Overview

Our occupational agency team is one of the leading advisers in the UK Out of Town commercial property market

Our instructions vary from some of the country’s most significant convenience-led shopping parks to prime furniture-based schemes, smaller freestanding properties, cluster developments, drive-thrus, restaurants, pod developments and we are increasingly active in the retirement and care home markets.

Our clients include:

Major plc pension funds

National & international occupiers

Developers

Established property companies

Alongside our many instructions acting for landlords, we advise several occupiers with their property acquisitions, disposals and wider property strategies.

We act for a broad selection of occupiers in the following sectors:

Retail, including foodstores

Leisure including gyms and play centres

Roadside, diner and drive-thru restaurants

Trade counter

Retirement living

Care homes

Student accommodation

Self-storage

Hotels

Medical centres

EV charging including wider renewable power generation

Scheme listing

Occupiers

ESH represents the following occupiers:

Lidl

Lidl is one of the fastest growing foodstores in the UK with over a 1,000 stores and plans for a further 500 longer term and a consistent roll-out of new stores each year. ESH have acted extensively for Lidl across the country for several years including sourcing premises for one of their flagship stores in Guildford, Surrey; acquiring a retail park for redevelopment in Bournemouth as well as securing several sites in very tightly supplied, highly desirable locations such as Tewkesbury, Thame and Bury St Edmunds, among several others. We have also helped Lidl both dispose of older sites/stores, where these have been relocated and replaced with modern format stores and to sell surplus land alongside new foodstores in towns such as Gosport, Waterlooville, Guildford, Shaftesbury and several other locations.

Surveyor

Adam Patrick, Henry Phipps, Sophie Wilson, Dom Barnard

Jollyes

Jollyes is one of the UK’s largest chains of pet food superstores with over 120 stores in the UK and Northern Ireland. Jollyes are expanding in the UK and are seeking units of 4,000-7,000sqft on Retail Parks, standalone and roadside sites close to retail pitches.

Surveyor

Tim Hornor, Karl Norman, Sophie Wilson, Giles Pickford

Hobbycraft

Founded in 1995, Hobbycraft has since grown to the largest arts and crafts retailer in the UK with a nationwide business of over 100 stores across the UK. ESH are fully retained by Hobbycraft assisting with lease renewals, regears and new store acquisitions.

Surveyor

Henry Phipps

Black Sheep Coffee

Black Sheep Coffee was founded in Camden Market in 2013 and is the fastest growing coffee chain in the UK. Black Sheep Coffee have over 120 sites in the UK as well as growing across the USA and UAE. Black Sheep are actively seeking drive-thru and drive-to sites of between 1,500sqft and 2,500sqft on Retail Parks or standalone positions

Surveyor

Karl Norman

Oak & More

Oak & More are the new physical incarnation of the successful oakfurnituresuperstore.co.uk online business, who will have three stores open by the end of 2025, all in the South of England, and several other openings in the pipeline nationally. Ideal locations are successful furniture schemes throughout the UK and stores of 10,000-12,000 sq ft, preferably with mezzanines

Surveyor

Adam Patrick

Pure Gym

Pure Gym are one of the leading gym operators throughout the UK with over 300 gyms. Pure Gym are expanding and are seeking units of 4,000-15,000sq ft on retail parks, in city centre locations and standalone units.

Surveyor

Chris Fenton

Mattressman

Mattressman is the UK’s biggest online mattress specialist. Founded in 2004 with a single store in North Walsham, Norfolk, the company has grown significantly and now serves customers across the country from their network of 12 stores. Recent openings include Staples Corner and Lakeside, with more in the pipeline. Seeking units of 4,000 – 8,000 sq ft on retail parks with a strong furniture presence.

Surveyor

Giles Pickford, Adam Patrick

InHealth

In Health operate from over 850 locations in the UK and are rapidly expanding, seeking Class E units from 4,000-6,000 sq ft on retail parks, roadside and high streets.

Surveyor

Chris Fenton

Barker and Stonehouse

Barker & Stonehouse is a leading premium furniture retailer with over 10 stores in England. Barker & Stonehouse are seeking prime, quality furniture locations for stores of 20,000 sqft.

Surveyor

Tim Hornor

Starbucks

Starbucks are a world leading coffee company with thousands of stores worldwide. Starbucks continue to expand within the UK and are actively seeking drive-thru and drive-to sites of between 1,500sqft and 2,000sqft on Retail Parks or standalone sites in prominent locations.

Surveyor

Chris Fenton

Owners & Developers

ESH act for the following property companies, asset managers and developers