Companies have been warned that the average cost of renting logistics properties in the UK will rise next year.

New research conducted by real estate specialist Colliers has shown that tenants will have to pay an extra 1.5 per cent in 2014 and this could then increase by a further two per cent in 2015, Logistics Manager reports.

Rental decreases are expected to stop in 2013, as it becomes apparent that available warehouse space - especially over 100,000 sq ft - is drying up rapidly.

Indeed, a number of recent studies have indicated that a lack of investment in new large-scale distribution centres is causing huge problems, particularly in the Midlands and eastern parts of the country.

Dr Walter Boettcher, director of research and forecasting at Colliers International, told the news provider that investor interest can be linked to the limited supply of warehouses and that a lack of funding is holding the sector back.

"The impact of e-commerce and internet supply logistics cannot be underestimated, nor that of ongoing consolidation of supermarket supply chains," he was quoted as saying.