Prime rents in the Essex office market grew across most locations in the six months to the end of Q1 2026, with Brentwood, Chelmsford and Braintree seeing the strongest upturn in rents.  Across the Essex sub region, rents were up by 6.7% on average, with growth being supported by the low levels of availability. Basildon has seen a varied 12 months, with values coming off in the first part of the year but recovering some of the ground in the second six months. The outturn for owner occupier capital values has been more varied, with Brentwood and Chelmsford seeing capital values rise, whilst values in Braintree slipped to £200 per sq ft.