UK regions including Bristol overtake Central London for the first time as preferred destination for Middle East capital

The UK regions, including Bristol, Birmingham, Liverpool, Edinburgh and Glasgow were the preferred destinations for Middle Eastern capital in 2019, according to global real estate advisor, CBRE.

According to the property advisor, Middle East investors deployed £880m into the UK regions in 2019, compared to £650m in Central London. Whilst investment into the UK from the Middle East in 2019 was down on 2018, falling from £3.7bn to £1.5bn, this is the first time investors have deployed more capital into UK regional cities than into Central London.

Notable transactions by Middle East investors around the UK included the purchase of the Eagle House office building in Bristol by a private Middle Eastern investor.

Andy Sayner, Head of Capital Markets at CBRE Bristol, commented:

“In 2019 we saw a number of Middle East investors dispose of their London assets as they reached the end of their investment cycles. This group of investors have long been active in cities outside of London having invested £6bn the UK regions in the last five years. However, this is the first time regional investment activity has exceeded that in London. Investors are increasingly attracted by the high levels of investment into regional infrastructure and the opportunity to achieve greater yields.”