Recent statistics from Property Data have shown that annual investment in UK commercial property has exceeded £50 billion for the first time in 2005, which is an increase of 18% on 2004. Of this, overseas investors invested £16 billion, which is an increase of 77% on last year's figures.
Irish investors invested the most in the UK commercial market, with £4 billion, followed by the US, the Middle East and Germany.
Last year, more than £7 billion was invested from overseas in central London offices.
Our view
Given the Government U-Turn on pensions now not being able to invest in residential property, we believe there will be an even greater leaning towards commecial property.