Slough is witnessing an uplift including the £450 million Heart of Slough project and many other private schemes, according to Slough Means Business.
There are 34 developments in the Heart of Slough including 3,000 new homes, three hotels and 90,000 sq ft of office space. Slough Means Business says the enthusiasm is down to lower rents and prices of both commercial and residential property.
London occupiers are looking for space outside London, either for back office functions or for headquarters functions. Crossrail adds to the attractiveness.
Rents are currently around the low £20s per sq ft but will rise, according to the council, who suggest that they will crest £30/sq ft when Crossrail opens.
The Curve, an arts, performance and community hub, which opens this year, will incorporate the town’s new library, freeing up a High Street site, currently earmarked for two hotels among a mix of uses. Slough Urban Renewal (SUR), launched in 2013, a joint venture between the council and Morgan Sindall, will push along many of the housing developments.
The Montem Leisure Centre will be replaced by 100 homes with a new leisure centre being built in Farnham Road.
There will be a mixed use scheme on the site of the former Thames Valley University which could include 1,500 homes along with office and leisure developments, and another at the Queensmere shopping centre which has permission for a refurbishment and 674 flats built above.
