Cambridge is on track to record its strongest combined office and laboratory take-up since 2021 in 2026, according to Bidwells’ latest Market Databook.
Office take-up reached 296,700 sq ft in the first half of the year, well ahead of the long-term trend, with availability falling to 11.4%, or 869,600 sq ft.
In the laboratory market, requirements rose to 606,500 sq ft, the highest level in three years, while H1 take-up of 42,700 sq ft was in line with the equivalent periods in 2024 and 2025.
Max Bryan, head of laboratory and office agency at Bidwells, said: “H1 2026 provides scope for optimism with much needed new infrastructure opening at Cambridge South Station and reinforced with The Greater Cambridge Development Corporation being established with £800m committed across Cambridge and Oxford will now help drive future growth. The announcement of GSKs expansion at Cambridge Biomedical Campus is a vote of confidence for the Cambridge ecosystem and will see the laboratory market performance strengthen after a couple of tough years.
“Lab vacancy is now likely at peak availability levels providing opportunities for occupiers to upgrade space. Office market performance has shown good take up in H1 driven by the edge and out of city markets but also increasing activity beginning to return to central locations. Office availability is falling with limited Grade A options. This has led to the distinction between office and lab space in Cambridge is being more flexible, as some lab specified buildings open to providing office solution for innovation companies.”
