Movers&Shakers Profiles Four years and counting: Why FHP continues to grow in Birmingham

Leading commercial property consultancy, FHP, is a household name in the East Midlands, where it’s been established for more than three decades. Yet, as one of its directors, Doug Tweedie (right), explains, the firm’s Birmingham office is making plenty of headlines of its own.

Having launched its premises at 122 Colmore Row on Valentine’s Day 2019, you could say that FHP and Birmingham were always destined for a lasting relationship.

With a strong base of regional clients and a raft of opportunities available in Birmingham, expansion into the city was a natural step for the ambitious agency. It was also one that Doug “couldn’t turn down”.

Formerly head of Midlands retail and leisure at Cushman & Wakefield, Doug is an experienced property agent who advises landlords, investors and developers on a wide range of projects nationwide.

Asked to front FHP in Birmingham, he didn’t think twice about taking on the challenge. “Opening our Colmore Row office was a proud moment and a sure sign that if FHP was going to expand into the West Midlands, it was going to do it properly,” says Doug.

“We enjoyed terrific support from our clients from the outset, which enabled us to grow quickly and develop the business through a variety of instructions.”

MORE THAN 750,000 SQ FT OF LETTINGS, SALES AND ACQUISITIONS

Fast forward four years and the list of achievements is impressive. FHP Birmingham has transacted more than 750,000 sq ft of lettings, sales and acquisitions, from large scale regeneration projects to roadside and neighbourhood schemes.

There have been several shopping centre leasing mandates in areas such as Sutton Coldfield, Lichfield and Wolverhampton, as well as key instructions like Derbion in Derby and Nottingham’s Victoria Centre.

FHP has also strengthened its CV in Birmingham city centre too, launching the retail and leisure element of major mixed use development, Soho Wharf, as well as securing a string of standout lettings, including London-based operators Franco Manca and Flight Club – both of which were new to the city.

Safer Streets Provide Springboard For Success

There are many different aspects that go into putting forward a recommendation on a new retail or leisure letting. So what makes an area an attractive proposition for occupiers and investors? “Our clients are knowledgeable people and often know where they want to be and why,” says Doug.

“We cannot understate the importance of a clean, safe environment on the business decision to invest in a particular location. The better the street scene and surrounding elements, the more attractive it is for customers. It drives the footfall and in turn, the spend.”

Creating locations that consumers want to visit involves a significant number of stakeholders working together, from local authorities to landlords. Areas such as Lichfield and Leamington Spa have capitalised on occupier interest, thanks largely to a reputation for safe streets, an attractive street scene and lively events.

But so too has Birmingham city centre. In Doug’s view, the role of Colmore BID will be central to the continued success of Birmingham’s commercial heart.

He says: “The work that Colmore BID and others have undertaken in championing safety, street scene improvements and attracting investment to the district, is critical in keeping Birmingham a highly desirable place to do business.

“It really does resonate across a number of markets that FHP operates regionally, where there are very good and very bad examples of how areas are managed.

“I’ve been saying to anyone who will listen, that Birmingham has emerged from the financial crisis better than any other city in Europe. Having a motivated team to bring together the minds and the resources available is going to be crucial to sustaining that. Hopefully the same kind of results can be achieved across the West Midlands.”