PRESS RELEASE
3rd February 2017
London leads all regions for office moves in 2016
According to the latest report from relocation specialists’ helpmovingoffice and post-construction lead
specialists Office Moves, it was London that dwarfed all other regions with 31 per cent of the total UK
office move requirements in 2016, more than double when compared to the second placed South East
(see figure 1.1).
Overall, the UK saw a year-on-year increase in office move requirements (seven per cent) in 2016
but the yearly figure London was actually down by six per cent, however due to the sheer amount of
office moves still recorded in London meant that it was a healthy and productive year for the office
relocation service industry.
The biggest increase (12%) of all regions was the West Midlands in 2016, fuelled by the recent spike
in office moves across Birmingham, with the city in particular having a really strong year with big firms
such as BDO and DAC Beachcroft moving across the city.
(Figure 1.1)
However many firms did put their foot on the brakes when it comes to office moves last year, trying
to avoid making a decision about their property situation in the run up to Brexit.
Simon Rhodes, Group Commercial Director at Office Moves commented on the findings from the
report “With the EU referendum creating political and economic uncertainty, spilling over into the
office moves industry in 2016 where activity levels were down by 18 per cent compared to 2015, we
assume that many companies were and still are ‘holding their breath’ until a Brexit future is clearer.”
“However 2017 will provide a host of opportunities, particularly for prospective office move tenants.
Many companies will be in a position to move office and could benefit from reduced rents and
favourable break options as landlords try to fill any empty spaces and will be highly motivated to do
deals.”
-ENDSNotes to editors:
Press enquiries to:
Jonathan Touhey at Office Moves
e: [email protected]
t: 0151 353 3605
m: 07976 837339
About Office Moves:
Office Moves from Barbour ABI is a specialist supplier of insight and data about company relocations
and office refurbishments for the post-construction marketplace. By researching a wide range of
sources to identify businesses in need of products and services relating to new, relocating and
expanding operations, it is the leading provider of specialist business leads covering non-planned
projects. Office Moves is part of global events-led marketing and communications company, UBM.
About UBM:
UBM is one of the world's leading business-to-business (B2B) events organisers, bringing the world’s
buyers and sellers together at events and online, as well as producing and distributing news and
specialist content. With 3,500 staff in 70 offices across 20 countries of the world, UBM’s expert
teams serve commercial and professional communities, helping them to do business and their
markets to work effectively and efficiently.
For more information, go to www.ubm.com or follow on Twitter at @UBM_plc for all the latest UBM
corporate news.