Your guide to commercial property | Guides

Commercial properties are split into five categories: retail, industrial, office, leisure and healthcare. Due to them having very different purposes, the right location for one is unlikely to be the same for the other.

Scotland is the UK’s most northerly territory and is a country in its own right that makes up the northern third of Great Britain’s main island. Though it became part of the UK in the early 18th century, Scotland has many distinct laws to the rest of the country and has its own parliament and government. Around 5.4 million people live in Scotland.

The cost of renting or buying retail space in the UK varies from city to city. As you might imagine, setting up shop in London will cost considerably more than in other areas, so it’s important you can justify the extra expense. When you look for average costs, most companies will advertise their spaces with a price per square foot or square metre. This means you can easily compare the cost of all your options to find the best deal for you.

Category C properties are a great opportunity for investors – as long as they are open to risk. They tend to be over 20 years old and located in unpopular areas, so there is plenty of room for improvement and growth. But to understand the benefits of a category C property, it is important to understand how the system works, first and foremost.

Cardiff is both the capital of Wales and its largest city, hosting the country’s National Assembly and most of its national cultural institutions. A hive of commercial activity, Cardiff accounts for around 20% of Wales’ GDP, which in 2007 was around £9 billion.

Fulham is an area in west London that makes up part of the Fulham and Hammersmith London borough.

Everything you need to know about renting commercial property in North England

Wales is best known for its cosmopolitan capital Cardiff and historic copper-smelting centre Swansea, but it’s also home to a stunning coastline and three national parks that are ripe for exploration.

Everything you need to know about renting commercial property in South West England. The South West attracts a lot of businesses, as it has good transport links to London but lower property prices than the capital.

The West Country might be better known for its rolling fields, endless varieties of cider and its stunning coastlines, but it’s also a buzzing business destination. From the media offices of Bristol to the spacious industrial units of Swindon to the leisure properties of Barnstaple, businesses of all varieties flourish in the West Country.

South East England is known for its beautiful green hills, vibrant coastal towns and educational institutions. It has the UK’s second largest regional economy following London and is quickly becoming one of the country’s leading areas in the technology industry, particularly around the M3 in Surrey, M4 corridor in Berkshire and its county town Reading.

Whether you're a shiny new commercial property investor or a seasoned pro, you want to do your due diligence before moving forward with an investment. Some of the questions you may have might be about the property's condition, its current cash flow and value, and the potential income.

Signing a lease on a new office is a major milestone. Perhaps you've found a space that you hope will be your company's home for many years. Or, you may be expanding into new cities and opening regional offices – either way, it's a cause for celebration. Michael Hershfield of WeWork explains the importance of understanding both the short and long-term expenses.

You’ve found the ideal office space – it’s in the perfect location, has ideal facilities and is exactly the right size for your business. Now, all you need to do is turn it from a blank canvas into a welcoming office. So, the office fit out process begins.

Getting the inside track on the planning process can help you turn undeveloped land into a high value investment. Investing in and developing land can be one of the riskiest yet most rewarding endeavours in the commercial property space. If you get it right, land is one of the most lucrative commodities to be in.

Every piece of land differs, and real-estate transactions will vary based on different locations, property uses and individual buyer and seller circumstances. Here’s a checklist of six really useful questions to ask a seller or land agent that will help paint a clear picture.

The professional appeal of having a London address outweighs the many constraints like high cost and lack of space associated with the city. In addition to the general things you need to consider before renting office space anywhere, there are a number of things to consider when renting an office in London specifically.

Before you take that next big step and invest in any leisure property – whether it’s a pub, restaurant, gym or concert hall – take a breath. There are a few searching questions that need to be asked before you buy.

Whether you’re after a restaurant, pub, gym or hotel, when it comes to renting commercial leisure property, it’s advisable to familiarise yourself with as much knowledge as possible before sealing the deal.

However exciting an office move is for your business, it can also be incredibly overwhelming and stressful.That’s why we’ve put together this simple ten-step guide on things to consider when moving office - so that you can kick back and relax while the difficult planning work is done for you.

Looking for a new office space is never easy. Deciding whether you need a bigger space, a furnished space, a serviced office or a traditional lease is always going to be a challenge. Luckily for you, we’ve listed the benefits of serviced offices and traditional leases to help you make up your mind.

If you’re looking to move office, the commercial lease jargon can feel overwhelming and confusing. For example, what on earth is the difference between a percentage lease and a triple net lease? However, it’s important that you have a good understanding of the different types of lease so you know exactly what you’re signing up for.

Securing your business a base of operations takes a lot of time and effort. Whether you are moving to a bigger space to facilitate growth or you are finally moving out of your home office, there is a long checklist to work through. So, after scouting out the right area, researching the local area and looking at what exactly you need from a commercial property, you are ready to start putting some offers on the table.

When most people think about investment property, they usually visualise commercial buildings or multi-unit rental properties – an investment that's already built. However, buying land can be an attractive investment, especially where there’s the possibility to develop property on the site or otherwise improve it to increase its value.

You've found the ideal location for your new office space, but now what? Do you rent the space or buy it? Both decisions will entail a substantial financial commitment, but which is the right choice for your business?