Summary - 7, HOLYWELL HILL AL1 1EU
1 bed 1 bath Commercial Property
Central town-shop with immediate income and strong transport links.
Prominent Georgian-style shopfront with large display windows
Within short walk of St Albans mainline station (strong footfall)
Current income £25,300pa; market rent projected £30k–£32k
Accommodation: ground-floor shop, first-floor showroom/office, small basement
Only four years remain on lease — lenders likely to refuse mortgages
Very high local crime — security and insurance costs likely higher
Small footprint and no external/parking space
Freehold sale but tenant not negotiating renewal (no notices served)
This compact freehold retail unit sits on a prominent high‑street pitch within easy walking distance of St Albans city centre and the mainline station. Large Georgian display windows and high ceilings give strong street presence and straightforward lettability to local retailers or occupiers seeking visibility and pedestrian trade.
The property currently produces a rent of £25,300 with a projected market rent of £30,000–£32,000. Accommodation includes a ground‑floor shop/showroom, split‑level first‑floor showroom/office and a small basement suitable for storage. Transport links are excellent — St Pancras is about 20 minutes by rail — and local amenities and multiple retail operators provide regular footfall.
Important practical considerations are clear and material: the lease on the building expires in October 2025 (only four years remaining) which is likely to deter most mortgage lenders and will affect resale liquidity. Crime levels in the immediate area are reported very high; budgeting for security measures or insurance premiums is advisable. The plot is small with no external amenity space, and parts of the upper floors are modest in size.
For investors this is a central, characterful shop with immediate rental income and short‑term re‑letting or re‑positioning potential. Buyers should take specialist legal and lending advice because the short lease term is a major financial constraint and could require a cash purchase or alternative funding.
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