Bristol Snapshot, July 2012

Bristol net stock absorption was negative for the second six month period in succession, although the fall in the occupation levels has slowed. Grade A absorption fell sharply but still remained positive with only two Grade A deals recorded in H1 2012.

Half year on half year take-up was flat although it was down on the equivalent period for 2011 and considerably down on the five-year average of circa 270,000 sq ft. H1 2012 only had two transactions above 10,000 sq ft which compared to a total of nine in the whole of 2011.

Overall vacancy in the city core currently stands at a 19.8%, a very modest rise quarter on quarter. Grade A availability saw a modest fall as did Grade B product. These falls were offset by release of Grade C units onto the market which caused a rise of 18% in that category. Absorption of Grade C product fell across the whole city centre market and was down by 93,558 sq ft in comparison to a rise of 118,828 sq ft over the previous 12 months.