But it is overseas investors rather than UK investors who are most active, the Regional Office Investment report from consultants CB Richard Ellis has found.
Although regional centres tend to lag behind central London markets with rental charges about 12 months behind, the report points out that the regions are less reliant on capital growth as a performance driver than most markets and as a result offer greater stability of returns.
'Although the investment market is going through some tough times nationally, the regional office markets continue to offer advantages in terms of stable rental income, relatively stable occupier markets and healthy supply/demand ratios,' said Millar Mathieson, senior director.
The occupier profile of the regions shows greater diversity than prime parts of London which are exposed by relying on just a few business sectors, the report has found.
It predicts that overall rents are unlikely to see significant growth but they are unlikely to see falls.
Scotland is performing particularly well. By the end of the first half of 2008 prime rents in Edinburgh were higher than at the beginning of the year and unchanged in Glasgow.
Aberdeen has experienced strong demand with take-up already surpassing that of the whole of 2007. The report indicates that the region performs well because of its close links to the oil industry.
'We anticipate that the current office demand in Aberdeen will continue and we expect rental levels to remain robust,' said Mike Robertson, managing director in the CB Richard Ellis Aberdeen office.
