If you are thinking of buying your very own commercial premises outright, a property survey will be a vital investment before signing on the dotted line. First and foremost, it’s important to differentiate between a property survey and a property valuation. A valuation will determine a market value for the workspace, based on its structural condition, but it won’t dig...

If you are a new or growing business, you will appreciate the importance of committing to a new commercial property lease. It’s an agreement that ties you to a premises for a defined period, so it’s vital that you make sure you choose the right workspace for you, your employees and your clients. As an owner-manager of 5.5 million square...

In an ideal world, your next retail unit would be in tip-top condition, ready for you to start selling your goods from day one. The reality can be much more frustrating for growing retailers that want to maintain their momentum and exposure with consumers. In fact, it’s very common for new tenants of retail properties to undertake fit out works...

You might not be aware that certain commercial properties have specific use classes, as determined by the Town and Country Planning Order 1987. This outlines what a specific premise may be legally used for. Planning permission is typically required from your local council’s Local Planning Authority (LPA) department if you wish to submit a ‘change of use’ application. Planning permissions...

If your dream of owning and running your own shop is nearing reality, you’ll no doubt be excited about the entrepreneurial journey ahead of you. Whoever said that setting up a new retail store is easy was lying. It takes a lot of hard work and logistical preparation to make the necessary impact and create your very own ‘niche’ in...

The first steps on the journey to opening a retail store are nerve-wracking and exciting times. It’s a lot of hard work, and there’s always an element of risk, but embarking on something new that has the potential to become a huge success is undeniably exhilarating. Whether you’re just toying with the idea of quitting the day job to start...