Allsop’s July commercial auction sees year-to-date sales approach £200m

• 30m raised from 41 lots, in July auction, achieving an 80% success rate
• Total commercial auction sales reach £196m year-to-date

Allsop, the leading property consultancy and the UK’s largest property auction house, has raised £30 million at its July commercial auction, delivering another strong result at its fifth sale of the year. The auction saw 41 lots sold, reflecting a success rate of 80%, demonstrating continued demand for well-priced investment opportunities despite ongoing market uncertainty.

The average lot size reached £713,000, with 10 lots selling for more than £1 million. Strong pricing was evident throughout the sale, with an average uplift of 9% above reserve, while six lots achieved prices more than 10% above their reserves. Investor appetite remained particularly strong for value-driven opportunities, with 12 lots achieving net initial yields of 7% or below.

The largest lot sold was Lot 16 in Plymouth, a hotel and public house ground rent investment let to Whitbread Group PLC until 2095. The property sold prior to auction for £2,450,000, reflecting a yield of 4.5%.

Geographically, 56% of the lots sold were located outside London and the South East, accounting for 59% of total value, highlighting continued investor confidence in regional markets. The retail sector remained the dominant asset class, representing 59% of lots sold and 42% of total value.

Buyer data from the auction reinforces the positive outlook. Purchasers were largely experienced investors, with 85% having previously bought at auction. Cash remained a significant driver of activity, with 77% of buyers completing without financing. Encouragingly, 92% of respondents indicated they would look to purchase again at future auctions, signalling continued confidence in the auction market.

The July auction brings Allsop's total commercial sales for the year-to-date to £196 million, ahead of the £185 million achieved at the same stage in 2025. A total of 264 lots have been sold so far this year, achieving an overall success rate of 89%, compared with 84% in 2025. Notably, 64 lots have exceeded £1 million, compared with 53 during the same period last year.

Alex Neil, Partner at Allsop Commercial Auctions, commented: “Despite uncertainty continuing to temper sentiment across parts of the market, our proactive approach and realistic pricing strategy continue to get deals done and generate competitive bidding. The July results demonstrate that investors remain willing to commit capital when assets are sensibly priced and offer attractive fundamentals. With year-to-date sales approaching £200 million and demand remaining resilient, we remain positive about the prospects for the remainder of the year.”

Allsop's next dedicated commercial auction will take place on Wednesday 7 October, with more than 50 lots already confirmed and further entries expected.

Auction highlights

• Lot 8 - Pontefract - A freehold supermarket investment let to a major supermarket operator in a prominent town centre location. Sold at £1.25m (7.55% NIY)
• Lot 11 - Wigan - A modern purpose-built convenience store investment entirely let to Asda Stores Limited until 2040, with CPI-linked rent reviews. Sold prior to auction at £1.65m (5.7% NIY)
• Lot 14 - Shepherds Bush - A well-located virtual freehold convenience store let to Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd on a recently renewed lease expiring 2035, overlooking Shepherd's Bush Green and close to Westfield London. Sold at £1.3m (6.15% NIY)
• Lot 15 - Sevenoaks - A freehold office investment comprising modern office accommodation and 19 car parking spaces, entirely let to Thackray Williams LLP until 2033. Sold prior to auction at £1.4m (8.08% NIY)
• Lot 16 - Plymouth - A hotel and public house ground rent investment comprising an 84-bedroom Premier Inn and Cookhouse + Pub, entirely let to Whitbread Group PLC until 2095. Sold prior to auction for £2.45m (4.49% NIY)
• Lot 19 - Barnstaple - A freehold industrial investment comprising eight units across two terraces extending to approximately 26,000 sq ft, entirely let to Tritech Precision Products Ltd. Sold prior to auction at £1.55m (7.3% NIY)
• Lot 20 - Bromley - A prominent freehold retail and residential investment comprising four shops, a vacant former dental surgery and a two-bedroom flat, offering asset management and redevelopment potential. Sold at £1.4m (8.68% NIY)
•  Lot 21 - Jarrow A substantial modern industrial investment comprising a 30,226 sq ft factory on a 3.7-acre site, entirely let to Kaefer Limited on a new lease to 2031. Sold prior to auction at £1.75m (8.61% NIY)