Bristol is the ideal conduit for investment cash flowing into the UK from China, according to commercial property specialists Colliers International.
Head of the Bristol office Tim Davies believes the city has all the attributes required to become a major player in the increasingly close trade partnerships being established with China.
The Broad Quay-based office has set up a new team to advise clients looking at business opportunities in Bristol’s twin city of Guangzhou and has joined Bristol China Partnership as it explores reciprocal business opportunities between the two cities within the commercial property sector.
Tim Davies said: “Establishing closer business connections in China or inviting Chinese investors to look at commercial property over here may require business people to operate well outside their comfort zones.
“Apart from the clear cultural differences we believe the sheer scale of the market and the amount of money we are talking about could actually put some people off .
“That’s why we are determined to adapt and extend our role providing the expertise and reassurance businesses require to operate with the same confidence in Guangzhou as they do in Gloucestershire.”
Tim said the firm’s global presence had already given Colliers International essential insights into overseas trade opportunities. He believes working more closely with agencies such as the Bristol China Partnership will further stimulate the rapidly developing market.
““Given the money being spent in central London such as Ping An’s investment in the iconic Lloyds of London building the UK is clearly being seen as a safe haven for financial investment.
“We believe Bristol is equally attractive and we will be taking account of the fact China has extensive funds to invest.”
He went on: “Bristol is an ideal location because of the quality environment, terrific logistics and location and its significant growth potential – all of which will appeal to the discerning Chinese investor.”
Tim said Bristol’s twin city is more than ten times bigger than its West Country counterpart and the commercial property sector there is equally vast.
“The sheer scale of commercial sector activity around Guangzhou is astonishing, more on a par with London than Bristol, Manchester and Birmingham put together! Figures assembled by our China office show that the Guangzhou area has close to three million square metres – or 31,475,385 sq feet – of Grade A office stock with a vacancy rate just above 24 per cent.
“Figures from the Bristol office for the same period last year show we had just 37,092 sq ft of Grade A availability.”
He went on: “With a predicted supply peak hitting 910,000 square metres Chinese investors remain cautious about their domestic sector. We are already seeing increasing numbers of businesses looking at property over here – whether it is an iconic city office building, a big shed in Avonmouth or a Bath hotel – and we recognise these numbers will continue to grow.”
Tim said Colliers International’s proven track record in Chinese markets made the Broad quay based firm the optimum partner in property marketing services.
He said: “Colliers International’s global clout gives us thorough market knowledge, a well-established network of property experts and a wealth of experience coordinating property marketing campaigns at home and abroad.
“We can provide budgeting, operational engineering, recruitment, operational management and tenancy relations services to ease day-to-day operations for business people operating away from home and can play a key role in opening up further trade links with Guangzhou.”
Dianne Francombe, Chief Executive Officer of Bristol China Partnership said: “There are an encouraging number of truly international firms in Bristol, like Colliers International, who are forging meaningful links with China that will benefit people in both countries.”
