As we celebrate our 60th Anniversary, we’re committed to looking after our customers by creating welcoming, sustainable spaces for businesses to call home. Alongside this, we’re also committed to creating awareness of the value and opportunities across our industry to encourage collaboration and positive change.
This month, we we’re pleased to host our second annual UKREiiF Fringe Event which brought together developers, occupiers, planners, agents, and policymakers for a relaxed yet purposeful evening of insight, networking, and conversation, centred around our BIG things in SMALL boxes campaign.
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SMALL boxes, BIG opportunity
The event opened with a warm welcome from Potter Space’s MD, Jason Rockett, setting the tone for an evening focused on collaboration, opportunities, and forward-thinking solutions.
We were joined by Mark Powney, Head of Economics at Savills, who presented a powerful overview of the small to mid-box market, drawing directly from our BIG things in SMALL boxes 2024 report.
Key insights from the discussion included:
An economy built on regional inequality
Mark highlighted that while the UK’s industrial and logistics sector continues to grow, regional disparities persist. Smaller urban centres, especially in the Midlands and North, have a growing demand but insufficient industrial stock.
The case for supporting I&L growth
Industrial development supports local job creation, drives SME expansion, and strengthens supply chain resilience. Yet, planning and investment remain skewed toward big-box units and prime locations, leaving the sub-100k sq. ft. market underserved.
Development is not matching demand
While demand for smaller units is high, new development in this segment has fallen significantly behind, constrained by limited funding, planning challenges, and land availability.
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Current stock could fall foul of impending EPC changes
A large proportion of small and mid-sized units across the UK could fall foul of the incoming proposed EPC changes which could see 85% of current stock unable to be let by 2030 if widespread retrofitting isn’t undertaken.
The market is diverse, and so are its needs
From e-commerce fulfilment to trade counters and local manufacturing, the sub-100k sq. ft. sector is incredibly diverse in use and geography. A one-size-fits-all approach will not unlock its full potential, but a collaborative, place-sensitive strategy can.
Why This Matters to Potter Space
With five sites across the UK, a strong track record in sustainable development, and deep roots in regional growth, Potter Space is proud to be leading the charge on recognising the actual value of this sector.
As we celebrate 60 years in business, we will continue to create sustainable space for our customers to call home, but also drive awareness, collaboration and positive change across our industry through campaigns like BIG Things in SMALL Boxes.
Let’s Keep the Conversation Going
We want to thank everyone who joined us at UKREiiF, especially our fantastic guests and contributors. Whether you are a developer, policymaker, occupier, or advisor, we believe the future of logistics property lies in shared thinking, knowledge, and ambition.
You can download the full BIG things in SMALL boxes report here: https://bit.ly/47PcaDz
