Our services combine to provide a unified solution

We specialise in shaping commercial environments that enhance the vibrancy and sustainability of mixed-use developments. Our approach to placemaking goes beyond just delivering commercial space - we create destinations that integrate seamlessly with their surroundings, fostering thriving communities and long-term economic success.

We take a strategic and design-led approach to curating the non-residential elements of a scheme, ensuring that retail, leisure, and workspace uses complement the residential offer.

Our expertise lies in streetscape design, public realm integration, and shopfront strategies that enhance footfall, create a sense of place, and drive long-term value for both developers and occupiers. Our development consultancy services support every stage of a project, from early feasibility and financial modelling to commercial strategy and tenant curation.

By embedding placemaking principles into our work, we help our partners deliver high-quality, commercially viable environments that attract businesses, residents, and visitors alike.

By focusing on the intersection of commercial viability and community engagement, we help transform developments into thriving, characterful destinations that stand the test of time.

In an increasingly challenging economic and regulatory environment, registered providers and local authorities must maximise the value and efficiency of their asset portfolios. We specialise in asset optimisation strategies that enhance financial performance, improve occupancy rates, and unlock long-term value.

We work closely with housing associations, councils, and mixed-use developers to conduct detailed assessments of existing commercial and non-residential assets. Our approach identifies underperforming properties, evaluates alternative uses, and implements strategies to drive income, reduce void periods, and support sustainable growth.

For social landlords, asset optimisation extends beyond financial returns. Our strategies consider operational efficiencies, social impact, and long-term community benefits. We focus on ensuring assets serve their intended purpose while remaining adaptable to evolving market needs.

By combining commercial expertise with a deep understanding of the social housing sector, we help our partners create resilient, financially sustainable asset strategies that support long-term growth and community development.

A successful mixed-use scheme relies on a deep understanding of the commercial landscape. We provide tailored research services that assess market demand, identify gaps, and shape commercially viable development strategies.

Our approach ensures that non-residential elements are positioned effectively within the wider scheme, creating places that attract tenants, drive footfall, and enhance long-term value.

We replicate the level of detailed analysis typically conducted for residential elements, ensuring commercial components align with local needs and consumer behaviour.

By embedding research-led strategies into commercial placemaking, we help create schemes that are both commercially resilient and deeply connected to their communities.

‘Meanwhile Use’ refers to interim occupation or temporary use of vacant premises and land. The activation of temporary commercial accommodation is a process which bolsters local liveability by fostering business innovation and experimentation.

We understand that the ability to drive forward development as and when required, is of key importance, and we have come up with a structured solution – via consultation with legal advice – to enable the ability for occupiers to enter into an agreement quickly that does not create any possession issues later down the line.

The utilisation of a specifically designed flexible lease structure provides landlords with the ability to obtain vacant possession in a smooth and efficient manner to coincide with their plans for development.

It is common for developers to ignore opportunities for short-term letting due to perceived negative connotation issues regarding possession. Nonetheless, with the requirement for the temporary use of land and buildings on the sharp rise, we believe this to be a missed opportunity.

Our focused approach to meanwhile use in recent years has enabled us to build an extensive database of flexible commercial operators.

They are waiting to occupy buildings and land of all types, styles and conditions, but this has also provided us with the expertise to maximise interim revenue without compromising plans for development.

Our surveying services are designed to support landlords, developers, managing agents and leaseholders across all phases of a building's life cycle.

We provide expert technical guidance, compliance support and project leadership across a wide range of commercial and residential property matters.

Our team works across planned maintenance, capital works, statutory consents, and leaseholder engagement; delivering a responsive and coordinated service tailored to the needs of complex, mixed-use estates.

We tailor our advice to each instruction, always aligning technical diligence with commercial awareness and client priorities.

These services are rooted in a deep understanding of commercial leasing, placemaking, and tenant mix strategy. Forty Group provides objective and commercially informed advice to developers, landlords, and managing agents across the full lifecycle of retail and mixed-use schemes.

We advise on marketing strategies and pre-letting campaigns, supported by strong tenant and agency networks across both the branded and independent sectors. Our experience spans institutional funds, private landlords, social housing providers, and local authorities, giving us the flexibility to support schemes of all scales and tenures.

We work in tandem with planners, architects, and legal teams to ensure every stage from shell handover to opening is commercially robust and aligned with occupier expectations. We regularly assist in soft market testing during the planning and delivery stages, ensuring that tenant mix is achievable, realistic and reflects current market appetite.

Our tenant engagement is grounded in real-time market intelligence and a practical understanding of what occupiers need - from design and compliance to operational setup. Through early input and strategic advice, we help reduce void periods, increase letability and protect long-term asset value.

We view sales and marketing not as standalone activities but as integral parts of the overall placemaking journey, supporting successful tenant integration and delivering the right offer for the end user.