Repurposing is more relevant than ever due to the increasing number of empty commercial units across the UK. How can potential buyers maximise on the unexpected abundance of empty retail and office spaces? Can they be reimagined?
We held a panel discussion that examined the sheer scale of repurposing opportunities presented to developers, investors and business entrepreneurs post-pandemic. Given the recent Use Classes planning overhaul, it has created greater flexibility in adapting new uses for commercial real estate. The hospitality, leisure and retail sectors in particular are presented with new opportunities and a new lease of life. New cleverly designed concepts and mixed-use, curated spaces embody the social value that communities, cities and town centres need. We explored how we can reimagine these spaces for the future.
We enjoyed hearing the thoughts and opinions from our accomplished panel of speakers.
We held a panel discussion that examined the sheer scale of repurposing opportunities presented to developers, investors and business entrepreneurs post-pandemic.
Click play to watch.
Meet our panel
Our accomplished panel of speakers will explore how we can reimagine empty spaces for the future.
Brandon Stephens
Founder and CEO
Anthem
Brandon Stephens
Founder and CEO, Anthem, Founder and Non-Executive Director of Tortilla, Advisory Partner at TriSpan, Non-Executive Director of Thunderbird Fried Chicken
Brandon is the founder of Anthem, a multi-use, all-day concept being developed together with several leading sector-specialist operators.
In addition to advising a number of hospitality brands, Brandon is also an Advisory Partner at TriSpan, a £150M hospitality-only private equity fund, where he sits on the board of Thunderbird Fried Chicken, a TriSpan portfolio company.
Prior to founding Anthem Brandon founded Tortilla Mexican Grill, the largest fast-casual Mexican chain in Europe, with 50 restaurants in the UK and Middle East.
Tom Whittington
Director of Retail and Leisure Research
Savills
Tom Whittington
Tom Whittington is Director of Retail and Leisure Research at Savills, where he has advised retailers, landlords and developers for 20 years on all things retail, from store expansion strategies, shopping centre feasibility and supermarket performance. For the last 5 years Tom has been redirecting his efforts into thinking about ways of rationalising and improving retail places to address the needs created from over expansion. His passion lies with creating genuine curated mixed use spaces that serve better social value, while still fulfilling the financial expectations of investors and other key stakeholders.
Oren Peleg
Executive Chairman
JustPark
Oren Peleg
Executive Chairman JustPark, Chairman of Kitt Offices, Seed Investor and Chairman of Handlebars
Oren currently spends his time working with Tech enabled Start-ups with the focus of helping them scale. He has several roles, in all of which he is also a leading investor.
Oren is now spending all his time working with Tech enabled Start-ups with the focus of helping them scale. He has a number of roles in all of which he is also an leading investor; NED and senior advisor of Spinecap (Hedge fund), Executive Chairman of JustPark (Parking and Mobility), Non-Executive Chairman of BrickLane (Fintech/Proptech), Executive Chairman of Kitt Offices (Proptech), Co-Founder and Chairman of Handlebars (Mobility).
Oren was Group CEO of Fitness First until 2017, and before this spent nearly twenty years in Private Equity as an Operating Partner focusing on leading and supporting the portfolio company transformations. He was one of the Founders of Oaktree Capital Group’s European Private Equity Business.
Jade Chalmers
Real Estate Director of Planning
Howard Kennedy
Jade Chalmers
Panel host
Jade Chalmers is a solicitor specialising in all planning matters for a wide range of residential and commercial property developers, leading house builders, property companies, investment funds and high net-worth individuals.
Jade advises on complex s.106 agreements, planning applications, the Community Infrastructure Levy regulations, highway agreements, listed buildings and conservation areas, as well as, in the planning and environmental aspects of major property and corporate transactions.
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