The Brief
Client and location: Existing private client, 257 Narborough Road, Leicester
Sector: Retail
Service provided: Agency & Development: Letting
The Challenge
Innes England’s existing client occupied the wider property, including the Morrisons Daily store on Narborough Road, but identified that part of the accommodation was no longer required and was effectively being used as surplus storage space.
The opportunity was to separate and repurpose the space as a self-contained commercial unit and secure a suitable tenant that would provide the client with an additional income stream while making more effective use of the property.
The Solution
Innes England applied its knowledge of the Leicester retail market and occupier requirements to identify a suitable tenant and negotiate terms that worked for both the landlord and occupier.
Repositioning surplus space: Innes England recognised the potential to bring the underutilised accommodation back into productive use as a self-contained unit. The 1,536 sq ft ground-floor space benefits from a prominent frontage onto Narborough Road, a major arterial route into Leicester.
Securing a strong occupier: Innes England secured BOYLE Sports, one of Ireland’s leading bookmakers with more than 390 betting shops across Ireland and the UK. The letting represents BOYLE Sports’ first store in Leicester, bringing an established operator to the location as it continues to grow its presence in the UK.
Balancing landlord and tenant requirements: Dillhan Sharma worked closely with BOYLE Sports to understand the requirements for its new Leicester store while negotiating terms that also met the client’s objectives.
Supporting a new use for the property: The transaction involved a change of use to Sui Generis to enable BOYLE Sports to operate from the premises. Following completion, the former storage space has undergone a comprehensive fit-out to create a dedicated betting shop.
The Results
Surplus space brought back into use: Previously underutilised storage accommodation has been transformed into a fully fitted commercial unit, maximising the use of the client’s existing property.
Established occupier secured: BOYLE Sports has taken the space for its first Leicester store, bringing an established national and international operator to Narborough Road.
New income-generating space created: The letting has enabled the client to make productive use of accommodation that was no longer required as part of its existing operation.
Successful change of use and fit-out: The premises secured the required Sui Generis use and have been comprehensively fitted out to meet BOYLE Sports’ operational requirements.
“It was great to work with BOYLE Sports, one of Ireland’s leading bookmakers, as they continue to grow their presence in the UK. Seeing the unit transform from surplus storage space into a fully fitted betting shop has been particularly rewarding, and it has been great to be involved in the process from start to finish.”
Dillhan Sharma, Surveyor, Agency & Development, Innes England
“We’re proud to be opening our newest shop in Leicester and to become part of the local community. This latest opening forms part of the renewed £100 million-plus investment in the UK that we announced last year, reflecting our long-term commitment to bringing the BOYLE Sports experience to more customers across the country. I would like to extend my thanks to Dillhan Sharma at Innes England and Mark Chappel at Samy Group, who acted for the landlord but supported myself and the wider BOYLE Sports team to achieve lease completion and develop the unit into what is a great looking new shop.“
David Cooney, Acquisitions & Estates, BOYLE Sports UK
“A coordinated team effort has enabled the successful re‑use of previously fallow space at Narborough Road. We extend our thanks to Dillhan and the entire BOYLE Sports team, especially their fit‑out contractors who delivered a highly professional installation with no disruption to our ongoing trading operations. The BOYLE Sports letting has introduced complementary activity to the site and has effectively activated an area of high street that had remained dormant.“
Mark Chappell Commercial Director – Samy Group Ltd
Conclusion
The letting at 257 Narborough Road demonstrates how proactive agency advice can unlock value from underutilised commercial space. By identifying an opportunity within the client’s existing property and securing BOYLE Sports as the occupier, Innes England helped transform surplus storage accommodation into a new income-generating retail unit.
The completed transaction has also enabled BOYLE Sports to establish its first Leicester store, supporting the operator’s continued expansion in the UK and bringing a prominent vacant space on Narborough Road back into active use.