a number of significant requirements, helped by new stock coming forward particularly at Didcot Quarter.

However, with requirements remaining at close to an historic high, particularly for floorplates of over 50,000 sq ft, many of the buildings coming forward are already pre-let or under offer. The shortage of smaller units, that are in high demand by the cluster’s science and technology ecosystem, has the potential to place a break on business growth and the release of space from incubator facilities.

The market imbalance will be reflected in a sharp uptick in rents this year, with a tempering in pace as further stock comes forward.