Gloucestershire is reaping benefits of increase in construction activity9th October 2013

With the UK construction industry reporting its highest level of activity since June 2010, Gloucestershire is preparing to reap the benefits, said Robert Smith, Associate Partner at Bruton Knowles.

The construction industry is vital to the county’s future growth said Mr Smith and the upturn this summer will have a knock-on effect that will be felt throughout Gloucestershire.

“There is a new wave of optimism across the industry now we are at last seeing residential developers very active once again. Some projects have been mothballed for a few years but are now on the move. The Government announced at the end of last month that they will bringing forward their Help to Buy scheme, which has helped thousands of people get onto the property ladder.

“Gloucestershire has always thrived when the construction industry has thrived. Many of the new projects are creating vitally needed new homes. Once the housing sector is moving then that has a knock-on effect on other trades.

“When people buy a new home they furnish it, decorate it etc, which will help the retail sector and we will see a positive spiral instead of the negative one we have seen for the past few years.

“Most importantly is the ability for the property and construction sector to create jobs, which once again will bring wealth to the area.”

Mr Smith said the Government’s Help to Buy Scheme had helped to stimulate the housing sector and although growth was still less than one per cent across the country it was having a positive effect after three years of downward spiralling figures.”

“It is still early days but these positive signs are great news, and it is likely that we will see more commercial activity in the coming months. As companies move to larger premises this frees up much needed second hand space which is lacking at present.