Stuart Woodward, a business consultant for White Rose Finance, suggested that as soon as small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) actually owned a commercial property, they would be accruing additional equity.

Mr Woodward explained how firms renting an office space would eventually leave with nothing gained.

"If you've got some property then you've got some equity; you can arrange loans against them," he explained. "If you're only a tenant then the odds are you'll be unable to raise additional finances if and when you require them."

Mr Woodward did concede, however, that in the beginning it might benefit firms to go into a property as a tenant and reconsider after their business is established.

But he insisted that SMEs would not be able to raise any money from the property if they're not the freeholder, adding: "The only way to raise money would be if you are a householder who has spare equity on that property."