industrial units

[rob1]

lots of demand round me for these from small one man bands

 

[Jon Feetham]

One of my customers has converted all the buildings on one of his farms to industrial units, says they make him more money with less hassle, always looks strange though seeing expensive machinery parked in a grass field next to the farm.

 

[Sir loin]

One of my customers has converted all the buildings on one of his farms to industrial units, says they make him more money with less hassle, always looks strange though seeing expensive machinery parked in a grass field next to the farm.

What are the types of business' that he has attracted office or light industrial?

 

[Jon Feetham]

What are the types of business' that he has attracted office or light industrial?

I think it's a mix of both, but not too sure as I have only been in the field with the machinery, never made it into the yard.

I would like to add that it is in the midlands, close to a large town with very good road links.

 

[Tonka]

http://www.springfarmbusinesscentre.com/

This one's close to Crewe - units always full!

 

[rob1]

What are the types of business' that he has attracted office or light industrial?

I have a lot of demand for small units for tradesmen to store tools etc about 15 x 20 containers era also good for this. Several peopke in this area rent then out for storage and cant seem to keep up with demand going rate anything from £ 50 to 80 a month. Better to have lots of small customers than one big one,

 

[BigPete]

Do these attract business rates, what are the security arrangements, access etc. We have an old grain store 40 feet x 105 feet, with a adjoining hay barn ,not quite as wide ,also we r close to M9 motorway . What's the downfalls ?

 

[rob1]

Do these attract business rates, what are the security arrangements, access etc. We have an old grain store 40 feet x 105 feet, with a adjoining hay barn ,not quite as wide ,also we r close to M9 motorway . What's the downfalls ?

Yes they will attract rates but subject to size there are reliefs for ex farm buildings up to a certain size, security depends on whats being stored, location etc. that is a fair size unit so in some ways may be harder to let than small ones, may be easier to use an agent to find a tenant. Downsides are few IMO, some dont like the idea of others on their property and not good if they dont pay the rent, thats why I like smaller units as if one doesnt pay its not such a loss, it is a good return on capital but repairs etc must be done and it helps if you are a people person

 

[Lawless]

Yes they will attract rates but subject to size there are reliefs for ex farm buildings up to a certain size, security depends on whats being stored, location etc. that is a fair size unit so in some ways may be harder to let than small ones, may be easier to use an agent to find a tenant. Downsides are few IMO, some dont like the idea of others on their property and not good if they dont pay the rent, thats why I like smaller units as if one doesnt pay its not such a loss, it is a good return on capital but repairs etc must be done and it helps if you are a people person

What reliefs are there for ex farm buildings?

 

[Lawless]

Rob1 do you have light industrial lets on your farm?
If so do you go for change of use or are they purpose built units.

 

[rob1]

Yes they are old dairy and poultry sheds that arent any use for modern farm use, we have change of use on them all, business rates reliefs are at 100 % at the moment, not sure if this is continuing into the next financial year as havent looked it up yet. If I remember correctly they were 50% of the rates payable for ex farm buildings up to a total of £6000 ratable value, as each tenants pays their own rates they need a fair building to get to that level and lose the relief, I would assume if you put up a new building then they dont qualify for the relief( could be wrong tho ) not sure how containers are treated as they arent buildings so maybe a charge for the space they are on

 

[Lawless]

I hope you don't mind me asking but what's your most popular building size? And do they have shared facilities or do they all have individual loos and kitchens?

 

[rob1]

have 4 ,15 by 20 ft and a 32 by70, 20 by 70 and a bigger one 90 by 60 which is used by a wood processing firm. one has his own loo the rest share, and a couple are storage only, they all live pretty local tho and tend to go to the local mc'd for food or home. dont find facilities are over important, price is, find out what the local industrial estates charge and be less

 

[Tinman Steels Ltd]

The farmer where we are based has started to rent out shipping containers to one man bands, can't seem to get enough in has 5 on order and I think each one has already been ear marked for tenants

 

[warksfarmer]

I hope you don't mind me asking but what's your most popular building size? And do they have shared facilities or do they all have individual loos and kitchens?

Building size required is linked to the sites location to conurbation which generates requirement - not sure that makes sense but I know what I mean

By far the most popular size for us is 800 sqft generating at least 2 enquiries per month. Other than that people seem to want smaller more 'lock up' type things at 100 sqft. Over 1500 sqft is very hard to shift but splitting a unit that size down to 2 x smaller ones is a costly exercise if your doing, roller doors, security personal doors, electric meters, various plugs for 240v and 3-phase, water, possibly toilets, fibre optic cable, internal secure walling (concrete/brick). You can easily spend 2 or 3 years rent doing the conversion.

 

[Lawless]

The farmer where we are based has started to rent out shipping containers to one man bands, can't seem to get enough in has 5 on order and I think each one has already been ear marked for tenants

It it a purpose built site with CCTV, or just stacking them around the farm buildings?
What's he charging?

 

[Tinman Steels Ltd]

No they are placed round the the units he has already has, but the new set he is waiting for have been ear marked to sit in the middle of the yard. I believe they are £150 per month or at least that is what I have been quoted as I want one for personal storage and a place to have a play with some projects the missus won't let me do at home . There isn't CCTV as such but there is CCTV on most of the main unit's which cover the site. Which is a pretty good set up as I fitted most of it as in another life I was a fully qualified electrician.

 

[nick channer]

It it a purpose built site with CCTV, or just stacking them around the farm buildings?
What's he charging?

£200 month here for 20ft container.

 

[Glass half full]

i only get £100/month for mine. the risk of getting bad payers is much higher with containers. i get 1 or 2 a year don't come back. i take any good stuff and skip the rest. i genuinely wondered if one old guy died and no-one knew he had a container!

ours are just lined round my car park, no cctv no security.

 

[Tinman Steels Ltd]

All of the containers do seem to get filled and I think all are still original people who rented them when the farmer got them in.