Finance recruitment specialists Robert Half International has moved into Apex Plaza in a deal which illustrates the recovery in the Reading office market.

Acting on behalf of landlords Prudential, agents Campbell Gordon and Colliers CRE have jointly let the 3,200 sq.ft office at £25.50 per sq.ft, the highest rent since Great Brighams Mead was let to Hutchison 3G in 2001 at £27.

Robert Half is moving across the road from Thames Tower.

Duncan Campbell associate at Campbell Gordon, said: "Rents for prime stock in central Reading are really on the move. The have increased by about 15% over the past two years, and the rate of growth is increasing.

"Rent-free periods are reducing. At Apex Plaza we are now doing deals with six to seven months' rent free over five years. This compares to the 12 months' rent free that was the norm a year ago.

"This rental growth is primarily due to a lack of supply of grade A stock in the town centre. In addition, demand, after being static for a long time, is now rising too. I think for this reason we could see rents continuing to grow for sometime ahead."

Robert Half International had witnessed similarly strong local economy. Three years ago the firm set up in Thames Tower with two staff. It now has 14 and needs more space to grow further. The office the third fastest growing of its 31 offices.

Regional director Clive Davis said the growth was in line with that of the firm's clients.

He said: "Some firms we work for have gone from 20 to 60 staff. That's very much in line with our expansion."

Research, he said, showed one in three was recruiting over the next six months.