Take-up

Take-up in Bristol during Q1–Q3 totalled 439,420 sq ft, which was achieved through 78 transactions, 15% above the five-year average. Take-up was 30% higher than the same period in 2024, and also 30% and 15% higher than the Q1–Q3 five- and ten-year averages, respectively.

Grade A and Prime combined take-up totalled 266,595 sq ft in Q1-Q3, accounting for 61% of take-up. Take-up was also 122% higher than in same period in 2024, highlighting occupiers preferences for premium office space. There were 30 Grade A and Prime transactions during the period, 50% higher than Q1–Q3 2024.

Supply

Availability at the end of Q3 in Bristol totals 1.3 million sq ft, an increase of 10% on the previous quarter. This means that the vacancy rate now stands at 10.5%. Of the total availability, secondary stock accounts for 67% of the total, by totalling 879,000 sq ft.

Grade A availability totals 142,000 sq ft, a decrease of 18% on Q3 2025, and Prime totals 296,000 sq ft representing a decrease of 9%. The combined Grade A and Prime vacancy rate has decreased by 50 basis points to 3.5%, continuing to highlight the scarcity of best-in-class space in Bristol.

Take-up by business sector

The most active business sector during Q1–Q3 2025 was the 'Insurance & Financial' sector, which leased a combined total of 130,352 sq ft through ten transactions. The sector accounted for 20% of the total take-up, with Hargreaves Lansdown acquiring the largest transaction at the Welcome Building in Q3, a total of 90,000 sq ft. This was also the second largest transaction on record for the sector.

Another active sector was the 'Property Company, Development & Construction' sector, by accounting for 16% of the total. The sector leased a combined 71,114 sq ft through seven transactions, with the largest acquired by Mott MacDonald at One Hundred for a total of 22,115 sq ft during Q3.

Rents

There have been consecutive quarter increases during 2025, with another increase in Prime headline rent in Q3 2025 in Bristol, which has now reached £50 per sq ft. This was achieved by Birketts at EQ, and represents an increase of 2% on the previous headline of £49 per sq ft, with Bristol continuing to have the highest Prime rent across the UK Big 6 markets. The city has experienced Prime rental growth of 33% since the end of 2019, and further growth is projected in the next five years, with Prime supply increasingly constrained. It is anticipated that Bristol will achieve £54 per sq ft by 2027, if not before, representing an increase of 8% on current rental levels.

Interested in other areas of the UK?

View all of our latest Q3 2025 occupational office data research here.

Further reading:

Spotlight: Bristol offices – summer 2025