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A record amount of office space is being built outside downtown London, hurting businesses that rely on foot traffic in the core.

There is now nearly 160,000 square feet of office space under construction in the suburbs, joining another 90,000 sq. ft. that has sprouted up in the outlying area in the past year, states a report from CBRE, the commercial realty firm.

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“Something is not working. Body count is important to businesses downtown,” said David White, a downtown retail advocate who owns a core clothing store that bears his name.

“It is frustrating when you see city hall allowing expansion outside the core to the detriment of the downtown,” he said.

Adding to the woes of downtown businesses, the office vacancy rate in the core is 21.3 per cent, while the suburban vacancy rate is 17.3 per cent.

“It just keeps coming from every direction, and what are we left with here? Social services and non-profits that don’t pay taxes,” said White.