MORE than a third of small businesses in the West Midlands have had problems finding suitable accommodation.

More flexible lease terms from landlords are being called for to help remedy the situation.

The findings have emerged from the Spacia Small Business Property Monitor 2001.

Collated from research conducted exclusively for Spacia by Taylor Nelson Sofres the Monitor is the first in an annual survey of small business property needs.

In an index of Property Search Confidence, 38 per cent of small businesses interviewed by TNS in the region had had difficulty in finding accommodation with location and budget the most commonly cited problem areas.

When asked what could help them find a property, 65 per cent of those questioned wanted more flexible lease terms from landlords. The next most popular measures were more availability of property close to transport links, and an increase in brownfield development - both cited by 46 per cent of those asked.

Difficulties

"All of us in the property sector have a responsibility to look at the fact that over a third of small businesses are having or have had difficulties in finding accommodation and we need to act on their suggestions to improve the process," said Spacia director Stephen Barrie.

"Finding property shouldn't be a tortuous process for any company - it helps their business to grow if they can get it right first time. Landlords should not just be property providers but a partner in helping small businesses, which are the lifeblood of our regional economies, to grow."