Where Innovation Connects: Slough at the Crossroads of AI, Digital Infrastructure and Smart Logistics.

Slough has long been known as a key player in the logistics sector, but in recent years, the borough has emerged as a true leader in innovation. As businesses continue to seek more efficient and sustainable ways to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving world, Slough is becoming an increasingly attractive location for the data centre industry and high-tech logistics firms looking to implement cutting-edge solutions.

In order to provide the required capacity, SEGRO has completed nine new speculatively-built industrial units at Slough Trading Estate. The 107,000 sq ft redevelopment scheme at 136 Edinburgh Avenue replaces a single building. Sizes, designed for small and growing enterprises, range from 2,000 to 10,000 sq ft, and there two are larger units of 32,000 sq ft and 45,000 sq ft.

The units have a BREEAM Excellent rating and EPC A+ ratings. Inbuilt features include air source heat pumps, smart building sensors and controls and more than 21,000 sq ft of solar panels.

Pat Hayes, Executive Director of Housing, Property, and Regeneration at Slough Borough Council, says: “For innovative businesses, Slough is at the forefront of exciting development, attracting high-tech firms, and shaping the future. If you’re looking for a place to invest in the fast growth digital/AI future, Slough is where innovation is thriving for the benefit of your shareholders, the borough, its residents, the existing businesses community, and the wider UK economy.”

Data Centres of Excellence

Slough’s transformation into a hub for innovation is most strikingly illustrated by its booming data centre industry. What might look like ordinary warehouses to the untrained eye are in fact the sophisticated nerve centres powering the digital economy.

Since welcoming its first data centre in 2005, Slough has rapidly become Europe’s largest concentration of such facilities, now boasting in the region of 40 data centres. Major players include Equinix, Kao, Virtus, Iron Mountain, CyrusOne, and Digital Realty. The number makes it the largest concentration in Europe.

Among them is Equinix’s facility on Buckingham Avenue, a fortress-like structure secured with 24/7 surveillance and layered fencing. Inside, it houses two floors of vital infrastructure: a top floor dedicated to cooling the massive amounts of hardware, and a ground floor equipped with offices, emergency generators and batteries.

From financial transactions and government communications to the everyday apps on your phone, nearly all digital data flows through centres like those in Slough. Yondr’s arrival further underscores Slough’s status as a data centre of excellence. The launch of the first 20MW phase of its London Slough Campus adds significant capacity to the area’s digital infrastructure, supporting everything from cloud computing to AI applications.

As hyperscale operators like Yondr invest in the region, they’re not only expanding global connectivity but also reinforcing Slough’s role as a critical link in the world’s digital supply chain. With more phases in the pipeline and a vision for over 100MW of capacity, the development signals long-term confidence in Slough’s unique position as a tech-forward, future-ready destination.

A Leader in AI Technology

While the UK is widely recognised for its talent, creativity, and funding in artificial intelligence (AI), it's the infrastructure behind the scenes that will ultimately determine long-term leadership in this rapidly evolving space. That’s where Slough stands out. More than just a hub of business activity, Slough is emerging as a vital engine for the UK’s AI ambitions, thanks to its cutting-edge digital infrastructure and strategic investments in scalable, sustainable data facilities.

Digital Realty’s recent $200 million investment in its Slough data centre campus is a clear example of how the town is helping to future-proof the UK’s AI capabilities. Designed specifically to meet the high-performance demands of AI and machine learning, the campus offers 15MW of capacity, robust connectivity, and seamless access to major cloud platforms. This makes it an ideal base for businesses deploying AI at scale, with dense server deployments and low-latency performance that are critical for real-time data processing and innovation.

Slough’s position as a premier AI location is further reinforced by its green credentials. The campus runs entirely on renewable energy, aligning with Digital Realty’s commitment to carbon neutrality across its European portfolio by 2030. With a modular design approach that allows businesses to scale up effortlessly as AI demands grow, Slough is now not just supporting digital transformation, it's actively enabling the next wave of AI breakthroughs.

A Strategic Location for Logistics Excellence

Innovation extends beyond AI. Slough’s strategic location near Heathrow Airport provides an unparalleled advantage for logistics companies. As one of the busiest airports in the world, Heathrow serves as a critical hub for international trade, offering fast and efficient connections to global markets.

The area’s proximity to London, coupled with exceptional road and rail networks, ensures that goods can move quickly and efficiently, making it an ideal base for logistics firms. With the rise of e-commerce and the demand for faster, more reliable delivery services, Slough's location is becoming even more important. It allows logistics companies to respond quickly to consumer needs while also providing access to a skilled workforce and excellent infrastructure.

Logistics real estate developer Panattoni has recently completed an 80,000 square foot warehouse for last-mile deliveries near Heathrow, only 8 miles from Slough town centre. Last-mile logistics covers the final stage of the delivery journey, direct to customers' doors. This particular project, Panattoni Poyle 80, was developed speculatively without a confirmed tenant, highlighting confidence in the area's continued demand for high-quality logistics space.

During the planning stage, Panattoni highlighted a significant shortfall in available units of this scale (between 50,000 and 100,000 sq ft), underlining the project's importance in addressing the supply gap. Located at the southern end of Poyle Industrial Estate on Horton Road, the development spans approximately 12,000 sqm.

Panattoni Poyle 80 also sets a benchmark for sustainability in industrial development. It is a net-zero carbon building, constructed to high environmental standards with a BREEAM rating of ‘Excellent’ and an energy efficiency rating of ‘A’.