| Your customers, staff and suppliers |
| Is your location convenient for them? |
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| If location on a particular side of the street is important, is the proposed premises on the preferred side? |
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| Is your location visible and accessible to foot traffic? Approximately how many people pass your location daily? |
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| Is your location visible and accessible to vehicle traffic? Approximately how many vehicles pass your location daily? |
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| Are car parking facilities accessible and adequate? How many customer and staff parking bays are there? |
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| Is there on-street parking? |
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| How far is the site to your suppliers? |
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| Will your staff be comfortable and motivated to work at the site? |
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| Neighbourhood |
| What is the character/reputation of the neighbourhood (consider crime rates)? |
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| Are neighbouring businesses suitable and do they appear healthy? |
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| Are complementary businesses close by? |
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| Are there any vacant premises? Why? For how long? Have similar businesses failed/succeeded in this location? |
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| Are there any major changes/developments/works contemplated in the area? |
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| Are there any restrictions on signage in the area? |
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| Premises condition/maintenance |
| Does the site project the right image about your business (e.g. appearance)? |
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| What is the condition of the premises (e.g. fixtures, fittings, plant and equipment)? |
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| What age are they? How long will maintenance take? What is the likelihood of major repairs being required? |
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| Are there adequate utilities (e.g. sewerage, water, power, gas)? |
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| Can you contact previous tenants or owners to determine the history of the site? Have any disadvantages become apparent? |
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| Are storage facilities adequate? |
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| Transport |
| Is public transport available? Is it an important issue? |
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| Will the cost of shipment of goods to and from the site be a major factor? |
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| Is there site access for deliveries? |
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| Financial |
| Can you afford the premises? Have you assessed alternatives? |
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| Are the terms of the lease on offer suitable? |
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| What outgoings will you be responsible for? |
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| What amount of security deposit or bank guarantee is required? |
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| What insurance(s) will you need? |
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| Do you need to give your landlord a rental bond or bank guarantee? |
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| What happens if you breach the terms of the lease? |
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| If you are a company, do you understand fully what providing directors’ guarantees means? |
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| Future |
| Do the premises offer scope for expansion? |
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| Will zoning restrictions conflict with future needs? (Check with the local council if there are any planned developments or zoning changes.) |
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