We've all heard the stories. Lovely little tea shop serving a
great cuppa and cakes, with the friendliest service in town- closed
down within a year. Gift shop filled with perfect little treasures,
closed after just six months. Family run DIY shop which stocked all
the best tools of the trade,  gone after less than a year of
trading. Large chains and franchises can be a small business
holder's worst enemy, and if your customers can't find you, you're
almost certainly doomed to failure.

One of the most important decisions you'll ever make when
setting up a new business is finding the right premises. Maybe not
so much with non-customer facing environments like offices and
warehouses (although it's still an important factor) but when you
depend on a regular daily footfall, it's absolutely
essential.  Choosing where your shop is going to be based can
truly make or break your business, and there are a range of
important questions you'll need to ask yourself before you take the
plunge:

* What's the local area like? Often, if something seems too good
to be true, it is. You may have found the perfect shop facilities
wise, but if you don't already know the area take time to do your
research.  Talk to other local businesses and visit the area
at night. Gangs, vandalism and high crime rates are a big no-no
that will put your customers off visiting and may cost you
dearly.

* Who will my neighbours be? It's important to look into who else
is trading locally and whether their business is similar to yours.
Unless you're offering something amazing, you'll find it hard to
compete with a well-established business with a loyal following of
customers.

* How well are the other shop owners doing? Sometimes it pays to be
nosy. Make friends with local shop owners and ask them whether if
they had the chance to do it all again they'd still pick the same
location.

* Is it easy to find? Probably the biggest, most important
question. If your customers can't find you, you're in big trouble.
Choose somewhere with a regular footfall, clear signage and
preferably in a busy shopping area full of units that complement
what you do.

* What are the business rates like? Unfortunately thousands of
businesses go under every year because they can't afford to keep up
with the rates set by their local councils. Do your research
thoroughly and make sure the numbers add up before you commit.

* How long is the lease? If yours is a seasonal business, you won't
want to be tied in for years, likewise if you have long term plans
you'll need to know you're safe and secure.

* What's the parking like? Another biggie. If parking is a
nightmare, customers will choose somewhere easier to access.

* How high are the insurance costs? Many businesses find themselves
priced out of the market thanks to astronomical insurance fees. Do
your homework and don't get caught out!

* What are my responsibilities? Find out if you have to pay legal
costs to your vendors and read all the small print carefully.

* How easy is it for delivery drivers to unload? A great unit is
pointless if your merchandise can't be delivered.  Check the
size of the loading bay and parking area to be sure it means your
requirements.

As with most big decisions, choosing business premises requires
a great deal of thought and planning.  If you find a deal that
looks amazing, you might just have stumbled upon a goldmine- but
until you're sure, resist the urge to jump in with both feet! Don't
let unsuitable premises make you another statistic. Think, plan and
find the perfect place to make your business thrive.

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