According to chartered surveyor Campbell Gordon, this renewed confidence in the commercial property market is set to continue.

“The market is fairly strong”, said partner Duncan Campbell, who has overseen the letting of 93,000 sq.ft at Apex Plaza over the last three years.

2000 was obviously the boom, with all the deals at GreenPark.

Then it fell right down and hit a 10 year low.

However, things are on the up again.  We had a very good 2007, with lots of significant deals, and this year has started well.  Viewings are the highest they have been for four years.”

And Mr Campbell believes the average town centre rental price, which currently stands at £28 per sq.ft, is set to rise and rise.

“It’s not boom time, but we feel that the prospects are good.  Big corporations are still looking to take space.

The problem is the lack of Grade ‘A’ space in central Reading – we saw this with the time it took Yell to find a new home.

This fact, coupled with the increase in demand, means rents could even break through the £30 sq.ft barrier in the next couple of years.”