Unlocking Value: Aiding Croydon Council in Transforming Surplus Property into Opportunity

At the start of 2025, Croydon Council launched an ambitious three-year programme to review and dispose of their surplus property assets. Terracotta Property was brought in to assist on the project in partnership with Ambercycle Consulting. Our goal? To help the council unlock the hidden value in underused or vacant sites across the borough.

A Diverse Portfolio

The properties we’ve been working with are as varied as they come. The portfolio includes everything from car parks and industrial estates to retail units, residential homes, and a former quarry. By carefully assessing each asset and understanding its market position, we’ve been able to develop bespoke strategies that are already delivering strong results.

Surpassing Expectations: The Numbers So Far

To date, we’ve completed pre-disposal assessments for 31 properties. These reports have helped identify a combined potential value of over £24 million which is more than double their original book value of £11.6 million.

One standout example: six properties originally valued at just £425,000 have already sold for over £3.75 million. And we’re continuing to agree sales that are exceeding all expectations.

A Smarter Sales Process

To support the project, we’ve built a dedicated listings platform where interested buyers can register, view available properties, and submit offers through an automated bidding form. Most sales so far have been handled through informal Tender. While others are being prepared for auction via BidX1. This approach has helped us reach a wide pool of buyers while keeping the process efficient and transparent.

What’s Next?

This is just the beginning. With another 40 new properties expected to be brought forward in the autumn, the programme is set to play a key role in helping Croydon Council meet its financial targets while making better use of its property portfolio.

We’re proud to be part of a project that’s not only delivering strong financial returns but also helping to shape a more efficient and sustainable future for public assets.

If you want to keep up to date with the latest information about the Croydon projects, then register your interest here.