FINDING BUSINESSES FOR SALE
Compared with the estate agency sector, where it is possible to find out about the vast majority of properties for sale in a target area by registering with a handful of local estate agents and via a single main web portal, finding out about leasehold and freehold businesses for sale can be much more problematic, with many businesses changing hands without ever coming into the open market.
The primary reason for this secrecy is that to ensure continuity of trading, most business owners wish to maintain a level of confidentiality from their staff, competitors, and customers until a sale has completed. Business owners also often do not want everyone and their dog knowing how much or little money they make from their enterprises.
As a starting point, common resources available buyers to allow them to locate businesses for sale include:-
- Online via business sales portals such as www.businessesforsale.co.uk
- Business brokers / business transfer agents such as First City Business Brokers, Sunbelt, Christie & Co, Adams etc.
- Business sales publications e.g. Daltons Weekly.
- Non specialist national publications e.g. The Times.
- Non specialist Regional newspapers such as The Manchester Evening News, The London Evening Standard, Loot etc.
- Sector specific trade press – e.g. Farmers weekly, Hotel & Caterer etc.
- Word of mouth / personal referrals / personal contacts / trade reps.
In addition to these standard mediums there are several more sophisticated and proactive techniques available to purchasers to help you find out about more and better businesses for sale. However, this know-how is reserved for our paying clients only!
