Flude Property Consultants is empowering businesses throughout the South East with expert guidance and innovative property solutions
The South East commercial property sector is a dynamic landscape, rich with opportunities. Home to a diverse array of businesses, the region has become a hub for growth and development.
As demands evolve and new trends emerge, navigating the market requires expertise and insight. This is where Flude Property Consultants comes in, offering a comprehensive range of services designed to support clients in maximising their commercial property interests.
Founded in 1996, the independent regional firm of chartered surveyors – regulated by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) – has grown from a small startup to a prominent player in the property consultancy field, operating from offices in Brighton, Chichester and Portsmouth. “Our core mission is to deliver conscientious, results-driven solutions that reflect our values of integrity, creativity and hard work,” states Flude Property Consultants director Andrew Halfacree.
Flude specialises in several key areas, including commercial property agency, lease advisory, commercial property management, valuations, and investment and development property. The company’s comprehensive expertise is a cornerstone of its success, allowing the team to understand the nuances of the market and provide invaluable insights to clients.
Over the last (almost) 30 years, Flude Property Consultants has garnered recognition within the industry for its high-quality, objective advice and exceptional service, consistently achieving top rankings in annual property transaction leadership tables and awards by EG and CoStar.
Notably, Flude has won the Brighton & Hove office awards for five consecutive years, further solidifying its reputation as a leader in the region. Recent accolades include recognition as Brighton & Hove’s ‘Most Active Office Disposal Agent’ for both the total number of deals and the total quantity of square footage transacted and ‘Most Active Agent’ by number of disposals and acquisitions in the South East for retail.
Andrew believes that Flude’s robust marketing strategy has played a fundamental role in its success. “Our marketing presence is very strong, from boards to brochures to social media to website marketing. It is an area we focus hard and daily on, and we believe our marketing presence is as good as any of our competitors. This gives the properties we market on behalf of clients superb exposure to the market.”
2024 has been a busy year for the Flude team. Recently, the chartered surveyors have been involved in several high-profile projects. Among these is the Longley Industrial Estate in Brighton, where Flude negotiated a long lease from the Council and secured planning consent for a significant development by Legal & General. This ambitious project aims to transform the New England Road area, contributing to the city’s housing stock with 216 new flats and 3,500 square metres of modern office space. “It was a complicated transaction but well worth the outcome as it will fill a much-needed gap in the provision of good quality rented residential accommodation,” observes Andrew.
Another noteworthy transaction involved the sale of the former Alfa Laval site in Eastbourne. Andrew adds: “Alfa Laval is an international business specialising in the manufacture and maintenance of industrial pumps. Changes in the business meant that the team needed to sell this particular site, which comprised 83,000 sq ft of 1960s-1980s industrial space on a 3.4 acre site. We sold the site to Lok N Store (since taken over by Shurgard), which has secured planning consent and will shortly commence the development of a new state-of-the-art selfstore.”
Additionally, Flude is marketing a 23,000 sq ft former office building in Lewes, where its analysis reveals minimal demand for office space, prompting an exploration of its conversion into residential accommodation to better meet local housing needs. Meanwhile, in Brighton, the property business is promoting a former specialist care home located in a densely built area of Kemp Town, which has attracted interest from various organisations. Flude anticipates that this property will be redeveloped into a different type of residential accommodation, pending planning approval, contributing to the area’s housing supply.
Many of Flude’s larger projects involve redeveloping and repurposing existing sites and buildings. Andrew explains: “Our market knowledge and ability to test demand and supply across various property sectors enable us to provide clients with informed advice on disposal options, strategies, risks, rewards and timelines, as well as recommending other professionals like architects and planning consultants.”
The commercial property sector is continually evolving, and Flude Property Consultants remains at the forefront of these changes. The ongoing effects of the pandemic have reshaped the office market, with a notable decline in demand for traditional office space and a rise in the need for flexible, high-quality work environments. “We have observed a notable rise in the amount of vacant second-hand office space on the market,” says Andrew. “At the same time, demand for new, high-quality spaces has surged, along with rents in this sector. As a result, landlords of second-hand buildings must adopt more proactive and innovative approaches for the future of their properties. Common strategies include conversions to alternative uses, high-quality refurbishments and complete redevelopment.”
Similarly, the retail sector faces significant challenges from the growth of online shopping, prompting Flude to guide clients on repurposing strategies for their retail assets. On top of this, the push for energy efficiency has become a critical focus, with the firm helping clients navigate new regulations requiring improved Energy Performance Certificates for commercial properties.
Broadly speaking, the Flude team recognise that the general state of the economy is having a notable effect on the property market. “High inflation, increased interest rates, the cost-of-living crisis and increased worldwide instability have all influenced demand and the viability of many new development schemes,” identifies Andrew. “Planning also remains a significant shaper and obstacle to the market – both in the commercial and the residential sectors. The population of the South East continues to grow, as does the volume of traffic, demand for housing and demand for appropriate commercial property accommodation. Planning decisions are playing a major role in shaping where and how this demand is accommodated.”
Flude Property Consultants has grown from a startup in 1996 to having three offices across Sussex and Hampshire, with a team of 35 surveyors and administrators. As the firm looks to the future, its primary objective is to ensure a seamless transition as senior team members begin to wind down their careers. Flude is committed to nurturing the next generation of property professionals, equipping them with the skills and knowledge necessary to drive the business forward. “We have a great crop of younger surveyors and administrators with energy, ambition and drive, who we are confident will continue the growth and success of the business,” says Andrew.
In the coming years, Flude is poised to enhance its presence in the Sussex and Hampshire markets while cultivating a vibrant workplace culture that attracts and retains top talent. One thing is clear: this business is unwavering in its commitment to delivering exceptional property solutions, outstanding service and in-depth expertise in an evolving landscape.
