Commercial property database

Citation

(1999), "Commercial property database", Facilities, Vol. 17 No. 5/6. https://doi.org/10.1108/f.1999.06917eab.016

Commercial property database

Commercial property database

Keywords Database, Property

Staffordshire's inward investment agency, InStaffs, has developed a site with a difference, a Website hosting a commercial property database.

By simply typing www.instaffs.co.uk property developers around the world can obtain on-the-spot information on £450 million-worth of individual plots of land and buildings in the county.

The use of a commercial property database, thought to be the first of its kind in the UK, allows InStaffs to promote some 1,500 acres, containing over 5 million sq.ft of available space, to a truly global audience. It has already been viewed by more than 1,500 people.

The mastermind behind the database is property and information manager, Andy Roberts. An Oxford mathematics graduate and keen cellist, Andy (30) has been orchestrating the database in conjunction with the county's property agents and says:

Initially, we wanted to develop a means by which interested parties could easily find details on sites and buildings in the county.

However, as I began to gather the information, I realised that there was a need for an easy means of identifying particular plots of land and buildings; obtaining accurate details relating to each plot as well as identifying its location within the county.

Anyone anywhere around the world can now quickly access detailed intormation, not only about Staffordshire's sites and specific property, but also the type of specialist workforces available in the county; costs of housing and the all-important communication links to specific markets via main roads, ports and airports.

The database allows visitors to the site to select one of eight property uses, including industrial, leisure, retail or office use. Then, by simply indicating the size of premises or land required ­ ranging from less than l,000 sq.ft (92 sq.m) to more than 100,000 sq.ft (9,290 sq.m) ­ the database provides a detailed breakdown of the locations meeting those criteria.

For example, someone looking for a shop, between 1,001-3,001 sq.ft (93-279 sq.m), in the Stoke-on-Trent area, will be provided with a selection of nine suitable locations.

The database informs the user about each location's storage facilities; whether it is in a pedestrianised area; its relation to main roads such as the A50 and parking facilities, as well as contact details for the property agent.

The database, which also displays photographs of the specific sites, quite simply provides the user with a one-stop-shop of how to relocate or expand within Staffordshire ­ from the comfort of their own computer screen.

If that is not enough, the information can be printed automatically as a report for property developers to then supply information direct to their clients.

Itis important that the site is totally interactive, ensuring that users can quickly access all the information they need to progress their enquiry and, hopefully, make their decision to tune into Staffordshire as a permanent location.

It is imperative that we take every opportunity to tell the world about Staffordshire and what it has to offer. An interactive Internet presence is a natural progression for us and one which we think adds even more to the appeal of the county as a forward-looking place in which to expand or re-locate.

Attracting inward investment is a tough task at the best of times. It is therefore essential to use the best instruments available to create greater awareness of the wealth of intormation available.

For further information contact: John de Kanter, InStaffs (UK) Limited. Tel: 01785 604060, or Richard Bull, David Clarke Associates. Tel: 0121 702 2525.