The City’s army of property agents are poised to celebrate a buoyant offices market this Christmas, shrugging off “pessimism” in the Square Mile, a report said on Friday.

Despite concerns that businesses would delay or halt office moves in the wake of the Brexit vote, more than 5.6 million square feet of City leases have been agreed so far this year. The figures will help reassure those in the property market concerned firms will move staff abroad after Brexit.

Property agent JLL said that is already 5% higher than the total 2016 figure, and above the 10-year average.

It also forecast that total 2017 take-up could reach 6.25 million square feet.

JLL’s Dan Burn said: “The reality of the City market’s performance in 2017 is dramatically different from the more pessimistic views broadcast at the start of the year.”

Deals this year include Deutsche Bank’s new HQ at 21 Moorfields and Swiss asset manager GAM taking space at 8 Finsbury Circus. Shared-offices firms also grabbed swathes of space.

Burn warned some nervousness from occupiers could return if Brexit negotiations are protracted.

However, he added low supply meant 2018 was looking good.

Elsewhere on Friday, a report released by data firm HARNESS Property Intelligence, showed the City of London remains the UK’s most expensive area for commercial property (excluding offices), with an average price of £2.3 million. That covers properties including newsagents and cafes.