Commercial property agents John Truslove are reporting a surge to the suburbs and satellite towns as business starts to reflect on office needs post the Covid-19 lockdown.

Joint managing director Ian Parker said there had been a sharp rise in interest in office space outside of city centres.

“Lockdown, and working remotely, has made a lot of business owners reflect on what office space their business really requires.

“Not only the square footage, but where it actually needs to be.

“Battling through rush hour traffic, leaving home an hour earlier than should be necessary just so you can be at your desk spot on 9am – and then repeating the same sometime after 5pm – the penny has dropped.

“Maybe there is another way.”

He cited a number of examples of the kind of office space that is now proving popular.

“We have been contacted by one business owner who has been persuaded to retire by the pandemic and has instructed us to sell her attractive rural offices.

“2 Croft Court in Warwickshire has all the desk, chairs, IT and comms connections already in place, and offers ideal air-conditioned space for a small business with 927 sq ft ranged over a ground floor and upper floor area – all open plan.

“It’s a real ‘plug in and go’ opportunity and would be idea for a small company with staff who may not need to be in the office every single day. So it could suit a company with more than ten staff – with staff in the office when they need to be, rather than Monday to Friday regardless.

“It sits on a hill at Temple Grafton above Alcester, in a gated office complex with delightful rural views. The office estate is extremely well maintained and the offices for sale or to rent come with three parking spaces and a visitor space, plus overspill parking.”

The property is for sale for £165,000 or to rent at £12,000 per annum.

Ian Parker added that businesses did not need a lengthy commute to find exceptional office space.

“Ravens Court at Ravensbank Business Park on the outskirts of Redditch just off the A435 which feeds into the M42 and the national motorway network. It is less than half an hour from Birmingham International Airport and Birmingham International railway station.

“This high-spec , self-contained office property has been refurbished to Grade A standard and offers accommodation on a par with or better than any new office development in a city centre.

“It offers 9,808 sq ft of clear open floor plates for maximum flexibility,” he said.

The property has an exceptional 50 on-site parking spaces and is available to purchase freehold or a new lease, prices on application. It is being offered by John Truslove jointly with KWB.

Similarly, just south of Birmingham and a few minutes from Junctions 2 and 3 of the M42, The Archway in Radford Road, Alvechurch, offers 3,923 sq ft of office space.

The original character and charm of the building, with exposed beams throughout, has been retained but the property has been extensively modernised to meet the demands of 21^st century business with Category 5 telecom and data network cabling.

Ian Parker said: “It’s location is perfect for a significant West Midlands company or a national or international business seeking a regional, centrally-located base.”

The Archway is available to rent for £55,000 on a new lease of three years or more, as required.

Mr Parker said: “These three examples are representative of the kind of office space more and more companies are considering and this bodes extremely well for landlords with extensive holdings in the suburbs of cities, satellite towns and nearby rural locations.”

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For more information, contact:

John Truslove, Daralbee House, Archer Road, Redditch, B98 8DJ

01527 584242

Prepared by Andy Skinner of ASAP PR, 01789 490786.