Demand for data centre space in major European cities is on the up, according to new research.

Figures gathered by commercial property adviser CBRE have indicated that take-up of this space increased by 33 per cent in the first half of this year.

This year, more than 23,560 square metres of new data centre space has already been snapped up. Researchers have tipped annual take-up figures to exceed last year's total of 47,150 square metres.

In an interview with information-age.com, CBRE data centre director Martin Carroll claimed the increased take-up was largely down to investment early in the year.

He said: "Some organisations had delayed purchasing as they put operational expenditure controls in place. So in Q1, we saw a lot of deals that had been postponed last year."

Businesses have been keen to invest in their own data centres and in colocation. UK take-up has been particularly high, with London having already reached 87 per cent of last year's total.Ft.com reports that many new companies are coming into the market this year and this could continue to be the case in years to come.

Carroll concluded: "If you look at other real estate segments, such as office space or real estate, take-up of data centre space is pretty stellar."