Roadside Property: Why Specialist Advice Matters More Than Ever.

The roadside property market — including autocentres, trade counters and drive-to retail — remains one of the most resilient and attractive corners of the commercial property sector. High visibility, reliable demand, and long-term occupational strength continue to underpin performance. But these sites also bring unique challenges that make them very different from typical retail or industrial assets.

Here at Fairhurst Buckley, the team have more than 55 years’ combined experience in the autocentre and trade counter market. We operate nationwide and unusually, for a firm of our size, have a fully integrated team of General Practice and Valuation Chartered Surveys, Chartered Building Surveyors and an FM team offering full reactive maintenance, statutory compliance and planned preventative maintenance services to both landlords and corporate occupiers throughout the UK.

These are some of the factors that can make – or break – roadside property performance.

Getting the Fundamentals Right

Roadside assets are operationally complex. Layout, signage, access, MOT bay depth, customer parking and even the flow of vehicles through a site all have a direct impact on how a property performs. These details matter not just to occupiers, but also to investors and landlords who want to protect income and long-term value.

“Autocentres and trade counters are specialist environments requiring detailed understanding and often involve complex negotiations,” explains Nigel Blyth, Managing Director.  “From acquisitions and disposals to refurbishments, lease renewals and facilities management, decisions need to be made with both operational and strategic goals in mind.”

Lease Strategy and Risk Management

Most roadside sites are leasehold, which means liabilities can mount up if they’re not managed proactively. Pre-lease surveys, mid-term inspections and end-of-lease reports are essential tools to anticipate future costs, manage dilapidations risk and protect value. When it comes to rent reviews, deep market knowledge and strong comparables can ensure fair outcomes for both parties.

“We always tailor advice to a client’s strategic goals – whether that’s negotiating lease flexibility or securing long-term trading positions,” says Nigel. “In some cases, that means taking a rent review to a Third Party to achieve the right result.”

Design, Maintenance and Compliance

Well-run roadside assets require more than just initial planning – they rely on careful upkeep to support ongoing operations. Planned maintenance strategies help spread costs and minimise disruption, while refurbishment programmes must be delivered with an understanding of how occupiers use the space.

“We know how these sites operate day to day, so we plan works to minimise disruption and maintain trading,” explains John MacMillan, Director of Building Surveying. “That means ensuring compliance while also enhancing the customer journey.”

Facilities Management That Protects Value

A robust facilities management strategy underpins safety, compliance and brand reputation. Regular statutory checks, planned preventative maintenance and sustainability initiatives all help to reduce downtime, avoid unexpected costs and protect the value of the asset.

“Our role is to make sure sites are safe, compliant and fully operational — allowing clients to deliver a consistent service with minimal downtime,” adds Luke Fleming, Facilities Helpdesk Manager.

Why It Pays to Work with Specialists

Roadside assets might look straightforward from the outside — but beneath the surface, they demand a level of technical, operational and strategic understanding that goes beyond general commercial property knowledge. Partnering with experienced advisors can be the difference between a site that simply functions and one that consistently delivers value.