Starting a business can feel daunting. From naming your brand and setting up your budgeting, staffing, and finding your first customers, there can be a lot to manage. But one thing that can make or break your early growth is location.
To answer in short, yes, location matters when starting a business. There are many different reasons why that is, depending on the type of business you own.
Setting The Scene
If you’re planning on opening a high street shop, a café, or setting up a small studio, the space you choose to hold these in plays a key role in how people perceive your business. Your location can reflect your brand, attract your ideal audience and influence how much you charge.
An attractive, well-positioned property in a vibrant area can communicate professionalism, quality, and relevance. On the other hand, a location that’s hard to find or disconnected from your target audience may slow things down, no matter how great your product or service is.
If your surroundings clash with the image or values of your brand, or if your target audience aren’t frequently in the area, it could be an uphill battle from day one. Similarly, a poor location might even affect the mood and productivity of your team, especially if commute times are long or parking is an issue. A location needs to work for you in more ways than one.
Site Finding and Property Sourcing
That’s where site finding services and property sourcing come in. These services are designed to help you find the right space for your business, not just one that’s available, but one that’s strategically suited to what you do and where you want to grow.
At Presence & Co., we work closely with businesses and developers across Kent and the South East to help them identify and acquire properties that align with their goals. Whether it’s a bustling high street location, a quiet professional hub, or a property ripe for transformation, we help take the guesswork out of site selection.
From property acquisition support to feasibility assessments, having an experienced team by your side means you’ll make smarter choices from the start, and avoid costly mistakes later.
Here are just a few reasons why location matters:
- Brand visibility
- Customer accessibility
- Your ability to hire and retain staff
- Logistics and deliveries
- Nearby competition or complementary businesses
The Power of Knowledge
Every area has its hotspots and hidden gems. If you’re not familiar with the landscape you could miss out on some prime opportunities. Working with a team that knows the local market can save you time and stress.
Take Tunbridge Wells, for example. From The Pantiles to Camden Road, each area has its own vibe and demographic. If you’re targeting creative professionals, independents, or families, your location strategy will look different, and so will the type of property that suits you best.
That’s why our property sourcing services are tailored to what you need. We look at more than just square footage and price, we consider how the space will work for your business.
We also understand that no two business owners are the same. Some may prioritise visibility and signage, while others need flexible layouts, delivery access, or quiet surroundings. That’s why we go deeper, reviewing planning permissions, building conditions, future area developments and even local council initiatives that could impact your investment.
Case Study: Breathing New Life into a Mixed-Use Space
Recently, we helped transform a mixed-use commercial space just a short walk from Tunbridge Wells High Street into a stunning two-bedroom, two-bathroom residential unit. Previously underused and overlooked, the space now boasts huge appeal, thanks to its location near local favourites like GAIL’s, Anthropologie, and Collins & Sons.
This is the kind of project that makes you realise how much potential certain spaces hold, if you have the right vision and the right support.
Choosing the Right Location for You
At the end of the day, you will know what is right for your business. But knowing what to look for and what to avoid makes the world of difference. More business owners are turning to companies that offer site finding, acquisition support and property development services to support their dreams.
A great location should feel like an extension of your brand. If you’re going to invest in building your business, you want the foundation to be solid, and location is part of that foundation. Whether you’re launching a product-based business or offering services, the right space acts as your platform to grow confidently.
Setting The Tone
Even if your business isn’t open to the public, your location still matters more than you might think. The right space can support your team, streamline your operations, and set a professional tone from the outset. Whether it’s where your stock is stored, your team works from, or meetings are held, your base becomes a reflection of your brand.
It can also be vital for the functionality of your business. A well chosen location can reduce travel time, improve workflow, and make collaboration easier. It also shows your clients and partners that you’ve thought things through, right down to where you operate from. When your base works well for you, the rest of the business flows a little smoother too.
At Presence & Co., we work with businesses, schools, developers, and commercial landlords to help turn ideas into spaces. From helping you find the right site to managing the fit-out and maintenance, we take care of the details so you can focus on launching and growing your business.
Whether you’re starting fresh, relocating, or expanding, we can help you find a location that supports your goals, long term.
