Any entrepreneurs out there?

[thesheriff]

Hi all,

Longshot posting this on here, but looking for premises for the Mrs' small business and no idea where to begin to look.

Looking for something very basic in Leith, Edinburgh, requirements being a sink, plenty electrical sockets and some storage space for shelving.

Anyone got any experience/advice on where to begin? Done some basic googling for commercial premises and not getting very far.

 

[Hobbit]

Go to several agents with your spec. They’ll come back to you with lists of available properties that should match your spec.

I did the same last year. It saved a mountain of time and grief.

 

[thesheriff]

Thanks! By agents, do you mean your normal letting agents you'd use for residential property?

 

[Lord Tyrion]

https://www.investinedinburgh.com/supporting-business/find-commercial-property/industrial-units/

The local council will have a business section which can point you in the right direction, I think the link above is for them.

I'd be tempted to get in the car and head to the area she wants to be in. Find some industrial estates and look at the boards that will be up. It sounds as though she only needs a small unit so these normally come in blocks. One landlord / company will own and lease units in that block. Get their number, check out the details online.

If she finds a unit she likes she should speak to another tenant to find out what they are paying. The landlord will try to charge her a higher rent. She can counter that by pointing out what existing tenants are paying. The other tenants should help on this as when their renewal comes up the landlord will provide evidence to justify any increase and they do that by showing what other tenants pay. Tenants should work together as best they can.

There will be lots of options, lots of landlords (who are companies, not dodgy individuals). I presume there is an Edinburgh paper. Is there a day where there is more emphasis on business? There is usually a day like that and then there will be adverts for units in there. You will start to see what companies offer them and once you get onto their websites you can look around.

Keep coming back with other questions.

 

[Hobbit]

Thanks! By agents, do you mean your normal letting agents you'd use for residential property?

A quick 20mins in the car going around the area you want will put you in front of several agent’s board. A quick photo with your phone then give them a ring.

Don’t discount looking at new units, and don’t agree to pay anywhere near the first figure they put in front of you.

If if it’s a new start up business don’t tie yourself into a long let unless you know the business will succeed, and if you know it will succeed does it have room for expansion.