Unlocking the Public Estate – Local Realities, National Choices (February 2026 Edition)
We’re pleased to share the updated February 2026 edition of Unlocking the Public Estate – Local Realities, National Choices, led by Guy Brett. With Budget 2025 and this week’s SEND reform announcement, the operating environment for local government is shifting. While there remains no broad capital programme for civic estate renewal, reforms to high-needs (SEND) funding […]
Merseyside shopping centre sold to Warwickshire investors in £1.5m deal
A Merseyside shopping centre has changed hands in a £1.5m deal. The Manchester office of Watling Real Estate has completed the sale of Cavendish Walk Shopping Centre in Huyton near Liverpool. It was instructed to begin the sale process in September 2025 and completed a deal for the freehold just before Christmas. Rugby Property Assets, […]
For Sale || Unit 18, Jessops Riverside
We are instructed on behalf of Joint Liquidators to seek all expressions of interest in the long leasehold interest in Unit 18, Jessops Riverside. The salient points are as follows: • Modern hybrid 7,495 sq ft unit providing a mixture of office and workshop accommodation • Significant improvements to the accommodation beyond original specification • […]
For Sale || 8 Silverton Court
A Freehold Modern 10,106 Sq Ft Office Building Located Adjacent to the A19 in Northumberland Business Park Watling Real Estate are instructed on behalf of Joint Administrators to seek all expressions of interest in the freehold interest in the property. Offers to acquire the space on a leasehold basis will also be considered. The salient […]
For Sale || Former Silverline Tools Premises
Watling Real Estate is instructed on behalf of the Joint Administrators of Group Silverline Limited and Toolstream Limited to bring to market a substantial vacant freehold warehouse premises located in Yeovil. The salient points are as follows: • Modern distribution facility with clear internal heights up to 16.5m • Fully racked main warehouse • 118,982 sq.ft. GIA on 5.63 […]
Strengthening Industry-Leading Expertise: Matt Southall Achieves FNARA and RICS RPR
We are delighted to share that Matthew Southall, Director at Watling Real Estate, has successfully passed his NARA examinations and has been awarded Fellowship of Nara – The Association of Property and Fixed Charge Receivers as well as becoming a RICS Registered Property Receiver (RPR). NARA is widely recognised as the industry gold standard for […]
Watling Real Estate Breakfast Seminar
A big thank you to everyone who joined us for our 3rd annual Watling Real Estate Breakfast Seminar last week in the City of London. A special thanks to Nick Axford for an engaging presentation and to our fantastic panellists Natasha Vermenitch (HSBC), Oliver Haunch (Grant Thornton UK), Mark Boyden (LendInvest) and Andrew Foster (Watling […]
The Year Ahead – Continued Uncertainty or Turning The Corner?
Watling Real Estate is delighted to be hosting its upcoming Breakfast Event this Thursday, bringing together leading professionals from across the real estate, banking and restructuring sectors in the heart of the City of London. With over 150 attendees expected, the event promises to be a valuable forum for discussion, insight and networking at a […]
Unlocking the Public Estate – New Report, New Insights
Thank you to the senior leaders from local authorities and industry who joined our roundtable yesterday to discuss Unlocking the Public Estate -Local Realities, National Choices. The discussion reinforced our core findings: • Councils are under intense financial and operational pressure • Yet there is clear opportunity to unlock value from the estate • Delivering […]
Former Adam Carpets Industrial Site Sold For £4 million
Watling Real Estate, acting jointly with Edwards. has successfully completed the sale of the 154,743 sq. ft. former Adam Carpets industrial site in Kidderminster for £4 million, on behalf of Joint Administrators Joph Young and Conrad Beighton of Leonard Curtis. Oldbury-based Bhandal Properties Ltd has acquired the freehold industrial site from the Joint Administrators as […]
Lowesmoor Wharf and Canalside Business Park Sold For £4.25 million
Watling Real Estate, acting jointly with Richard Lingen of Savills, has successfully completed the sale of Lowesmoor Wharf and Canalside Business Park, a mixed-use, income-producing investment prominently located in Worcester City Centre. Following a highly competitive marketing process, the property was acquired by The Wharf Worcester Limited, a Worcester-based property company, off a guide price […]
What the 2025 UK Budget Could Look Like for Commercial Property: A Best-Case Scenario
With the backdrop of stretched valuations, shifting occupier trends, sustainability imperatives, and tax headwinds, the industry seems to be largely on pause at present, nervously awaiting this month’s Budget. Whilst economists speculate on which wider tax-raising levers will be pulled, we’ve asked: What would a “best-case” Budget look like for the commercial property industry – […]
What the 2025 UK Budget Could Look Like for Commercial Property: A Best-Case Scenario
With the backdrop of stretched valuations, shifting occupier trends, sustainability imperatives, and tax headwinds, the industry seems to be largely on pause at present, nervously awaiting this month’s Budget. Whilst economists speculate on which wider tax-raising levers will be pulled, we’ve asked: What would a “best-case” Budget look like for the commercial property industry – […]
Maintenance: The Missing Link In Public Sector Productivity
“The less you spend on buildings, the bigger your backlog maintenance bill gets.” That line from the NHS Providers and PAConsulting report says it all. Our forthcoming Watling Consulting research – Unlocking the Public Estate shows the same pattern across local government: under-maintained buildings drain productivity, inflate future costs and undermine resilience. Yet maintenance remains […]
Watling Real Estate Announces Four Promotions as Growth Continues Nationwide
Watling Real Estate is delighted to announce four well-deserved promotions across its national network, reflecting the continued growth and success of the business. In London, Matthew Southall has been promoted to Director, following his progression to Associate Director in September 2024. Matt plays a key role in the UK’s alternative real estate finance markets and […]
Company Insolvency Statistics || July 2025
Corporate insolvencies in England and Wales were broadly stable in July relative to both June 2025 and the same period last year. Whilst elevated by historic standards, insolvency levels are lower than the 30-year annual high seen in 2023. The economic backdrop remains unsettled, with general caution in the corporate marketplace, as firms delay significant […]
Company Insolvency Statistics || June 2025
June 2025 corporate insolvency statistics arrive at a time when the UK economic narrative is anything but settled. With a new Labour administration still bedding in its first full Budget and headline CPI unexpectedly nudging up to 3.6% again in June, market sentiment remains subdued. 2,043 companies entered insolvency in June 2025, representing an 8% […]
Sale-and-Leaseback: Deciphering the Myth
UK Real Estate investment volumes have been in general decline since 2021. Geopolitical and economic uncertainty have both contributed to wavering investor confidence, and consequently, would-be vendors have held back in wait for improving market conditions. With inflation now beginning to stabilise from the hyperinflation of 2022/23, coupled with a 1% fall in the Bank […]
Watling Growth In Birmingham
As we celebrate two years since the launch of Watling Real Estate in June 2023, we have added a new recruit to our Birmingham office. Kyannah-Leigh Johnson, a recent graduate in property development and planning from Birmingham City University, has joined Watling on a 12-month placement. Ben Holyhead, Associate at Watling Real Estate, said: “Having partnered with a number of regional Universities, we found that the breadth and […]
13 Valleys Ultra Marathon
A huge congratulations to our very own Chris Davies! This time for completing the incredible 13 Valleys Ultra Marathon in the Lake District National Park! After completing the 68 mile ‘7 Valleys’ in 2024, the first question from his ever supportive colleagues at Watling was ‘When are you going to have a go at the […]
