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[Finance] Help with Business (and Premises) in Brighton?



Knocky's Nose

Mon nez est en Valenciennes..
May 7, 2017
4,133
Eastbourne
As it's quiet on here, I'll ask some advice and opinions from the good people on here who all seem to be sagely and wise when it comes to the Brighton area.

It's almost in the bag that I'll be taking a franchise for the Brighton Area (my territory will be BN1, BN2, BN3, BN41, BN42). It's a business where you get around 5% 'walk in' and the other 95% of it is dealing directly with businesses and individuals..

The master franchisee was hell-bent on something slap bang in the middle of Brighton Centre. The premises needs to be about 2,000 sq/ft with large access doors or roller shutter and the target rent is £20k p/a. I laughed when he suggested the town centre and explained that Brighton rents pretty much lock horns with London in many cases. He now realises his mistake, and will listen to suggestions..

The ideal premises would be in a busy area with lots of passing traffic or footfall for brand awareness purposes, or even on a small industrial estate next to a main road. Decent access both in and out of Brighton would be handy as we'd have 1-2 vans out and about collecting goods.

Any suggestions?

My second question is.. is it worth joining any trade bodies in Brighton to make contacts, or is it just a load of berks talking bollocks and doing some mutual back slapping over lunch once a month? I've always avoided these, but being new to the Brighton business scene I'm not sure what the 'vibe' is. I can say that in Eastbourne there's very much a small-town mentality, you'll only do well if you're cheap, if the price is low enough - poor service will be accepted, and the council will always do feck all to help you.

So, there we go. In a nutshell - "What's the best area for value for money in or around Brighton that's not a dump, and would you hob-nob in Business Circles or just crack on yourself with your own marketing, making your own contacts?"

Thanks, and I will readily accept sarcasm, attempts at wit and humour, plus valid opinions and advice in equal measure. :hilton:
 


Chicken Run

Member Since Jul 2003
NSC Patreon
Jul 17, 2003
18,278
Valley of Hangleton
Go and have a chat with James Ross Jeweller, he’s part of a business group, big Albion fan, he operates out of Station Road Portslade, really into small business helping each other.
 


WATFORD zero

Well-known member
NSC Patreon
Jul 10, 2003
25,675
If your business is 95% direct and only 5% walk-in, I would tend to look around the outskirts of Brighton with good access to the bypass to cover the areas you want. They type of premises you seem to be looking for, I wouldn't think it would be in prime position for footfall or brand awareness (main shopping streets) even if you are in the centre of town.

Would the extra cost and traffic problems (getting across Brighton in rush-hour ?) of being in the centre of town really be worthwhile for 5% of your business. Obviously you are best placed to answer, but Good Luck with your venture :thumbsup:
 




Knocky's Nose

Mon nez est en Valenciennes..
May 7, 2017
4,133
Eastbourne
Would the extra cost and traffic problems (getting across Brighton in rush-hour ?) of being in the centre of town really be worthwhile for 5% of your business. Obviously you are best placed to answer, but Good Luck with your venture :thumbsup:

Thank You! It will be a success. I will make it so. :)

The decision has been made that the premises will not be in the town centre, so my question is where do you think it should be - taking into account access in and out of BN1, BN2, BN3 etc would be handy.

I looked at Lewes (crazy rents), Kemptown (not great access) and Hove (no suitable premises, and crazy rents). Are there any hidden gems out there where rents are low but access is decent?
 




Knocky's Nose

Mon nez est en Valenciennes..
May 7, 2017
4,133
Eastbourne
What is the business?

Specialist packing and shipping services. Fine Art, Large and Valuable items, corporate relocation services etc. They already work with Sotheby's, Christies and Bonhams - and also work with Microsoft, McLaren, and even Foreign Governments to name a few..

I intend to hit the industrial element of the business initially. There's a lot of production and engineering on the South Coast, and these will be the big jobs which earn the money. I will also target Art Dealers and Auction Houses.
 


Chicken Run

Member Since Jul 2003
NSC Patreon
Jul 17, 2003
18,278
Valley of Hangleton
Thank You! It will be a success. I will make it so. :)

The decision has been made that the premises will not be in the town centre, so my question is where do you think it should be - taking into account access in and out of BN1, BN2, BN3 etc would be handy.

I looked at Lewes (crazy rents), Kemptown (not great access) and Hove (no suitable premises, and crazy rents). Are there any hidden gems out there where rents are low but access is decent?

Station Road Portslade?
 
















WATFORD zero

Well-known member
NSC Patreon
Jul 10, 2003
25,675
Hollingbury Industrial estate, Woodingdean Industrial Estate or 10-15 mins out of town there is a big estate at Burgess Hill which may be significantly cheaper ?
 


Knocky's Nose

Mon nez est en Valenciennes..
May 7, 2017
4,133
Eastbourne
Hollingbury Industrial estate, Woodingdean Industrial Estate or 10-15 mins out of town there is a big estate at Burgess Hill which may be significantly cheaper ?

Burgess Hill is 'out of territory' sadly, so I can't be based there... :(

It will have to be within these boundaries...

area.jpeg
 










Knocky's Nose

Mon nez est en Valenciennes..
May 7, 2017
4,133
Eastbourne
It's about the same as Lewes to get into centre of Brighton. (Just realised, maybe requirement of franchise :thumbsup:)

It's a bit foggy on location really.. They've realised it's not going to smack bang in Brighton Centre, but the business will be known as "(Business Name) - Brighton" so I can't be too far away. I wanted to be based in Eastbourne where I live, but the reply was "well, you can then be "(Business Name) - Eastbourne and turn over less than half the amount - for the same franchise fee..."
 




StillHateBellotti

Active member
Jun 17, 2011
861
Eastbourne
An ex football colleague of mine had a unit, now two up in Hollingbury due to rapid growth, he has a showroom also on site and an office. Seem to work for him and is close to A27. Not sure on rent though? always a killer in this area. I previously with a few business ideas, registered with the council for ex premises, shops, building and anything they would take a rent for.

If in the future you are looking for a general manager or such like, I can send over my CV, 14 years in the services and just completed an International Business Management Degree! Nothing like selling yourself or high jacking a thread lol.

But all in all good luck and nothing better than having your own business. Like others have said the Albion Business Thingy group and also business link, if they are still around.
 


marlowe

Well-known member
Dec 13, 2015
3,898
Although Boundary Road/Station Road, Portslade is considerably cheaper than Brighton / Central Hove I don't think the business premises in that road would be suitable for your business as you would require frequent vehicle access and there are too many restrictions.
However in that same area in Portslade /Southwick there are quite a number of small industrial estates and industrial units with good vehicle access which I think would be more suitable.
The following three are just an example and there are others in that area between Portslade and Southwick either on the seafront or just off it, down Victoria Road, North Street etc. But try the following for starters
Chapel Road BN41 1PF
North Street BN41 1DH
Victoria Road BN41 1QX
 



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