Columnist

Bring on the Sheds!

by Darron Barker, Dunlop Heywood Newcastle

2015 was somewhat frustrating from my point of view with clients in acquisitive moods resulting in searches being despatched across the country, particularly in the Trade Counter sector.

The demand is clearly great news although the supply of existing stock and schemes close enough to completion in relevant areas to be considered, very disappointing.

With over 30 bona fide searches issued from Plymouth to the Shetland Islands, only a handful of transactions were completed. The way in which acquisitions progress these days has certainly changed post-recession.

Pre the collapse, clients were often far more open-minded as to exact location, position, size, rent, general terms and so on. Now, and rightly so, properties are being rejected for being on the wrong side of the street! This is quite correct for the acquiring company’s business although the searches are becoming more and more difficult to satisfy, particularly when considering the general lack of options and level of available stock.

The general feeling last year seemed to be positive in the industrial world and there were plenty of encouraging press releases in terms of take up of units of all sizes although I suspect we are still some way from sufficient speculative development to satisfy the demand.

The UK generally seems good at talking things down but I am banking on last year’s positivity to push through into 2016, turning into confidence and leading to more development, hopefully speculative, to satisfy those requirements that seem to be growing in number.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Dunlop Heywood .