Research on the industrial and logistics market across Greater Reading has reported an 89 per cent rise in take-up in 2025.
The Haslams Surveyors’ latest Greater Reading Industrial Market report says the take up figure of 369,365 sq ft is the highest since 2021 and in line with the five-year average.
Total supply rose nine per cent to 893,146 sq ft as tenants delayed decisions or rationalised portfolios in response to economic uncertainty, in part caused by the late Budget.
The report concludes that greater Reading’s fundamentals of strategic location, infrastructure and limited stock continue to underpin investor and occupier confidence.
Managing partner Neil Seager said: “Greater Reading’s industrial market has proved remarkably resilient. While decision-making is more measured, the town’s strategic location, outstanding connectivity and constrained supply mean investors and occupiers continue to see it as one of the Thames Valley’s safest long‑term bets.”
“Looking into 2026, the pipeline of best‑in‑class schemes and the depth of local demand leave Reading well placed to outperform many competing locations.”
Notable transactions in 2025 included acquisitions by Indurent of Robert Cort/Elgar Road Industrial Estate, Access 12 in Theale and Nimrod Industrial Estate.
Mileway acquired 2 Acre Road (63,345 sq ft) in a sale and leaseback deal and a 28,835 sq ft unit at Headley Park 8 while M7 Real Estate bought 1 Acre Road (68,610 sq ft) and Knight Frank Investors purchased the Grahams unit at Craddock Road (52,280 sq ft).
Goya completed its Hurricane Urban Hub, a new 10‑unit urban logistics scheme in Woodley, while Graftongate / JP Morgan acquired Reading Logistics Park (pictured) in April and speculatively started a four‑unit, 156,000 sq ft development near Junction 11. of the M4.
Haslams says early interest at Reading Logistics Park includes a pre‑letting of 37,000 sq ft at a rent in excess of £20 per sq ft, establishing a new prime benchmark for Reading’s industrial rents following post‑Covid growth.
The report notes that corporates are driving demand, with a ‘flight to quality’ towards Grade A and well‑refurbished units and a relative softening in requirements for space of up to 15,000 sq ft.
Key lettings last year were focused on refurbished space, including Unit 30 Worton Grange (55,066 sq ft) to BYD, Unit 8 Acre Road (32,072 sq ft) to Timeline TV and 53,735 sq ft at Winnersh Triangle to Ahead, a global IT and cloud solutions provider.
Haslams believes Reading’s industrial market will remain resilient through 2026 with planned schemes such as Wrenbridge’s 229,000 sq ft redevelopment of the former Shire Hall site and Panattoni’s two‑unit, 104,000 sq ft project at Theale highlighting the continued confidence in Reading as a prime logistics and industrial hub.
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