What would you do with a unit?

[glasgowdan]

I know it's frowned upon to ask for ideas, but I want to set up a secondary line of income as there is a unit for sale a couple of hundred yards away. Cost is iro £60k, and it seems secure and sturdy. I run my own business which would have nothing to do with this.

Do people feel there is a return in storage? Leasing to fabricators or mechanics? Office space? I think from memory the size is about 15m * 30m.

The other half is fed up of her job and would love to run a local business based in the village!

Happy to listen to any ideas!

 

[90DC]

It would really depend upon what I'd get planning consent for. I like the idea of soft play centres for children, but requires a fairly large outlay, stringent health and safety regulations, but I feel the rewards would be great, especially in my locality (Not alot around in Nottingham!)

The self storage idea sounds good, I've seen a number of these pop up, I think more and more people are turning to selling online as a secondary source of income and therefore need somewhere to store their goods.

Otherwise, what else would you and your other half be interested in doing? To make money doing anything, you preferably need to enjoy doing what you do, but I can't see too much of an issue in the ideas you've considered already, particularly storage, fabricators and mechanics, although there has to be a market for either of these ideas first of all.

I hope my idea acts as a further consideration and whatever you decide upon, go with it.

 

[Borobar]

gym's seem to be where the money is.
you can get most the kit on lease too

 

[vvaannmmaann]

Quote "I know it's frowned upon to ask for ideas" Not sure where you got that idea?

As to your question.What was the unit used for previously? Is there a 3 phase electric supply? Are you aware of any local business that are looking to expand?
Talk to your local commercial estate agents see if there is any demand for dry storage/lock ups ?
A farmer near me uses his redundant cow sheds for dry winter caravan storage.Both sheds are now full!

 

[GraemeL]

The self storage idea sounds good, I've seen a number of these pop up, I think more and more people are turning to selling online as a secondary source of income and therefore need somewhere to store their goods.

Yes I agree with 90DC. What is particularly attractive about this, is that it is pretty easy to undertake research about what competitors offer, pricing, how full they are, what services they give etc. But it would almost certainly need some additional capex.

G

 

[KM-Tiger]

Talk to your local commercial estate agents ...

That's the best advice.

They will know the state of your local commercial property market.

 

[90DC]

That's the best advice.

They will know the state of your local commercial property market.

Always had estate agents down as being clueless myself. However, it is a good point made, just don't take what they say as the gospel truth, use it as part of your research and to consider for or against an idea.

 

[glasgowdan]

Some superb advice here thanks. I can put around £15k into the business after paying for purchase so I'll have to do a bit of DIY to keep within that if going down a renovation route.

Going to arrange to view the place in a couple of weeks, not rushing as it's been up for sale for a while and I don't imagine it going right away.

If the numbers add up, that's the main thing!

 

[csswright]

That is a really good business opportunity. I am also eyeing a commercial space near my apartment and was thinking of having a convenience store there since there's a lot of apartments around my area. That's just my case though. You just need to survey your area and see which business has lesser competition and what kind of market you'll be dealing into as well.

 

[movehut]

I like the idea of soft play centres for children, but requires a fairly large outlay, stringent health and safety regulations

On a similar theme, but not as many health and safety regulations, how about using the commercial property for a doggy care centre?

People can drop their dogs off on the way to work, and you look after, play and walk their dog during the day?

 

[90DC]

On a similar theme, but not as many health and safety regulations, how about using the commercial property for a doggy care centre?

People can drop their dogs off on the way to work, and you look after, play and walk their dog during the day?

That sounds like something that would work really well in certain areas, but not so well in others. But if the OP had the vision to sell it correctly to the middle classes, they could well be onto a winner.

There is a stigma in certain parts about leaving doggy at home alone all day. Animal rights activists will salute this kind of business.