Selling a Business: Succession Planning and the Property Question

In short: Many owners struggle with succession because there's no obvious family successor or buyer. Main routes are a trade sale, a management buy-out, an employee ownership trust or family succession. Business Asset Disposal Relief can reduce capital gains tax on qualifying disposals, with the rate rising in recent years, so take tax advice. The premises matter too: owners can sell the property with the business, keep it and lease it to the buyer, or sell separately. Fraser Bond advises on commercial premises, valuations and leases.