Relocation decisions

Before choosing what equipment to move, define the business the new premises must support. These guides work through the offering, customer needs, space, costs and evidence behind that decision.

Start with the operating brief. Use the comparisons that match your situation, then test the proposed arrangement before committing to dates or releasing assets. Technical, property, employment and contractual decisions need the appropriate advisers.

Define the future business

• Define the business the new site must support
• Could adapting the present site avoid a business move?
• Set the future product range before planning the move
• What demand should the new premises plan assume?
• Will the new location change the customers you can serve?
• Check skills availability before committing to a new site

Compare premises and working arrangements

• Build a floor-area budget before choosing the new unit
• The support functions a new-site layout can forget
• Confirm the new site service requirements before the move decision
• Should the office and workshop move to the same place?
• When temporary premises are a real relocation option
• Compare candidate premises against one operating brief
• Plan the new workflow around job families
• Do you need a local service presence after the main move?

Check the economics and flexibility

• Cost the future operation as well as the move
• How much future growth should a smaller site allow for?
• Which relocation costs change when the business plan changes?
• Set benefits the owner can check after the move

Choose the approach and resolve conditions

• One shutdown or a phased move: compare the business impact
• Choose a relocation window from the work pattern
• Check customer quality approval before changing production site
• Check the permitted activities before choosing equipment for the new site
• Test the proposed workflow before committing the move plan
• When unresolved facts should pause the relocation decision
• Who signs off the future operating plan before assets are released?

Prepare the surplus enquiry

• Brief UK Auction Group when a relocation creates surplus

When the future operation is agreed, UK Auction Group can discuss machinery, equipment and contents it leaves surplus. Give the confirmed scope and any conditions affecting availability.

Return to Business Closure Guide for premises exit, phased moves and other transition topics.