Godalming Business Centre

Start Date

March 2024

Services Provided

Property Management

Overview

When the new property owner acquired Godalming Business Centre, they made a strategic decision not to retain the incumbent managing agent — one of the industry’s large “Big 4” firms. Instead, they appointed Clarity to provide a more personal, transparent, and hands-on management service focused on asset performance and occupier relationships.

At the time of appointment, the site suffered from prolonged vacancies and occupier disengagement, with one key transaction already stalled. At a later date, a second transaction became at risk of stalling.

These challenges reflected the limitations of an outdated, rigid management approach common within the traditional property industry — one lacking flexibility, innovation, and responsiveness.

What We Did

We took a proactive, solution-driven approach to re-establish momentum and unlock the site’s income potential.

• Unit 7 – Service Charge Cap (Resolved in Year 1, Q1) A prospective occupier had previously walked away due to a lack of flexibility around the service charge budget. Clarity restructured the budget within the first three months, introduced smarter maintenance strategies, and implemented a service charge cap aligned with the occupier’s requirements — enabling the deal to proceed and the unit to be occupied.
• Unit 3 – Licence to Alter (Resolved in Year 2) A separate transaction had stalled due to professional fees quoted for a required Licence to Alter, which the occupier needed to complete minor fit-out works for their employees. Clarity stepped in to deliver the LTA process in-house, completing it within two weeks at a fraction of the original cost, which enabled the lease to complete smoothly and without further delay.

Outcome

Through these targeted interventions, Clarity successfully turned two stalled transactions into long-term lettings, significantly improving occupancy levels and the asset’s financial performance.

Impact

Through Clarity’s technical insight and practical delivery we achieved increased occupancy achieved across all units.

• Landlord benefit: Elimination of vacant-unit service charge and business rates liabilities; increased rental and insurance income.
• Tenant benefit: Fair, transparent budgets and practical support during fit-out.
• Asset performance: Enhanced cash flow, improved occupier satisfaction, and strengthened landlord-occupier relationships.

Conclusion

This case demonstrates Clarity’s ability to deliver tangible results through a personal, partnership-based management approach. By focusing on practical solutions, transparency, and collaboration, we were able to resolve long-standing issues that had stalled under previous management and transform the site’s financial and operational performance — continuing to deliver measurable improvements year-on-year.