Commercial property investment event proves a big success for Halls

Award winning, Shrewsbury-based Halls Commercial hosted a successful, exclusive closed-door commercial property investment event recently.

In partnership with Barclays Private Banking, Dyke Yaxley, CoStar and Shropshire Business, the company welcomed commercial property investors, professional partners and development companies to its Battlefield headquarters to explore the current market and future of commercial real estate.

The event focused on maximising returns from commercial property, specifically growth, tax efficiencies and funding advice.

Discussions ranged from capital funding for commercial property investment to insights on portfolio investment strategies and macro market trends. Experts gave the audience a comprehensive insight of where the commercial property market is heading.

James Evans, head of commercial property at Halls, stressed the importance of staying adaptable in the market, alongside the capital gain opportunities and rental returns of matching the right investment with the right client.

“The commercial property sector is at a pivotal moment, where innovation, sustainability and adaptability are key drivers of success,” he said. “It’s crucial for industry leaders to engage in these discussions and form strategic partnerships, like the ones we’ve seen today.”

Julien Lafargue, chief market strategist at Barclays Private Bank, spoke about UK and global economic outlook. Opportunities included the potential for lower interest rates, improved productivity and the importance of clear communication about debt sustainability.

He stressed that the market remains active and funding strategies are evolving, with increasing opportunities for banking providers.

“Opportunities for cash buyers are plenty right now,” he said, noting that those with liquidity held the advantage. His emphasis was on projects where investors can enhance an asset’s value through strategic development or improvements.

He noted a rising loan-to-cost ratio for new construction projects which, he said, may indicate growing optimism despite the broader market uncertainty.

Director Mark Bramall and Sarah Crane from Dyke Yaxley spoke about the tax considerations of property ownership. They detailed how rental income, financing and property sales are taxed differently for individuals and companies, emphasising the importance of planning around reliefs, allowances and extraction of profits.

Investors choosing to invest through a company structure have more flexibility, particularly in leveraging debt to boost returns, they said.

“You can make debt go further and see long-term gains through more strategic investments,” added Mr Bramall. “We see less single buy-to-let and more portfolio long-term investments.”

CoStar’s commercial market analyst, Giles Tebbitts, addressed data driven trends and insights across the UK and West Midlands commercial property markets. The company provides access to crucial property market data, including lease and sales comparables.

“It’s all about building an analytical chart and then dissecting the information to make informed decisions,” said Mr Tebbittts.

However, Mr Evans added: “Data has its place but so does gut reaction. As a valuer, I’m constantly tracking trends and interacting with the market. My role is to be ahead of the curve and advise on what I believe is happening, even before the data fully catches up.”

Carl Jones, Shropshire Business magazine editor, led a lively panel discussion to close the information-packed evening.
Halls Commercial can be contacted via commercialmarketing@hallsgb.com or Tel: 01743 450 700.

Picture: Speakers at the successful commercial property event hosted by Halls Commercial on Shrewsbury.