The number of calls we have received over the past week from shop investors who are looking to sell has been staggering. As a result of the continuous flow of bad news coming from the retail sector in the UK, those who own shops want to get out before their tenants become insolvent, their rental income stops and their property plummets in value.

Callers are all saying sell my shop – fast as one retailer after another is facing either administration, liquidation or bankruptcy.  Habitat, Jane Norman, Thorntons, T J Hughes, Sharps Bedrooms, Moben/Dolphin and many more have failed over the past 24-48 hours and more casualties are expected shortly.

I predicted this devastation over a year ago and have written about it on a regular basis.  It pains me when people who contacted us 6-12 months ago get back in touch to tell us we were right and that they should have sold to us back then before this latest round of retail insolvencies began.  It gives me no pleasure to say I told you so and to offer a price which is 25% less than it was when we made our initial offer the same time last year but the facts are clear – the retail industry is still suffering, the property market is still suffering, the economy is still suffering and the public are still suffering.

If you are thinking I want to sell my shop – fast then I would go to an auctioneer, commercial estate agent or online property company and at the same time as seeking best value, be aware that you may not end up with the price that you want.   

To stay abreast of the latest commercial property market news, visit Jason Werth’s sell my commercial property blog