Brexit increasing enquiries says Smart-Space

Antony Hunt, managing director of Smart-Space, believes that the vote to leave the EU is having an impact on UK businesses in several ways.

"Talking to potential customers, it's seems that post-Brexit events are influencing their future strategy in ways that are diametrically opposed," he says.

The weakening of the pound against other currencies has improved the export potential for a wide range of UK industries. As a consequence, manufacturing exporters – and their suppliers – are looking at cost-effective methods of expanding their storage or manufacturing capacity quickly on their present sites, to take advantage of the situation and to grow their presence in current and new markets.

At the same time, organisations who enjoyed significant post-recession growth pre-Brexit are now unsure how their overseas business will be affected by the forthcoming negotiations to extricate the UK from the EU. Plans for significant expansion are being put on hold as a result, or are being reviewed to examine the alternatives to major, long-term capital investment.

"We're getting calls from people outlining their predicament and asking how we can help," says Antony. "Essentially, they are looking for a quick, cost-effective alternative to a traditional building. Sometimes that's a temporary solution that won't be needed in a few months' time. But more often than not, they're looking for the right solution for longer-term semi-permanent or permanent use, especially when it comes to connecting to an existing building to extend or expand business space."

That tends to mean a made-to-order, steel-clad building which is totally watertight and insulated, which conforms to building and fire regulations, and which may be in place for decades rather than months.

But doubts about the future mean that interim buildings are also being viewed as an viable alternative. These bridge the gap between temporary and permanent buildings because they use a modular off-the-shelf aluminium frame system, with the added advantages of a 40mm steel roof and 40mm steel wall cladding. They look, last and perform like a permanent building but are available for rental, so give the user far more flexibility in terms of the period of use.

"The right solution depends on a number of factors specific to the particular business, but the key message is that the right solution does exist, whatever Brexit has meant to your organisation," says Antony. "Our job is to ensure that the customer's first decision is the right decision."

For anyone considering a temporary, semi-permanent or permanent structure, Smart-Space has drawn up a reference guide. Download free here bit.ly/22pQTZw.