Creating a trade counter in a warehouse

[ModernAndy]

I'm considering getting a warehouse later on in the year and building a trade counter area in it. This is a new area for me as I've only done office based businesses so far. My question is; do we need any sort of permission to retail from a warehouse (like retail shops have specific 'uses')?

[mad4amanda]

Funnily enough you need "trade counter " planning permission rather than full retail .

[soxboy]

How much of it will be retail?

Who will you be retailing to, trade or public?

[ModernAndy]

soxboy said:

How much of it will be retail?

Who will you be retailing to, trade or public?

Probably about 300-450 sq ft out of 2,750-3,500 sq ft.

Trade and public (hardware supplies)

[Googie]

On the basis that your primary user is B8( storage or distribution) I would argue that the trade counter use in an ancillary use and is covered under the B8. In addition to planning you need to make sure that the user clause in the lease does not preclude a trade counter use

[ModernAndy]

Googie said:

On the basis that your primary user is B8( storage or distribution) I would argue that the trade counter use in an ancillary use and is covered under the B8. In addition to planning you need to make sure that the user clause in the lease does not preclude a trade counter use

Thanks for that, I'll have a look into the legalities of B8 premises

[ModernAndy]

Googie said:

On the basis that your primary user is B8( storage or distribution) I would argue that the trade counter use in an ancillary use and is covered under the B8. In addition to planning you need to make sure that the user clause in the lease does not preclude a trade counter use

So am I right in thinking that if we get a B8 class warehouse we can put in a trade counter without needing to do anything apart from build it? (I do mean something like in the fork handles sketch by the two ronnies rather than a proper shop with loads of displays, etc.)

[Googie]

In my view yes-if in any doubt speak with the duty officer at the local planners. This all assumes that you have a valid B8 user at present with no planning conditions preventing trade counter etc. Not sure if you own or lease the warehouse but if the latter check the user clause in the lease to make sure that there are no restrictions on what the premises can be used for-the lease is contractual and separate to planning which stands on its own.

[ModernAndy]

Googie said:

In my view yes-if in any doubt speak with the duty officer at the local planners. This all assumes that you have a valid B8 user at present with no planning conditions preventing trade counter etc. Not sure if you own or lease the warehouse but if the latter check the user clause in the lease to make sure that there are no restrictions on what the premises can be used for-the lease is contractual and separate to planning which stands on its own.

Thanks. I'm currently looking for the warehouse for some time in the summer so will keep those things in mind. You've been most helpful.

[soxboy]

I've done a fair amount of work as a surveyor for trade counter operators and it's a very grey area. Each local authority has their own opinions on the matter.

If I were doing it I'd just crack on and not be too concerned about any consents for it, provided that the majority of your work is trade and any public 'only popped by and it was rude to turn them away sir'.

[ModernAndy]

soxboy said:

I've done a fair amount of work as a surveyor for trade counter operators and it's a very grey area. Each local authority has their own opinions on the matter.

If I were doing it I'd just crack on and not be too concerned about any consents for it, provided that the majority of your work is trade and any public 'only popped by and it was rude to turn them away sir'.

To be honest, the only reason I'm after a trade counter is there are some suppliers I'd like accounts with who prefer dealing with bricks and mortar businesses. The vast majority of our business as a percentage would still be online.

[spikeyhead]

I've stood at a trade counter before and been told that they wouldn't sell an item to me for cash unless I had a trade account as the council forbid any retail sales.