FlexSA celebrates Reading’s flex space boom

2nd October 2025

Thames Valley capital leading the way with highest office take-up in five years

The Flexible Space Association (FlexSA) brought together workspace operators and industry professionals in Reading this week to celebrate the town’s thriving flexible workspace sector. The roundtable event, held at Spaces, Greyfriars Road, highlighted Reading’s rapid growth with data showing the town is outperforming regional competitors in office take-up and flex space demand. 

Reading’s flexible workspace scene is showing no signs of slowing down in 2025. After Reading University reported a record-breaking year in 2024 (when the town saw its highest office take-up in five years, with 570,000 sq ft let across the town centre and business parks), demand has stayed strong. Big names like Deloitte, Centrica, and Kenvue have either taken space in the area or are actively looking, and the latest Spaces to Places 2025 report highlights Reading as one of the UK’s top towns for flexible workspace growth. It’s clear that Reading is becoming a go-to destination for businesses embracing hybrid working and looking for high-quality, well-connected office space. 

According to the South East Office Market Report 2025 by Lambert Smith Hampton, leasing activity has reached a three-year high, with prime office space in short supply and occupiers willing to pay premium rents - up to 45% higher in standout locations like Reading. Reading benefits from its strategic position within the Thames Valley, a region often dubbed the “Silicon Valley of Europe.” As highlighted in BDO’s report on UK tech growth hotspots, the Thames Valley is home to over 8,000 digital companies and 60,000 specialists, supported by world-class infrastructure and innovation hubs such as Thames Valley Science Park and Harwell Campus. 

The FlexSA Reading roundtable offered a platform for members to discuss market trends and explore the future of flexible workspaces in the Thames Valley. Attendees also toured additional nearby workspaces Co-Space, Quadrant House and The Quad, One Station Hill - gaining insight into how operators are adapting to evolving occupier needs. 

“There’s a real buzz in Reading,” said Jane Sartin, Executive Director of FlexSA. “Demand is strong, the spaces are top quality, and there’s a great sense of collaboration among local businesses. It’s no wonder Reading is attracting both big companies and creative workspace providers.” 

In 2024, the Reading office market saw significant activity, with 60% of deals concentrated in the town centre, driven by major lettings at 1 Station Hill to PepsiCo, PwC, and NewFlex, which secured over 110,000 sq ft of space (Hicks Baker). 

With world-class transport links, a thriving professional community, and developments like Station Hill attracting global brands, Reading’s flexible workspace industry is thriving. The FlexSA roundtable marks a milestone in the town’s journey, bringing together the people and ideas shaping the future of work in the Thames Valley.