Getting a new business off the ground is no small thing. You’ve got to name it, fund it, staff it, and start finding customers — often all at once.
One part that’s easy to overlook in the early rush is where you’re going to base the business. But ask anyone who’s done it, and they’ll tell you it matters more than you’d expect.
Where you set up shop really does matter. And depending on the type of business you’re building, it might be one of the most important decisions you make.
Setting the Scene
If you’re opening a shop, a café, a studio, or anything that has a physical presence, your location does more than give people a place to find you. It shapes how your business is seen, who notices it, and how confident people feel about walking in.
A strong location helps people take your business seriously before they’ve even stepped inside. But if you’re in the wrong place — too hidden, too awkward, too far removed from your audience — it’s an uphill climb, no matter how good your offering is.
It’s not just about appearances. If your space doesn’t reflect your brand or make sense for your audience, you’ll be working twice as hard to get attention. A poor location can even affect team morale — long commutes, awkward parking, or lack of nearby amenities make a difference.
A good location makes life easier. Not just for customers, but for you and your team as well.
Site Finding and Property Sourcing
That’s where site finding and property sourcing come in. These services aren’t just about what’s on the market — they help you find a space that suits the way you work and where you want to take your business.
At Presence & Co., we work with founders, developers and property owners across Kent and the South East to help them make better choices from the start. Whether you’re looking for footfall, discretion, character or flexibility, we help match the right spaces with the right goals.
We also offer feasibility reviews and acquisition support, so you can avoid common pitfalls and move forward with confidence.
Why Location Really Matters
Where you choose to set up affects more than your business address. It has an impact on:
- How visible and recognisable your brand is
- How easily customers can reach you
- Your ability to hire and keep good staff
- Deliveries, storage and supply chains
- Your competition and the businesses nearby
A good location will make your business feel like it belongs. A poor one can slow everything down.
The Power of Local Knowledge
Not every great location shouts for attention. Sometimes the best spaces are the ones most people pass by — unless you know where to look.
Take Tunbridge Wells, for example. The Pantiles and Camden Road each have their own rhythm and crowd. One leans towards a polished feel with strong footfall, the other attracts independents and creatives. Knowing the area and how it behaves on the ground can shape your entire location strategy.
Our approach to site finding goes deeper than basic filters. We look at whether a property aligns with your audience, your brand and your long-term plans. We factor in building condition, access, planning restrictions and even upcoming developments that could affect how that location performs down the line.
Case Study: Transforming a Mixed-Use Space in Tunbridge Wells
Recently, we worked with a client to reimagine a mixed-use space just off Tunbridge Wells High Street. The space had been overlooked for years, but we saw the potential.
It’s now a bright and modern two-bedroom, two-bathroom flat. And because it’s located near GAIL’s, Anthropologie and Collins & Sons, it’s become an attractive place to live — one with the right atmosphere, the right crowd, and the right support nearby.
This is the kind of result that’s possible when you combine vision with location expertise.
Choosing the Right Location
Only you can make the final call on what feels right. But having someone on your side who knows what to look out for can save you a lot of time and money.
A good location should suit how you work, help your team function better, and give your business room to grow. That might mean visibility and signage, or it could be about layout, access, and surroundings.
We help clients define what matters most to them, then find places that make that possible.
Setting the Tone for Success
Even if your business doesn’t have walk-ins or a retail shopfront, location still affects how you operate. Whether it’s your team’s base, your storage site or where you meet clients, where you’re based can shape the way others view your business.
A well-chosen space supports how your team works, helps streamline your day-to-day, and shows clients and partners that you’ve thought things through.
At Presence & Co., we help businesses, schools, landlords and developers turn ideas into usable spaces. From property sourcing and acquisition to planning and project management, we handle the behind-the-scenes so you can focus on what matters.
Whether you’re just getting started or ready to grow into something bigger, we’ll help you find the kind of space that works for your business, not against it.
