Workshop space for rent in London (W, SW NW)?
Workshop space for rent in London (W, SW NW)?
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Discussion

ThomasM88

Original Poster:

12 posts

56 months

Friday 15th January 2021
quotequote all
Hi all - I've been actively trying to find a workshop space to rent/lease in the outer London area - is anyone aware of someone with available space - perhaps a light industrial warehouse, garage space, or an existing mechanic/auto shop that has spare space available?

I'll be primarily using this space for light restoration of my car/truck. Access to tools/lift would be a bonus, but I can arrange all my own tools. Ideally this is a space I could lease on an annual basis.

Again, ideal (for me at least) is something in the West, Southwest, Northwest outer areas of the city.

Appreciate any help or references!

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On any entirely separate, but related, note - IF this is something that's not readily available and there is broader interest in an space like this - I wonder if there are enough people that could justify combining forces and leasing a space? Is this a gap in the market that we could address (at least for ourselves)? I think that if 8-10 people could come together and combine finances - we could establish a really great space and finally have a place to go in the city to work on (and store) our vehicles.

Thanks!

tom_mar

8 posts

226 months

Friday 15th January 2021
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I could be interested in this idea, based in Twickenham.

ThomasM88

Original Poster:

12 posts

56 months

Saturday 16th January 2021
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Thanks @tom_mar - appreciate you chiming in.

What are your thoughts on a reasonable annual fee for a space large enough to work on a vehicle (assuming you are bringing your own tools, etc)? My current thinking is we'd need somewhere around 10 people at around £6k-7.5k a year....

tom_mar

8 posts

226 months

Monday 18th January 2021
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That amount sounds reasonable for sure, a single council garage around me is about £140 a month.
The tricky bit I reckon is how do you set up the lease and agreements with everyone, what if you get a few people want to leave in a short space of time?
I guess if you had plenty of people interested and a waiting list that would not be a problem.

ThomasM88

Original Poster:

12 posts

56 months

Monday 18th January 2021
quotequote all
Yes, agreed - it would require some thought and certainly some vetting to ensure those that join (maybe up to 10 people) are trustworthy enough to keep it going. I'd assume someone like me would run it personally and arrange a few fundamental terms, such as:

- 50% deposit up front
- acceptance of general terms of use, rules
- accept some logical ground rules for throwing someone out if they break rules
- agree to a notice period of say, 3 months
- etc

I'm seeing places around 50-70k that would work. Large and nice enough to give people breathing room and set up their own workspace/bay area. Security, cctv, and all that.

That probably puts us somewhere around 7500k per person, annually, to make it work, give or take.

It's a strange time (in other ways it's a great time) to start something like this - but there really aren't many other options. Any thoughts on the best way to generate REAL interest and move things forward?

cheers

mareksr

5 posts

66 months

Saturday 23rd January 2021
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I'm interested. This depends of finding a suitable site and then sizing the syndicate partner group accordingly? Have been trying to do this for over a year. It seems to me that we need to become a determined group that combines forces and drives this project to a successful outcome. Let's introduce ourselves and see what happens....

Zoom time?

Rgds
Mark S-R (SW London)
ms282@exeter.ac.uk

spence1886

85 posts

94 months

Saturday 23rd January 2021
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In the interim, I have used http://www.pitstartgarage.com/index.html before for ad-hoc jobs when I need a ramp. They rent hourly, but they also do longer term rentals as there are a few "businesses" established and based there. It's on an industrial estate in Acton, NW10 6EU.

It is the same building as the photo, and the interior is the same, but it has aged and is a huge mess! They have tools, but I would take your own.

ThomasM88

Original Poster:

12 posts

56 months

Saturday 23rd January 2021
quotequote all
Yes, agreed @mareksr

I'm Thomas and my Whatsapp is +44 07311090690

Chime in here and I can get one going.

btw I've checked out PitsGarage and heard from trusted friends it wasn't great and had poor reviews. In any case, for me (and TBD others) are primarily looking for is long term space in a clean, trusted and secure environment - something to settle into, etc.

Keep the messages coming if you're interested!

The Moose

23,429 posts

226 months

Sunday 24th January 2021
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spence1886 said:
In the interim, I have used http://www.pitstartgarage.com/index.html before for ad-hoc jobs when I need a ramp. They rent hourly, but they also do longer term rentals as there are a few "businesses" established and based there. It's on an industrial estate in Acton, NW10 6EU.

It is the same building as the photo, and the interior is the same, but it has aged and is a huge mess! They have tools, but I would take your own.
Man I used that place years back. It was a heck of state then!!