This week Capital Enterprise got the go ahead from the Mayor of London’s office at the GLA to commission and launch London first on-line clearing house for landlords and agents willing to rent empty property on “very favourable terms” to new and new to London businesses. Capital Enterprise has got the Mayors office to agree to market and promote the service and a major private sector Landlord- Workspace PLC-to build and manage the site for free.
The website is set to be launched by the Mayor at the end of January 2010, and due to the support of the British Property Federation, London Councils and TFL, we expect to list over 400 retail, office and industrial properties on the site each month. Every property listed on site will be small ( under 1500 sqft), available for immediate rent and be offered with extensive rent free period or a heavy discount on the rent. The level of the “inducement” offered on each property listed will be down to the landlord but the property will be only listed on the site for a very short time and so the Landlord will need to make their offer very attractive to ensure a “quick sale”. There will also be a special listing for “Pop-Up” shops and property available for short periods of time for nominal rent.
Everyone who registers on the site will be refered to a participating Capital Enterprise member for a relevant support service ( legal, financial etc). The new site will generate new leads and promotional opportunities for Capital Enterprise members to offer their services to new and new to London businesses. Capital Enterprise also hopes to use the high profile nature of the website to obtain private sector sponsorship for an off-line property/business advice service.
There is much to do between now and January including finding a memorable name and URL for the website. Any assistance and help from members would be much appreciated.
