How do you find industrial/warehouse tenants?

[Scotiacommercial]

Hi,

We've got various industrial sheds in Forfar, Angus that we inherited during a company merger a few years ago. With the current economic 'dip' a lot of the tenants have gone out of business and we're left with large vacant warehouses and yard space. We've advertised these through agents and we've tried cold calling people ourselves but to no avail. Any advice people may have on novel ways to attract tenants, long or short term would be much appreciated.

For info, the sheds range from 4000sqft to 22000sqft!

If anyone actually happens to need space then please feel free to PM me.

Thanks

Alastair

 

[dynamic08]

Your asking to much money its as simple as that. Things will rent at the right price.

 

[Scotiacommercial]

That's just the thing, we really aren't. We're asking about £1.50 per sqft, but would take £1/per sqft at this rate. So I don't think its price, especially compared to other offerings around.

 

[vvaannmmaann]

Convert to Self Storage units? They seem quite popular.

 

[KateCB]

Make them into smaller units - I have just sold a 3000sqft as it was too big, and for startups its a horrendous amount - many startups looks for 1000sqft to 1500 and move up if all goes well - easy in esy out (1 month terms) seems to attract albeit a high turnover, at least a steady income...?

 

[CabinLIving]

I'd suggest partitioning into smaller units suitable for start ups, I think there is news of zero rates for start ups too which you could promote according to the fsb chap I spoke to yesterday.

 

[ob1]

bloody hell 1 quid a sqft i wish i was in scotland...or your units were in manchester

 

[internetspaceships]

bloody hell 1 quid a sqft i wish i was in scotland...or your units were in manchester

Haha I was just thinking the same mate

 

[TotallySport]

No boby wants sheds, they are simply insecure, in some way, hsape or form, the tennant will want to put something in it ant want it to be there when they come back, and I haven't see one shed type unit I would want to store my rubbish in let alone my stock.

I would prefer to pay £10 perSqFt and no have to worry than pay £1.50 per sq ft and use my insurance every month.

Ask yourself who would use it, then market them towards them, but I cannot think of any business, or change them to suit the market, industrial secure units with a guard are very popular.

 

[KateCB]

I don't see where the OP said they were either insecure or sheds?

Surely if they have been used as warehousing there will be a level of security?

I wish they were closer to me too, I could do with 1000sqft storage for 6 months at a reasonable rate!

 

[TotallySport]

I don't see where the OP said they were either insecure or sheds?

Surely if they have been used as warehousing there will be a level of security?

I wish they were closer to me too, I could do with 1000sqft storage for 6 months at a reasonable rate!

The first line in the OP's statement:

We've got various industrial sheds in Forfar

 

[SamStones]

The first line in the OP's statement:

We've got various industrial sheds in Forfar

The term "sheds" is rather loosely used in business, and I suspect that this is the case here...

In my industry "the big sheds" refers to the likes of B&Q, Homebase etc etc. It's basically just referring to large industrial units, rather than where you store your lawn mower.

I would be very surprised if they are either made of wood or contain a lawnmower

 

[Duke Fame]

The term "sheds" is rather loosely used in business, and I suspect that this is the case here...

In my industry "the big sheds" refers to the likes of B&Q, Homebase etc etc. It's basically just referring to large industrial units, rather than where you store your lawn mower.

I would be very surprised if they are either made of wood or contain a lawnmower

Even in B&Q?

The obvious answer here is self storage, warehousing is 10 a penny (even in Manchester)

 

[Storage Prices]

If you would like any information or advice on the self storage market/industry feel free to PM me - we work closely with storage companies across the UK and can help you determine the level of demand for this sort of service in your local area.

 

[TotallySport]

The term "sheds" is rather loosely used in business, and I suspect that this is the case here...

In my industry "the big sheds" refers to the likes of B&Q, Homebase etc etc. It's basically just referring to large industrial units, rather than where you store your lawn mower.

I would be very surprised if they are either made of wood or contain a lawnmower

Sheds in terms are industrial units are exactly like the B&Q type, they are not the same as a none shed industrial unit, and its worth knowing the difference when you start looking, becuase sheds are general much cheaper, but cheaper for a reason.