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Overseas investors are regions' best hope

By: Language: English Series: Property Week ; 77(13) 1 April 2011, 26(1)Publication details: 2011Subject(s): Summary: A new CoStar report predicts that the UK's regional commercial property markets have reached a tipping point and that foreign investors could bring the provinces out of the doldrums. A slow improvement in investor activity in 2010 has continued in the first three months of 2011. Regional office transactions in 2010 reached £3.5bn (£3bn in 2009). Costar forecasts strong regional rental gains over the next five years, averaging 19% across regional office and 14% across retail markets. The London market remains propped up by foreign capital.

A new CoStar report predicts that the UK's regional commercial property markets have reached a tipping point and that foreign investors could bring the provinces out of the doldrums. A slow improvement in investor activity in 2010 has continued in the first three months of 2011. Regional office transactions in 2010 reached £3.5bn (£3bn in 2009). Costar forecasts strong regional rental gains over the next five years, averaging 19% across regional office and 14% across retail markets. The London market remains propped up by foreign capital.