Positive market outlook by Adam Honeyman, an associate in Shepherd’s Glasgow office. Despite a slight dip in activity towards the year end, 2022 proved to be a very busy period for our commercial surveyors throughout Scotland and, despite a degree of uncertainty within the market, the outlook for the year ahead is decidedly positive. Of course, last year we secured the top spot in NovaLoca’s disposals report 2022. This analysed 42,000 property adverts, comparing properties across all sectors: retail, industrial, leisure, office, and land. The top five companies with the highest number of disposals accounted for 25% of all disposals, with Shepherd Commercial securing first place, accounting for 7%. The report illustrated that appointing an agent with geographical coverage across multiple sectors, operating within a national market whilst offering local market knowledge and sector specific expertise, is vital when advising on commercial property matters. Following the pandemic, we continue to adapt to market changes and this recognition is just reward for the manner in which the agency teams operating across the country have embraced new and innovative practices, such as video tours and our on-line commercial property auction service which offers another route for clients to consider when looking to dispose of an asset. Indeed, we are unique in being a leading chartered surveying practice with substantial market penetration together with an auction house bolted on. Our latest commercial property auction, featuring lots throughout the length and breadth of Scotland, is scheduled for broadcast live online with remote bidding on Tuesday 28th February at 2.30pm with our catalogue featuring a wide range of commercial property and development land opportunities with guide prices starting from only £7,500. A growing number of commercial property purchasers, investors and vendors are becoming well versed in transacting via our on-line auction site and we are pleased to be selling a number of assets on behalf of various public sector organisations through our Scottish Government disposal contract. Auctions offer the ability to sell all types of commercial property through our expansive network whilst being able to offer transparency and simplicity of the process. However, our offering goes further in that we are able to offer the local market advice from our in-house team of Chartered Surveyors. Shepherd provides a wide range of commercial property services, including: commercial property valuation, asset management; acquisitions and disposals; rating, compulsory purchase, project consultancy; lease advisory; and our sister firm, Hardies offers property and construction advice to include building surveying, quantity surveying and energy services amongst others. Located strategically throughout Scotland, our clients benefit from our local market knowledge and the large network of dedicated professionals with a wide range of experience, expertise and resources. You can view all of Shepherd Commercial’s property listings on NovaLoca here.