New figures have revealed Scotland's commercial market remained buoyant between July and September this year.

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors' UK Commercial Market Survey for Q3 states occupier demand continued to rise in the industrial sector, yet was weak in the retail market and declined in the office properties.

Rent expectations remained strong in industrial properties, however there was more subdued activity in the office and retail sectors.

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Elsewhere, results were stronger from the investment market than in the occupier sector, but investment enquires rose across the board.

Scotland Director Gail Hunter said the country's commercial sector was buoyed by the industrial market "which negated a slump in office rentals and weakness in retail".

"This was mirrored in rent expectations, which were strongest in the industrial market but levelled off elsewhere," she said.

"A key issue for Scotland going forward will be how the market responds to the likely first interest rate rise in a decade next month. Given that expectations are only for a modest tightening in policy, the likelihood is that it will be able to weather the shift in the mood music. But this remains a potential challenge if rates go up more than is currently anticipated."

(LM/MH)