A BUSINESS accommodation survey has revealed that lack of top quality office space in the Canterbury area is deterring new companies.

But the study also reports that the development of a big, out-of-town business park is probably not viable.

That, however, does not mean that the proposed Highland Court business park would not be feasible, because the report refers to a much bigger scale development.

The conclusions have been drawn up by property agents, Savills who where commissioned by the city council to produce the findings.

The 80-page survey was presented to more than 50 representatives from local businesses at a reception Westgate Hall last Thursday. It was compiled following intensive interviewing of company bosses and designed to be as independent as possible.

Among it findings were that Maidstone and Ashford both had higher profiles than Canterbury as office centres in Kent. But office-based employment in the district was still set to grow by around 2,700 jobs over the next 10 years.

Although there is 60,000 sq ft of office space available in Canterbury, none could be classified as grade A and only two units of more than 10,000 sq ft were immediately available.

One of the problems highlighted was that existing local companies would be reluctant to pay the kind of rents demanded by developers for new accommodation.

But most respondents to the survey questionnaire wanted a modern building close to the city centre with car parking. Only 20 per cent said they would prefer business park accommodation.

And the survey concluded that the only likelihood of getting new office accommodation was through the city council entering a joint venture with a developer.

Cllr Nick Eden-Green who sat on all-party panel of councillors which has been working with Savills, said of the survey: "It may not have thrown up anything particularly earth-shattering, but we weren't expecting that. We know that we are struggling to attract major new companies to the area. However, it will help us shape our future policy on this issue."