The chronic shortage in industrial units....Help!

[crosseyedlion]

Hi all

I started my own vehicle workshop back in November which has gone from strength to strength, however its future is already in jeopardy due to the fact that my unit is being knocked down!

Based in Newbury but reasonably flexible within a 40 mile radius, I can't find anything suitable to replace it! The only potential I've found will be just about within budget but a big stretch and around twice as big as it needs to be!

2 things:

a) Any help?

b) Why is there such a shortage? Should I pray for another recession?

[AyBee]

If it's going from strength to strength, is there anything you can do to make the bigger workshop work for you? Sub-let? Expand what you already have?

[crosseyedlion]

AyBee said:

If it's going from strength to strength, is there anything you can do to make the bigger workshop work for you? Sub-let? Expand what you already have?

Absolutely, but its an additional £1k a month in outgoings and wouldn't leave much contingency/stifle my ability to hire staff - I have a niggling worry that it could be way too much too soon.

Regarding the sub-letting, I'm time poor enough as it is, without the headache of tenants. I'm sure that could work well, but If I share with someone who doesn't have the same values as me (as far as workshops go) it could be damaging. I just want a smaller unit of my own really.

[edc]

Not sure what you are looking for exactly as you haven't listed any detail but a previous employer used to have a unit on Bilton Road Industrial Estate near Bracknell. I'm sure there are some vacant units. Also driving around Farnborough there seem to be quite a few too with neighbouring tyre depot/MOT station, garage service outfits within.

[Busterhighmen]

You could sublet to NCR for somewhere they can store their excess cars. Have a drive down Arnhem RD during they day and you'll understand. Bloody B****ds

Presume your business must be near the football club? Most the estate is getting demolished I heard.

[crosseyedlion]

Busterhighmen said:

You could sublet to NCR for somewhere they can store their excess cars. Have a drive down Arnhem RD during they day and you'll understand. Bloody B****ds

Presume your business must be near the football club? Most the estate is getting demolished I heard.

Sterling industrial estate near Sainsburys, have been given until May 1st to move.

Newbury will go from somewhere with plenty of industrial premises to none, its frustrating!

[madmover]

A)Build some
B)Think outside the box and look at alternatives like farm barns etc if suitable for what you need.
C)continue searching and hope

But yes - there's definitely a shortage of good units. I'm currently trying to purchase one to refurbish near my house. That, in itself, is proving to be a total PITA.

[nikaiyo2]

There is a small industrial estate at the bottom of the A34 in Winchester, where the chicken factory used to be, most of those have been empty from when they were built...

[Billsnemesis]

AyBee said:

If it's going from strength to strength, is there anything you can do to make the bigger workshop work for you? Sub-let? Expand what you already have?

Employ some people to run a car cleaning business in the rest of the space?

[crosseyedlion]

madmover said:

A)Build some
B)Think outside the box and look at alternatives like farm barns etc if suitable for what you need.
C)continue searching and hope

But yes - there's definitely a shortage of good units. I'm currently trying to purchase one to refurbish near my house. That, in itself, is proving to be a total PITA.

Thanks but:

A) I have no collateral and rent a room, it'd be impossible to get financing to purchase land and build.
B) Farms is a bit of a last resort being a garage with retail customers, cars getting dirty, coming & going etc...
C) Seems to be the current best option

[crosseyedlion]

nikaiyo2 said:

There is a small industrial estate at the bottom of the A34 in Winchester, where the chicken factory used to be, most of those have been empty from when they were built...

Thanks, ill look into that.

Winchester really isn't ideal given that I live in Maidenhead and have a customer base mostly up the A34 up to Oxford. I really really don't want to have to locate further south.

[crosseyedlion]

Billsnemesis said:

AyBee said:

If it's going from strength to strength, is there anything you can do to make the bigger workshop work for you? Sub-let? Expand what you already have?

Employ some people to run a car cleaning business in the rest of the space?

Although the space and location would suit me and my business perfectly, it wouldn't suit a car cleaning business (little outside space, surrounded by houses in a village location)