Ambitious commercial property consultancy Burley Browne is forecasting significant growth across the board – and particularly within its investment and land sales – as it continues to gain clients across the country.
The West Midlands-based business is confidently predicting further growth in 2025, recruiting more staff and expanding the towns and cities it operates in.
Joint managing director David Hemming said: “Land sales suitable for redevelopment or with planning and investment are areas where we expect to see a lot more growth this year. We are getting far more enquiries and instructions from landowners and investors and engaging with a wider range of developers across all sectors.”
Burley Browne recently agreed terms on the sale of a 1.51-acre development site earmarked for housing in Lichfield city centre on behalf of Lichfield District Council. The local authority invited offers from residential developers with a reputation for delivering high quality homes and schemes sympathetic to the local culture and heritage and in keeping with the gateway location.
David said: “The recent sale of land at Lichfield is a prime example of our ability in this sector, where we received a staggering amount of interest from developers across the UK and secured an excellent deal for the local authority. We will be launching further phases on behalf of Lichfield District Council this year for both housing and commercial uses and we have already received strong interest from a number of developers.”
New instructions reinforce the forecast with the marketing of a 1.5-acre former caravan and vehicle sales site at Canwell, Staffordshire, which having generated competing interest is now under offer together with instructions at Landywood Enterprise Park providing a total of 81,000 sq ft across 11 units of warehouse and office space situated within a self-contained site which extends to four acres.
In addition, Burley Browne has been appointed as sole agents on a new build development on Apollo at Lichfield Road Industrial Estate in Tamworth and consisting of 10 new warehouse units totaling 21,000 sq ft. Steels are up and the development is ready for occupiers in the summer.
“We are picking up larger instructions and expanding the geographical area we cover, with new instructions up and down the country. The future looks very exciting for everyone at Burley Browne,” he added.
Confidence and activity appears to be returning to the investment market following a rather subdued period, with some investors pausing, concerned over possible changes in the Budget and interest rate pressure receding, said David.
“Since the Budget, and with further clarity, we are certainly seeing a rise in activity and interest and, with a variety of new investment instructions coming to market, are encouraged about what 2025 has in store.”
Burley Browne’s industrial team completed a total of 51% more deals in 2024 than the previous 12-month period. Office transactions rose by around 20% on the previous year which reflects the transition of companies and their staff back to the office. The geographical area and size of office has also risen this year. Retail transactions have remained at similar levels to 2023.
David added: “We are seeing the range and quality of our instructions increase and we are gaining instructions as far away as York, Exeter, Oxford and Taunton, and closer to home in areas such as Telford, Bromsgrove Leamington Spa, and along the A38 and M42 Corridors.”
Recent highlights that demonstrate this renewed momentum include significant office lettings in Birmingham city centre and Solihull, as well as new office and retail instructions in Rugby and Harborne, where a multi-storey office building is being offered to let. This is echoed by their collaboration with a national consultancy in the search for MP constituency offices after the General Election and their ongoing work on behalf of the National Farmers Union across the country. Burley Browne was also awarded ‘Deal of the Year’ at the 60th Annual The Commercial Property Network awards alongside their joint agents, Vickery Holman on a retail disposal in instruction in Bristol.
