SMEs and start-ups flocking to ‘highly sought after’ locations on Edinburgh’s fringes
“Faced with rising business costs companies are securing flexible leases to ensure they are nimble” – Iain Mercer, Allied Surveyors Scotland
Several key locations on the outskirts of Edinburgh are experiencing a surge in demand for business space, property experts have said.
The observation came as Allied Surveyors Scotland’s Edinburgh commercial department said it had completed nearly 25,000 square feet of lettings for private landlords across 20 deals.
The firm noted that its largest single transaction occurred in Bathgate at the turn of the year with Sandcastle Softplay snapping up 12,500 sq ft in a former nightclub on the town’s Whitburn Road.
In Leith, Xi Engineering Consultants has secured a 2,000 sq ft warehouse at Sandport Place while at 3 Queen Charlotte Lane, Edinburgh Cashmere has taken on a 1,400 sq ft office.
The property firm noted that the bulk of the recent transactions had occurred in East Lothian and Midlothian with business centres and smaller office spaces in general continuing to be “highly sought after” by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and start-ups.
Iain Mercer, Allied Surveyors Scotland’s head of commercial agency, Scotland, said: “The surge in demand for business space in locations periphery to Edinburgh city centre is a trend we have continued to see develop over some time now.
“Faced with rising business costs companies are securing flexible leases to ensure they are nimble whilst we’re seeing the necessity for larger office space dwindle.
“Well-located business centres offering all-inclusive rental deals, car parking and attractive tenant facilities are continuing to perform well and attract occupiers,” he added.
In other deals brokered by the firm, renewable energy firm Gensource has relocated its head office and taken 1,200 sq ft at Newhailes Business Park in Musselburgh, while Forza Academy, a martial arts gym, has taken 2,100 sq ft at nearby Harbour Point.
In Midlothian, the Dalkeith branch of Citizens Advice Bureau has taken a five-year lease on 1,100 sq ft of first floor space at 29 Elmfield Court from the Scottish Children’s Reporter Administration. At Vineyard Business Centre near Pathhead, Sports Medi UK Ltd has taken 678 sq ft on a three-year lease.
In East Lothian, lettings have been completed at Merryfield Business Centre in Macmerry, Court Street in Haddington and Eskside West in Musselburgh.
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