Today I have got a hugely exciting challenge…I have been given the opportunity to tenant a large town centre retail premises.
Now I have had my eye on this building for years, but the landlord (a big commercial owner based in London) had previously had the building with a big commercial agent and I know talks were ongoing with a potential client for the past year. But now things have changed, the talks have reached an impasse and the landlord needs help for his empty town centre building.
As a letting agent, I know my place in the pecking order. Gorgeous Homes are not big commercial players in the sector, and we’ve only been acting in the commercial sector for just over a year. However, in that year I feel we have proved ourselves and delivered results that show we will literally bend over backwards to get a commercial property tenanted.
I’m chuffed to say that our town now ranks among one of the highest in the country for attracting new businesses in – and given that we’re working in a tough economic climate that is quite an achievement!
The sense of satisfaction I feel bringing empty shops back into use is huge. I love the fact that we are bringing new businesses in who will grow the local economy and who may add jobs and services to our area. I adore that we are, in our own small way, playing our part to making the town, the local area and the community a better place to live and work.
Until now we have only had smaller shops to tenant – and we have loved it. And we have thrived on it.
And now we have our biggest commercial challenge yet – and it’s only come to us because of the small successes that we have shown we can achieve.
I have known for years who I have wanted to put in this building. They are a major blue chip company. Will they come? I don’t know.
What I do know is that this major building deserves and warrants a major blue chip tenant. If we get this right – the tenant will benefit massively – and we as the local town will get the “halo” effect.
Wish me luck in my new challenge. My town and this building need me to succeed in finding the right commercial tenant.
Cristina Westphal
Hi Sam.
I admire your energy and drive. It shows that landlords and estate agents can contribute to improving the community!!!
As long as long we can think bigger then only making profits!!!
Cristina