The M4 corridor is known for many things, but in 2004 it had no reputation as a location for Data Centres. At Jones Lang LaSalle we thought the area had potential, and approached Slough Estates (now SEGRO). The Trading Estate was – in our view - in the right place, and even better, had surplus energy at its dedicated power station that Data Centres could consume. Our proposal was that Slough Trading Estate should be marketed as a Data Centre location, and we were appointed DC consultants in January 2004.

The first job was to establish the viability of Slough as a destination for DC Operators. We undertook some of the preliminary due diligence, and approached several of the larger Investment Banks with active requirements. We were able to demonstrate that that the Trading Estate had synchronicity, fibre, power - and that it was well away from the Heathrow flight path., and they immediately realised the advantages of the location.  At the same time we worked closely with the Leasing team at Slough Estates, keeping them abreast of what was happening in the DC Market, and who was looking for Data Centre space.

The results were impressive. By the end of 2004 we leased a 150,000 square foot tier 4 facility to a International Investment Bank. In June 2006 we pre-let 80,000 square feet to a major European hosting company. And in 2007 we advised on three transactions totalling no less than 340,000 square feet. These included some of the largest DC lettings in the market (to Investment Banks and Third Party Operators), and accounted for 55 per cent of Grade A take up in the Thames Valley. Moreover, recent market overviews have seen our SEGRO buck the market downturn in industrial property. Spreading its occupational market from the traditional Manufacturing and Distribution uses into Data Centres has proved a particularly astute move.

Kevin O’Connor, Regional Director of SEGRO, commented, ‘Jones Lang LaSalle’s involvement with these transactions has been instrumental in the success of Slough Trading Estate as a recognised location for Data Centre occupiers..........putting SEGRO at the forefront of the Data Centre Market’.