How Do I Find A Small Factory Unit etc For Car Sales ?

How Do I Find A Small Factory Unit etc For Car Sales ?

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Discussion

redgriff500

Original Poster:

26,905 posts

264 months

Monday 18th February 2008
quotequote all
Just thinking about going back into car sales as the residential property market is a disaster at the minute.

Council are already moaning about my cars parked at home (as I have 7)

So I thought I'd have a quick look around to see how much it would cost to rent or buy a small yard, factory unit etc for around 10 cars (to start with)

This seems harder than I thought, tried Googling, tried looking at a few commercial agents sites, tried calling a few.

Total waste of time, so other than driving around looking for boards how do I get a few basic prices / options as I presume there are also 'planning use' considerations too ?

Cheers

AlexKP

16,484 posts

245 months

Monday 18th February 2008
quotequote all
Go to your local Business Link. Explain your requirements and they will find it for you.

MikeyT

16,573 posts

272 months

Monday 18th February 2008
quotequote all
How can the council moan? Are they parked on the road or private property? Fair enough of you're clogging the local layby but if they're all taxed and MoT's, what are they moaning about?

Mikey - just gone from five cars down to three in a fortnight so I feel your pain ...

Shandypants

950 posts

195 months

Monday 18th February 2008
quotequote all
Drive round a few industrial estates, youll be sure to find some empty units somewhere.

Tony*T3

20,911 posts

248 months

Monday 18th February 2008
quotequote all
I dont think car sales is exactly a road to riches at the moment either.


Chrisgr31

13,488 posts

256 months

Monday 18th February 2008
quotequote all
The issue for car sales will be the need for the correct planning consent, and the cirrect use within the lease.

The landlord of a standard industrial unit on an estate is unlikely to welcome you with open arms, as var sales tends to be a pain in the ares. There are a lot of slightly disreputable people involved who won't pay the rent, then theres the issue of cars parked everywhere, and all the traffic movements of people coming to see the cars.

So effectively you either need to find an existing site, which someone is seeking to dispose off, or find a new site and get all the consent yourself.

Car sales tends to be a specialised field and not something all commercial estate agents do, so which agents to try will depend on the area. However the alternative is to go into several local car sales sites and ask if they know of any. They may know someone who is looking to get out.

redgriff500

Original Poster:

26,905 posts

264 months

Monday 18th February 2008
quotequote all
Yes I know there's a few niggles... probably not helped by the fact I wouldn't mind doing servicing etc too.

Will try Bus. link hadn't thought of them.

Don't want to drive around yet as I just need some rough ideas on figures first.

Cheers for the replies.

BoRED S2upid

19,714 posts

241 months

Monday 18th February 2008
quotequote all
anonymous said:
[redacted]
Thats the way or Business Eye in Wales. They will do all the work for you and send you a list of available properties,, prices etc in your area.

redgriff500

Original Poster:

26,905 posts

264 months

Monday 18th February 2008
quotequote all
Just called local business link...

They don't do it.

Looks like I'll have to drive around...

Seems a bit old fashioned in this internet age.

Chrisgr31

13,488 posts

256 months

Monday 18th February 2008
quotequote all
Just driving around won't work particularly well either!

You need to find the right agent, or as I say word of mouth. Servicing of cars is even worse from the point of view of a landlord!

You need to look at old petrol forecourts. Anyway where are you looking?

redgriff500

Original Poster:

26,905 posts

264 months

Monday 18th February 2008
quotequote all
Chris, wasn't ignoring you but as you say find the right agent... easier said than done.

Looking in Solihull (West Mids) so not many scrappy bits around and I don't want to go into Birmingham.

I have a background in Residential Land buying so I know not to buy anything too contaminated.

Depending upon what it is and what price I would prefer buying long term but rental in short term is ok.

redgriff500

Original Poster:

26,905 posts

264 months

Monday 18th February 2008
quotequote all
Thanks but looking for something cheaper really.

Have found a current car showroom for 6 with 6 more on the forecourt for £1500 all in, but no workshop.

redgriff500

Original Poster:

26,905 posts

264 months

Monday 18th February 2008
quotequote all
Inc. rates but not elec etc.

I don't know, as I haven't got anything to compare it to...

Really wanted somewhere to work and could cope with a smaller unit as long as there is some parking too...

After looking around I may be back in touch but I saw a 1100m2 unit was for sale for £60k which may do the job.

stepej

425 posts

241 months

Tuesday 19th February 2008
quotequote all
Have you looked at the Solihull Council Property Brochure ?
Might not be any use but they do list commercial property in the area

redgriff500

Original Poster:

26,905 posts

264 months

Tuesday 19th February 2008
quotequote all
Totally unaware of that.

Thanks