A report by Kent County Council and Cluttons LLP, the 2009 Kent Property Market Report, has revealed that the Kent commercial property market has exceeded expectations by recording a positive and encouraging performance in the financial year between April 2008 and March 2009.

The report reviews property performance and major deals in Kent and provides insight on residential, retail, tourism and regeneration programmes and for the first time, the rural property market. It revealed that office rentals have grown by +0.4% compared to the UK average which fell -3.8%, whilst retail rental values increased by +0.9%, despite a challenging economic climate. As Kent does not depend on a single sector but has a wide-ranging property market, the economy has also benefited.

Paul Carter, leader of Kent County Council, said: "This report shows that Kent is resilient and is coming out of this recession fighting as Kent has fared well in comparison to the rest of the UK. At Kent County Council we see regeneration as a major responsibility. We will continue to invest in roads, schools and major regeneration schemes such as those in Kent Thameside. And, as a county, we must take full advantage of the opportunities presented by the arrival of high speed rail services to Kent."

The report stated that the launch of Southeastern’s high speed rail link to London from December, in conjunction with a variety of regeneration projects such as Kent Thameside, part of Thames Gateway, the county has a positive future ahead. These will further fuel investment and growth on top of the 6,900 companies currently operating in the area, with the 25,000 new homes and 50,000 jobs to be created in the next 25 years.