The Essential Property Brief for Finding the Right Retail Space
Starting your dream shop or café?
Finding the perfect location is one of the most important—and challenging—steps in building a successful business. Without a clear plan, you risk choosing a site that doesn’t meet your needs, leading to unnecessary stress and costly mistakes.
That’s why I’ve created the Essential Property Brief—a simple, practical tool to guide you every step of the way.
The Essential Property Brief for Finding the Right Retail Space
Starting your dream shop or café?
Finding the perfect location is one of the most important—and challenging—steps in building a successful business. Without a clear plan, you risk choosing a site that doesn’t meet your needs, leading to unnecessary stress and costly mistakes.
That’s why I’ve created the Essential Property Brief—a simple, practical tool to guide you every step of the way.
As a seasoned retail design and project management consultant with over 20 years of industry experience, I've seen it all when it comes to the challenges of opening a successful shop.
I know firsthand the stress, overwhelm, and financial risks that come with navigating the complex world of leases, budgets, timelines, and tradespeople.
Now I will show you a better way.
As a seasoned retail design and project management consultant with over 20 years of industry experience, I've seen it all when it comes to the challenges of opening a successful shop.
I know firsthand the stress, overwhelm, and financial risks that come with navigating the complex world of leases, budgets, timelines, and tradespeople.
Now I will show you a better way.
What Is the Essential Property Brief?
What Is the Essential Property Brief?
What You’ll Get When You Download
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A Clear Template for Success
Fill in your details to define your unique business needs, such as:- Shop Name & Concept: Clarify your business identity and offerings.
- Customer Profile: Understand who your customers are and what they need, from parking to accessibility.
- Daily Operations: Plan for essential areas like storage, food preparation, and customer service spaces.
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Critical Business Requirements
Avoid zoning surprises and find a space that aligns with your operational needs. Use the brief to evaluate:- Special zoning requirements (e.g., light industrial use for coffee roasting).
- Proximity to complementary businesses or competitors.
- Whether you need high foot traffic or other location-specific benefits.
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Site Evaluation Checklist
Ensure the space meets your current and future needs:- Loading docks and delivery access.
- Secure areas for after-dark operations.
- Growth potential in economically vibrant areas.
What You’ll Get When You Download
A Clear Template for Success
Fill in your details to define your unique business needs, such as:
- Shop Name & Concept: Clarify your business identity and offerings.
- Customer Profile: Understand who your customers are and what they need, from parking to accessibility.
- Daily Operations: Plan for essential areas like storage, food preparation, and customer service spaces.
Critical Business Requirements
Avoid zoning surprises and find a space that aligns with your operational needs. Use the brief to evaluate:
- Special zoning requirements (e.g., light industrial use for coffee roasting).
- Proximity to complementary businesses or competitors.
- Whether you need high foot traffic or other location-specific benefits.
Site Evaluation Checklist
Ensure the space meets your current and future needs:
- Loading docks and delivery access.
- Secure areas for after-dark operations.
- Growth potential in economically vibrant areas.
Who Is This For?
If you’ve ever said:
- “I want to open a shop, but I don’t know where to start!”
- “How do I find the perfect premises?”
Then this guide is for you! It’s tailored to first-time business owners like you—excited to create their dream retail or café space, but needing a structured approach to get it right.
Who Is This For?
If you’ve ever said:
- “I want to open a shop, but I don’t know where to start!”
- “How do I find the perfect premises?”
Then this guide is for you! It’s tailored to first-time business owners like you—excited to create their dream retail or café space, but needing a structured approach to get it right.
Why Do You Need This Property Brief?
- Save Time and Reduce Stress: Know exactly what to look for in a site before you start inspecting properties.
- Make Confident Decisions: Avoid costly mistakes with a detailed understanding of your business needs.
- Start Strong: Lay the groundwork for a successful launch by choosing a location that aligns with your goals.
Why Do You Need This Property Brief?
- Save Time and Reduce Stress: Know exactly what to look for in a site before you start inspecting properties.
- Make Confident Decisions: Avoid costly mistakes with a detailed understanding of your business needs.
- Start Strong: Lay the groundwork for a successful launch by choosing a location that aligns with your goals.
Don't take my word for it, here's what some of my past clients have to say:
Could not recommend Karyn (Setting Up Shop) more highly!! From the very beginning to the very end, Karyn is with you every step of the way. Our first major Café fitout and I can 100% say that we would never have made it even half way to the finish line without her guidance & expertise.
- Melanie Warren
One review will not do Karyn justice - she is efficient, knowledgeable, proactive and understanding. Karyn will save you money, pre-empt problems and have solutions before it happens, and deliver on time.
- Lucy George, Owner, Mumbleberry
But don't just take their word for it. As the founder of Setting Up Shop, I've helped countless aspiring entrepreneurs just like you turn their retail dreams into reality.
And now, I'm ready to share my step-by-step system with you.
Don't take my word for it, here's what some of my past clients have to say:
Could not recommend Karyn (Setting Up Shop) more highly!! From the very beginning to the very end, Karyn is with you every step of the way. Our first major Café fitout and I can 100% say that we would never have made it even half way to the finish line without her guidance & expertise.
- Melanie Warren
One review will not do Karyn justice - she is efficient, knowledgeable, proactive and understanding. Karyn will save you money, pre-empt problems and have solutions before it happens, and deliver on time.
- Lucy George, Owner, Mumbleberry
But don't just take their word for it. As the founder of Setting Up Shop, I've helped countless aspiring entrepreneurs just like you turn their retail dreams into reality.
And now, I'm ready to share my step-by-step system with you.
But don't just take their word for it. As the founder of Setting Up Shop, I've helped countless aspiring entrepreneurs just like you turn their retail dreams into reality.
And now, I'm ready to share my step-by-step system with you.
A smooth delivery, to budget and to our timeline.
On behalf of the Board I wanted to sincerely thank you for your work on our West Village project. Your experience, guidance and negotiating skills ensured a smooth delivery of our new home, to budget and to our timeline. And all completed in a pandemic! Thank you for your professionalism and the extra care you brought to this project. We consider you a valuable part of the Metro Arts family.
- Michael Cottier, Chair, Metro Arts
A smooth delivery, to budget and to our timeline.
On behalf of the Board I wanted to sincerely thank you for your work on our West Village project. Your experience, guidance and negotiating skills ensured a smooth delivery of our new home, to budget and to our timeline. And all completed in a pandemic! Thank you for your professionalism and the extra care you brought to this project. We consider you a valuable part of the Metro Arts family.
- Michael Cottier, Chair, Metro Arts
A wealth of knowledge.
Karyn seamlessly project-managed a new build for me over a number of months. I found her to be professional, organised, and an excellent communicator. She brought a wealth of knowledge to the project that resulted in a finished build that was beyond my expectations. I could not recommend her more highly!
- Clare Sourgnes, CEO, Artisan
A wealth of knowledge.
Karyn seamlessly project-managed a new build for me over a number of months. I found her to be professional, organised, and an excellent communicator. She brought a wealth of knowledge to the project that resulted in a finished build that was beyond my expectations. I could not recommend her more highly!
- Clare Sourgnes, CEO, Artisan
Smooth design and fit out.
Before I began the process I had no idea of exactly how much was involved, and I am so glad that I had the team from Setting Up Shop there with me the entire time. The design and fit out ran so smoothly and this was all thanks to them. If you’re doing a fit out, relocating, or opening a business you need Karyn and Ali on your team! I can’t thank them enough!!
- Alannah Read, Owner, Ella & Jade
Smooth design and fit out.
Before I began the process I had no idea of exactly how much was involved, and I am so glad that I had the team from Setting Up Shop there with me the entire time. The design and fit out ran so smoothly and this was all thanks to them. If you’re doing a fit out, relocating, or opening a business you need Karyn and Ali on your team! I can’t thank them enough!!
- Alannah Read, Owner, Ella & Jade
Smooth design and fit out.
Before I began the process I had no idea of exactly how much was involved, and I am so glad that I had the team from Setting Up Shop there with me the entire time. The design and fit out ran so smoothly and this was all thanks to them. If you’re doing a fit out, relocating, or opening a business you need Karyn and Ali on your team! I can’t thank them enough!!
- Alannah Read, Owner, Ella & Jade