With investors keen to remove their funds from exposure to weakening confidence in parts of the economy like property and the financial sector, the feeling has been one of an impending recession.

The serviced office sector has been quite resilient to the ups and downs in the economy having weathered the downturn on 2008 remarkably well. The move then to look for short term property solutions to reduce long term risk meant that serviced office operators saw the longest period of sustained growth in its fifty plus year history.

The flexible workspace market has seen a number of mergers recently with new acquisitions taking place almost every month. When combined with the expansion of many providers like Citibase and Club Workspace it’s clear the sector is ploughing on regardless of the current economic climate. In a recent interview with Landmark CEO Richard Gill, Green Kinnear co-founder, Douglas Green says the recent consolidation in the sector looks set to continue in the short term and he goes on to talk about the expansion plans of a number of leading providers.

It may be still too early to say what will happen over the next six months, despite some analysts from UBS saying London property prices could fall by as much as 20% this year. This has been revised up from their previous estimate of 15% but it should also be noted that even at the very highest UBS estimate, this expected decline is a far cry from the 44% drop between 2007 and 2009.

These days the market is different from those unpredictable days of the so-called downturn. The banks exposure to commercial property debt is down from its £150bn peak in 2009, to around £85bn today.

With house prices stalling in the three months before the referendum, many experts have predicted a fall in prices in the months ahead, especially in London and Scotland. Markit chief economist Chris Williamson said, “This is the first time that prices have failed to rise in London since late 2012 in the quarter before the vote.” However, in July things are looking up. According to Knight Frank the negative outlook has failed to materialise, with London house sales up 38%, fueled by an influx of foreign investors attracted by the low pound.

This see-saw effect makes it very difficult to predict which way the property sector will go next, but all eyes are on the top property funds in the weeks ahead to see if current losses deepen or improve. With the appointment of Theresa May as the UK’s new Prime Minister this week, bureaucrats in Europe and the world financial markets are watching closely to see how she deals with the UK’s exit from the European Union.

Watch Theresa May’s full speech as Prime Minister below:

Video courtesy of ITV News

So watch this space to see what happens next. We will post updates as the situation develops.

About the Author

Stephen Moore is a writer and marketing consultant supporting businesses in the commercial property sector. Find out more about Stephen at Google+.

The post The Post Brexit implications for the Serviced Office Sector appeared first on Loc8 Commercial Blog.

But what are the key things to consider before you commit to that nice new office you just looked at? Well before we go any further we’d suggest doing your homework before you even take a look inside an office location. You could just be wasting your valuable time if you haven’t defined what is important to your business.

So what are the top office shopping list items you should tick off before you make that big office move?

Here is our serviced office space shopping list priority top six:

1. Size Matters

One of the biggest benefits of serviced offices are that they can grow with your business. In the good times and not so good times, a serviced office can flex with the success of your business. It’s this ultimate flexibility that makes them such a good bet for a new or expanding business. In these uncertain times after the EU referendum, flexibility is going to be vital to ensure you don’t over commit to long leases.

2. A Great Chair

Many people will tell you (and you’ve probably experienced it too) that a good chair pays dividends when it comes to employee well-being. We’ve all sat on hard and uncomfortable chairs over the years. Posture is highly important for people sat at a desk for eight hours every day. So a really great chair with excellent lumber support is a must. Test them out when you take a tour of any office space. Road testing the space should be a high priority. After all you could be working there. So it should be comfortable for you and your employees.

3. Water Cooler Moments

It’s great to have an open plan office but some thought should be given to spaces that promote team interaction. We’ve all heard the typical examples of the meetings around the water cooler so try and create spaces for people to meet. A kitchen to make beverages or some soft seating creates spaces where employees can make calls and catch up with colleagues. However, it’s not always possible to have these areas in an office for just three or four people so make sure there are similar spaces located in the serviced office centre.

4. How good is the Broadband?

We’re all connected 24/7 these days so it’s easy to just expect everywhere to provide good Wi-Fi or connected broadband. If you are a creative business upload speeds could be an important consideration so make sure you ask about bandwidth limits and charges for additional bandwidth. You certainly don’t want any unexpected surprises when you move in.

5. Journey times

Who wants an overly long commute? In these days when flexibility in the workplace is an important consideration for people taking a job one of the vital things to consider when looking at office locations are the local transport links. The more options the better really. For example, if you look at Bank in the City of London, it boasts several mainline train stations within a ten minute walk, the Docklands Light Railway linking the area to Canary Wharf and the City Airport, five Tube lines and half a dozen bus services. It’s one of the reasons this location is highly desirable.

So check what’s available at the offices on your shortlist. We can advise you and you can always ask at each location. Some may even have car parks, but always ask if this is included or an additional charge.

6. What’s for lunch?

It’s easy to think there will be somewhere close by to get lunch or even a local bar for after-work drinks. We would always suggest looking at the amenities in the local area. Some office locations have their own cafes and even a “sandwich man” or sandwich lady”. Never under estimate the many benefits that a choice of local shops, supermarkets and cafe’s provide for your employees.

This is just six of many things to consider. We could go on but our “office shopping list” will provide you with everything you need when you look at your next office. It’s also good if it’s your first office space too.

Download our SERVICED OFFICE CHECKLIST MARCH 2016

The post What should be on your Office Space Shopping List? appeared first on Loc8 Commercial Blog.

Quality office space brings many benefits to a business and when it’s done well it can create a positive environment where teams can flourish. In a recent article on Fast Company, Kay Sargent, director of workplace strategies at infrastructure solutions provider Lend Lease said, “In the last four to five years, we’ve all been focusing on sustainability and the impact technology has in an office. During this time, we’ve forgotten that we’re designing for people. Now there’s a real focus on trying to maximise human potential, performance, and productivity.”

OFFICE SPACE WITH PEOPLE IN MIND

Designing office space with people in mind has taken a major leap forward since 2014. According to Miguel McKelvey, cofounder and chief creative officer of coworking office space WeWork, productivity is about enabling collaboration in the workplace.  He said, “With the popularity of open floor plans, it’s certainly important for people to have a sense of privacy. People need a space that they can go to make a conference or Skype call.”

One important reason to make sure your office space is well designed is the rise in work place stress. According to the Office of National Statistics one in five employees is suffering from work related stress. Leading US expert on workspace, Monica Parker from Morgan Lovell said, “Every decision in the workplace has a profound impact on workforce wellbeing, and an office is the living, breathing representation of a company. It should be the duty of any socially responsible employer to create a healthy, engaging environment for their staff. And, while the recession has tightened purse strings, showing people how they are valued in hard time’s results in less sickness, higher retention and ultimately better performance.”

The increased cost associated with better office locations can often be outweighed by the considerable benefits that employees will find from easier access to transport links, often reducing journey times to work and the added benefit of great local amenities like cafes and shops. Improvements to the work-life balance can reap huge rewards for businesses that place their employees at the heart of the decision making process when seeking new office space.

REMOTE WORKING IS THE NEW DESK SPACE

Many businesses are embracing remote working, but not everyone wants to work from home, preferring to travel to a place to avoid the usual distractions around the house. Peter Thomson from the Henley Business School said, “People still need to meet to exchange ideas, so the office has to change to be more like a place to have meetings, rather than just doing the work.”

He went on to say, “Not everyone can or wants to work from home. Many of us actually enjoy travelling to a separate workplace, which can offer an opportunity to socialise, to make friends and, in some cases, even partners. Yet business owners would be wise to learn how changing their office environment can make their offices more happy, productive and creative.”

One of the more diverse elements affecting productivity can be smell. In 2014 office provider Avanta commissioned a team led by Ruth Mastenbroek the former president of the British Society of Perfumers, to create Ascent, a bespoke scent designed to improve brain activity. “Smell is the most powerful of the senses, and is best able to influence brain activity,” says Mastenbroek. “Aromatherapy probably isn’t the first tool you’d think of to stimulate your business productivity, but perhaps it should be.”

So the real cost of badly designed and not well placed office space can be the huge impact on productivity and staff retention, two important issues that can have a significant impact of the sales of a business and ultimately customer satisfaction.

This year we have looked extensively at both office location and office space design, highlighting the importance of both to the success of businesses all over the UK.

FURTHER READING

You can read our articles on location and office space design by clicking below:

Office Location, Office Location, Office Location

Top Tips for Choosing the ideal Office Space

About the Author

Stephen Moore is a writer and marketing consultant supporting businesses in the commercial property sector. Find out more about Stephen at Google+.

The post What are the Real Costs of Poor Office Space? appeared first on Loc8 Commercial Blog.

However, one of the biggest problems facing today’s entrepreneurs are the many distractions that can impact productivity and effectiveness during the crucial early stages of a new business.

According to Guy Clapperton writing for Forbes, many entrepreneurs and home workers face three major obstacles, which are adequate technology, over working and isolation. All making an impact on a person’s ability to work effectively.

Now, we are not advocating every new business owner takes a full time office to overcome these problems, but what we can do is highlight the many options that are available that could help improve productivity and at the same time, drastically improve the image of your business and new brand.

Co-working is the new Home Working

One of the easiest and most accessible solutions without breaking the bank in the early stages of any new business is a Co-working membership. Earlier this year we featured WeWork and their extraordinary rise in the UK. With new locations opening in 2016, they provide affordable membership options that solves two of the main disadvantages of home working. Firstly, it removes the problem with home Wi-Fi speeds. These locations have invested thousands of pounds in the latest technology to ensure all their members stay connected. The second problem they solve is the sense of isolation. WeWork provide networking and useful seminars every month as part of their membership. It’s a great way to get involved and meet other like-minded business owners with the same problems you have.

Bumping up the Company Image when you Need to

One of the easiest solutions to the old problem of meeting clients somewhere respectable and not just Starbucks, is meeting rooms. There is such a wide choice on offer everywhere that it’s easy to find a quick and easy solution to meet clients and business partners.

Meeting rooms are not as expensive as you might think. Most can be booked by the hour or day at very competitive rates and usually with short notice. So there really are quick and affordable options at every new business owner’s immediate disposal.

When a Home Office Doesn’t Cut the Mustard

Did you ever stop to think how your home address would look on your business cards? You’ve worked hard to establish your new brand and created opportunities to build your business at the same time as working from the end of your bed. But will your clients and customers spot you don’t have a proper place of work? Possibly.

Business image is an important part of the process of establishing brand loyalty. A good business address can really help to set you apart from your competition. Great locations also don’t cost the earth when you take a virtual office.

So what is a virtual office? Well it’s simply an office without the office. A virtual office provides all the visible aspects of having a full time office but without the space itself. Simply put its using a business address and call answering service to provide a professional outward appearance.

These services allow you to put the business address on your business card and website, creating the illusion that you have office space in the building, with your calls answered by a receptionist so you never have to miss another call or take a nuisance sales call.

Get the Balance Right

These three very flexible solutions can also be used together to create something that works for you. That could be an initial Co-working membership and the use of meeting rooms when you need them. Or continue to work from home using a virtual office address and use meeting rooms as and when you need to meet clients.

Whatever you decide the most important thing is to make sure you take in to account the cost of these services and the benefit they will bring to your new business. The obvious solution to carry on as you are may be why 50% of new businesses fail in the first couple of years according to Theo Paphitis.

About the Author

Stephen Moore is a writer and marketing consultant supporting businesses in the commercial property sector. Find out more about Stephen at Google+.

The post Entrepreneurs Can Escape their Home Office Prisons appeared first on Loc8 Commercial Blog.

Great views are often hard to come by in big towns and cities with many offices overlooking the buildings they are next to. A view of water can be quite difficult to find in a busy business district, but we know there are a number of locations that offer waterfront views, with everything from the river Thames to the quayside developments around Canary Wharf and Media City in Manchester.

Here are five brilliant office locations with waterfront views to die for:

Clipper Quay in Salford

The waterfront in Salford, Manchester has been revitalised in to a leading tourist destination as well as a busy new business district in the North West. Boasting its own Imperial War Museum it also has the Lowry Outlet Mall with many top designer brands. There are also many places to eat and some great bars with views across the water.

The waterfront has attracted many top businesses like the BBC who famously relocated here from White City in London.

Our featured serviced offices offer 32 office suites for 2 to 8 people and have beautifully crafted British made furniture. Along with outstanding IT, this location is ideal for any business looking for a truly impressive business address.

TAKE A LOOK HERE

Harbour Exchange Quay

There is a lot to be impressed about in Canary Wharf. The area is now London’s second financial district with several of the UK’s tallest buildings which includes One Canada Square that can be seen as far away as Harlow and the M11 motorway.

Canary Wharf has several shopping malls with a variety of stores including Waitrose and Monsoon as well as a wide variety of places to eat. There are many great bars and restaurants right on the waterfront and even an interesting museum is located here too, dedicated to the history of the docks.

The serviced offices at Harbour Exchange Quay is an impressive office location providing a great address for any business. It boasts great views across the water and a pretty outdoor terrace and breakout areas.

TAKE A LOOK HERE

Cardiff Bay

Cardiff Bay has undergone a considerable redevelopment and is now home to the Welsh Assembly building, shops and bars as well as many residential properties and office space.

This waterfront area is impressive to say the least. There is an array of small boats that come and go and the area is a popular tourist location with many activities going on throughout the year.

Our featured office here is a striking building that’s been well designed and takes full advantage of the bay views. These stylish offices are complimented by a number of well equipped conference facilities and boasts on-site parking which is a real plus in this part of the Welsh capital.

TAKE A LOOK HERE

Temple Quay, Bristol

Bristol is a thriving and busy city with a number of interesting locations like Queens Road with its shops and close proximity to the university and Temple Meads which has easy access to road and rail links. One of the prettier areas is the waterfront which has seen extensive redevelopment and now boasts several top restaurants, hotels, bars and places of interest.

Our featured serviced office location has an enviable waterfront position and great office space options for any size business. One of the great benefits of this location is the excellent in-house canteen serving delicious hot and cold food throughout the day. It also boasts lots of the usual services you should expect, like 24/7 security and access as well as comfortable office space and meeting rooms.

TAKE A LOOK HERE

Savoy Street, London

London riverside office space usually comes at a premium but our featured office space here has a lot of excellent facilities and enviable views across the Thames.

This prestigious WC2 postcode is well placed and has been refurbished to take advantage of the natural light. The views are what set this location apart from other locations that are close by. The transport links make this office space easy to get to and it’s close to the many shops and restaurants of Covent Garden and the West End make it ideal for any business. It’s also within easy reach of the vibrant Southbank with its riverside restaurants and bars, the BFI and IMAX cinema.

TAKE A LOOK HERE

The choice right across the UK is breathtaking. So whether you need to be in the South West, Central London or the North West there is a great choice of office space with great views of the water.  If you haven’t seen a great location here, get in touch with a member of our team who can talk you through the options.

Then sit back and enjoy the view!

Looking for office space that’s a little out of the ordinary? Read more HERE

The post Finding the ideal Waterfront Office Space appeared first on Loc8 Commercial Blog.

We set about looking at our extensive portfolio of office locations and came up with five really outstanding and unusual serviced office locations.  Each one has many unique features that set them apart to make them a very unusual home from your business. They will certainly strike up an interesting conversation with your clients.

Alice through the Ceiling

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to have a meeting surrounded by the Mad Hatters Tea Party? No? Well I bet we’ve made you start thinking.

Tucked away in Waterloo, a busy and popular business district on the south side of the Thames is this business centre on Boundary Way, SE1. From the outside you would be forgiven for thinking it looked like many smart and professional office buildings. But wait until you go in the front door. Just like Alice, you will be transported to a wonderland that’s a world away from the usual office space you may have expected. And just like Alice in Wonderland, this serviced office centre has a new surprise around every corner. From the smart white corridors to the Alice themed meeting rooms and break out spaces, there is never a dull moment here.

Take a peak in to Alices world HERE

Upcycled Shipping Containers

There has been a huge surge in the use of unusual materials in the construction of offices in recent years. With everything from living garden walls in South London and huge screens showing waterfalls in the Salesforce Tower, it’s no wonder that something as unusual as old shipping containers should find a second use as the inspirational home to new businesses.

After the success of the Container City development in London’s Docklands in 2005, there is a new and exciting location using shipping containers, opening in 2016 in Loughton, Essex. Cr@te has developed an idea to create an environment to inspire entrepreneurs out of their home office and in to a small business community. It’s a bold plan that will see 36 former shipping containers transformed with full height doors and windows and dynamic interiors.

Get a taste of the future HERE

A Victorian Gem

When a building can successfully combine its historical heritage with the requirements of modern living you get to enjoy the many benefits of looking at great design and craftsmanship every day. In 1871 this building opened in Deansgate in central Manchester and featured a wealth of outstanding wrought iron work that was integral to many great Victorian buildings of the time, like the cathedralesque train stations at Paddington and Liverpool Street, for example.

The Deansgate building is an inspiring space, restored in the 1980’s and retaining all of its Victorian splendour coupled with modern office space and all the usual things you would expect like good Wi-Fi.

Take a step back in to Victorian splendour HERE

Impressive Palladian Columns

Grade one listed buildings don’t come more impressive than the Royal Exchange, opposite The Bank of England in the City of London. This outstanding building not only occupies a prestigious location it also has great transport links across London and Canary Wharf.

Home to a wide choice of designer stores including Hermes and Mont Blanc, this building dates back to the 16^th century when it was designed by Thomas Gresham as a centre for commerce in London.

So this serviced office business centre offers both private offices and Co-working space and is popular with start-up’s and entrepreneurs looking for a great location for their businesses.

Find out about The Royal Exchange HERE

It’s all in the detail in Farringdon

We’ve been impressed over the years by many buildings we have featured here at Loc8, but only a few really capture the spirit and feel of a period building like 24 Greville Street near Farringdon. This impressive Victorian building has been meticulously restored to make a feature of the grand high ceilings and the original wooden floors. It’s like walking back in time but the give-away is the stunning interior design. This is not a stuffy Victorian interior! It’s bright and airy and the whole feel of the place has created a very exciting workspace.

So it fits well in to the area too. Just a stone’s throw from Farringdon station, this location has a real buzz about it and has attracted businesses in the creative sectors as well as start-up’s and growing small and medium sized businesses looking for a little inspiration.

Check out an eye for the real detail HERE

As part of our series of features on stand out office space we will be looking at waterfront properties next. You can catch up on our previous articles that have covered everything from interiors to the debate over period or glass buildings, as well as the rise of Co-working spaces. Click the links below:

Period or Glass? The big office space question

What Makes the Perfect Office Space?

Why Workspaces Can Inspire Creativity and Collaboration

Happy Reading!

The post Serviced Office Space that’s a little out of the Ordinary appeared first on Loc8 Commercial Blog.

The benefits of home working are well documented but it’s also easy to see why lots of people find home working a challenge. With the television and the kitchen beckoning it’s easy to succumb to distractions. It’s also difficult to tune out to the usual family noise and maintain a closed door policy in the home that allows you to get on with work.

It’s fair to say the move to an office outside the home will add to your commute but it will allow your business to be seen in a whole new light. Just having a prestigious address creates a credible impression for future customers and clients, and gives you a great place to meet them.

Making Your Commute Longer

A great way to get started is to look at what location is right for you and how it impacts on the commute for you and your team.  We looked at Location in our blog “Office Location, Office Location, Office Location”.  So take a look at our location tips to make sure the decisions you make are the right ones.

What’s Available

These days there is a wide choice open to you when you make the bold leap out of your home office. Flexibility is now a popular feature with providers offering flexible short term agreements with many not requiring a deposit. This means your initial outlay can be quite low. With Serviced Offices the term “easy in and easy out” is often applied to demonstrate the relative flexibilty and speed to both get started and potentially move on later.

What to do first

We all use sites like Compare the Market, Go Compare or even Hotels.com to make choosing the product or service we need as easy as possible. Selecting the right office space should be no different. An independent workspace broker like us can provide impartial advice and a quick reference opportunity to shortlist the ideal locations for your business. That way you get to see the entire market in one place. We provide an easy search portal that works on any device and allows you to shortlist possible solutions.

Here are the options you could consider and a brief outline of each one:

Co-working

The recent explosion in Co-working places has been a great advantage to small business owners trapped in their home office but are not quite ready for a full-time office of their own.

So how do they work? Essentially, Co-working is a large communal workspace, usually well designed and very comfortable. They often provide access to meeting rooms and private offices and generally have a membership rate which can be added to for other services.

Each location has great Wi-Fi and the opportunity to network with like-minded business owners, which is a far cry from the isolation and domestic distractions home workers often experience.

We have put together several great Co-working options for you to give you an idea of what is available:

Corsham Street, London N1 

Westland Place, London N1

Rivington Street, London, EC2A 

Virtual Offices

When is an office not an office? When it’s a virtual one! A Virtual Office is a quick and simple way to get a great business address and enhance your company’s profile without the cost outlay of a full-time office.

This option is ideal if you need to work on the move as it’s very easy to find a meeting room to use for important company meetings using our service.  A Virtual Office also allows you to control your initial outlay as set-up costs are significantly lower than a full-time office.

Here are some popular business addresses that provide virtual office solutions in the City of London:

No1 Poultry, London, EC2R

Royal Exchange, London, EC3V

Lombard Street, London, EC3V

Serviced Offices

A serviced Office comes in all shapes and sizes and there are a lot of considerations to take in to account when you start your search. One of the best advantages of a Serviced Office is the flexibility they provide. You can literally move straight in and the space can grow with you. With low set-up costs and transparent terms, each location will provide outstanding internet connectivity that will be faster and more reliable than your home Wi-Fi.

With Location as perhaps the most important consideration, its vital you consider not just transport links. Your office should also be close to your clients. Earlier this year we also talked about the 20 best locations for office space which you can read here.

The sheer choice of options can be a little overwhelming even if you have a very specific search area. So keep in mind that our experienced team can guide you through this veritable minefield of options.

Here are some great examples of Serviced Offices which offer outstanding interiors, great service and an amazing first impression for your clients:

Russell Square, London, WC1B

Stratton Street, London, W1

Colmore Circus, Queensway, Birmingham, B4

For a more detailed outline all you need to do is get in touch and talk to a member of our team. Simply call 020 3031 8563 or visit www.loc8commercial.com

The post When is the right time to take your first Serviced Office? appeared first on Loc8 Commercial Blog.

These new buildings have helped to increase available office space in the City and across The West End by over seven million square feet and more will be opening during 2016 and beyond to keep up with the growing office space shortage.

But the UK’s office stock isn’t just about new shiny glass buildings; there is a wealth of period office space available if you know where to look.

Here are three of the best glass locations and three of the best period locations you can find in London when you search our extensive database of potential office space for your business.

Office Space in Glass

The choice in London has grown in the last ten years with the opening of several new skyscrapers. Here are just a few from the many we feature on our site.

1. The Shard

The obvious choice has got to be The Shard, Europe’s tallest building, offering a number of different size options to suit most businesses. The biggest feature here has to be the views. It’s also well placed for great transport links across London and Kent. There is a wealth of useful information about The Shard and the local area at London Hut, that could help to make a decision to locate your business in The Shard rather than the period buildings in the local SE1 area. Visit London Hut to find out more about this stunning building.

Find out more here

Availability: 3 – 30 persons

Terms: 3 – 24 months

2. One Canada Square

It’s hard not to be impressed by this famous landmark building. Once Europe’s tallest building; it commands spectacular views across the city and South East. With great transport links that will boast Crossrail in 2018, this location is ideal if you want to impress your clients.

Find out more here

Availability: 1 – 200 persons

Terms: 1 – 36 months

3. Old Broad Street EC2N

This former home of The London Stock Exchange is an impressive re-build with serviced offices on the 6^th and 7^th floors with views across London. Just a short work from Bank and Liverpool Street its ideal for any business looking for a stunning City office location.

Find out more here

Availability: 1 – 200 persons

Terms: 1 – 36 months

Office Space with a little Character

But what if glass is not your thing. Here are several beautiful period offices we’ve selected from the huge number on our site that are sure to impress. Each one offers modern office space with all the amenities you should expect but all set in stunning period surroundings.

1. Tokenhouse Yard, EC3

A magnificent grade II listed office building. Carefully restored to show off its best assets, the beautiful detail in the stone and brick work, these offices are well positioned for Liverpool Street and Moorgate stations.

Find out more here

Availability: 2 – 18 persons

Terms: From 3 months

2. Hanover Square, W1

This impressive grade II listed property is set in one of London’s most beautiful Georgian squares. And it doesn’t disappoint when you get inside. It has an impressive central staircase with office space set out over six floors.

Find out more here

Availability: 1 – 100 persons

Terms: From 3 months

3. Lothbury, EC2R

Period offices don’t come much more impressive than this. With huge columns, the reception is really impressive. The location is ideal for transport links at Bank and Liverpool Street and it’s surrounded by the familiar landmarks of the Bank of England and The Royal Exchange.

Find out more here 

Availability: From 3 persons

Terms: From 3 – 36 months

What next?

It’s very easy to get confused by the wealth of choice when it comes to locations. The first step in your search should be to create a shortlist using our easy to use search tool. Then, one of our experienced team members will guide you through the options offering impartial advice and will arrange a number of viewings for you.

So whether it’s going to be glass or period, one thing is certain. We can guarantee to give you all the facts to make the right choice.

The post Period or Glass? The Big Office Space Question appeared first on Loc8 Commercial Blog.

With the referendum looming on 23^rd June, there have been many polls asking UK voters how they will vote when faced with their ballot paper in the booth on the big day. But what do UK business owners think?

Loc8 Commercial invited 500 UK business owners to answer five simple questions on the Brexit argument. The results show that among this group, there is deadlock, with 46% in favour of a British exit from the EU and 46% wanting to stay and just 8% undecided either way.

Will the UK be Better Off Out of the EU?

When asked “would the UK economy be better off if the country left the EU?” businesses responded by saying yes with just over 50% compared to the 43% that said no.

Our survey had some mixed results which could support the theory that many people are simply not sure what impact Brexit will have on the wider economy. For example, 38% of businesses thought a recession would be more likely despite more than 50% agreeing Brexit would be good for the UK economy.

The impact of Brexit on Jobs and Wages 

Brexit campaigners have said that there could be some short term growth issues but the long term forecast would be generally positive. Ian Duncan Smith said he believes the downward impact on wage growth is down to European migration, something that has been mentioned throughout the debate. But what is not clear is the impact of wage inflation on UK jobs if the country votes to leave, especially as productivity is not rising at the same rate as other European countries according to the Office of National Statistics.

Our survey found that just under 40% of UK businesses think there would be job losses if the UK voted to leave, with 31% feeling confident there would not be any immediate job losses. Of all our survey questions, this was one of the highest with businesses not sure which way they would vote.

The immediate impact of Brexit on the UK Economy

This week the head of the World Trade Organisation, Roberto Azevêdo, has said in an interview with the Financial Times that the UK would find negotiations for trade deals slow and time consuming following an exit from the EU. As a result there would be an impact on the UK economy which could lead to a recession in the short term. Our survey supports the views of Mr Azevêdo with 38% believing a recession was likely. However, there is an equal number between those who are unsure and those that believe a recession is unlikely.

What are the Big issues worrying Businesses about EU Membership?

Both sides of the debate have argued that there is either too much or very little EU red tape. These confusing arguments haven’t helped the debate. Last month The Treasury cited the LSE Centre for Economic Performance report which stated, “it is unclear whether there are substantial regulatory benefits from Brexit”. Businesses that took part in our survey however, think red tape is the biggest issue affecting their ability to do business easily. In addition, the regularity of new EU regulations is the second biggest issue with 35% citing this as a concern, well ahead of immigration, which had a zero score from the businesses that took part.

The Big Day

With the big day looming  in under four weeks, many businesses are still unclear how to vote partly due to the confusion and the largely negative campaigning from both sides of the debate. If you are still unsure, we have put together several useful links below to help give you an impartial view about the facts.

Brexit Resources

Here are some useful links that help to explain the referendum issues.

Open Europe – A full report on the affects of Brexit and the types of membership of the EU.

BBC News – A summary of the issues from the BBC news team.

Carter Jonas –  A report on the impact of Brexit on UK property.

The Week – A general overview of the facts around the referendum.

The post Is Brexit going to be good for UK businesses? appeared first on Loc8 Commercial Blog.

With confusion growing, a large proportion of the electorate have yet to be swayed either way, something that is blamed on the negative campaigns about the benefits to business and the wider UK economy of EU membership. However, many polls are suggesting the vote could be swayed in favour of Brexit by the number of over 65’s who turn out to vote.

According to YouGov’s Stephan Shakespeare in an article published in The Times, his company’s online polls have corrected for this indecision and now represent a true snapshot of public opinion. He said “the deep human drive to avoid risk is likely to become increasingly powerful as we get closer to a real decision which cannot easily be changed once it is made.” The result, he says, is that “whatever the state of the polls today, it is impossible right now to predict the level of change in people’s views yet to come”.

This is by far one of the most important votes in recent memory, along with the Scottish Referendum in 2014, as the long term implications on the UK economy could either be positive or negative for future generations.

So what are the pro’s and con’s for UK businesses? We’ve looked at some of the main arguments on both sides.

Here are the pros:

• UK businesses and especially SME’s often see the EU trade regulations as unnecessary red tape especially in sectors like food and consumer goods. Leaving the EU would allow the UK Government to change these regulations, making it easier for businesses to sell their goods.
• The UK contributed over £13bn last year but received more than £4bn in support. By not paying £8bn to the EU it is believed that this saving of around 180 Euros per person in the UK would raise the prospect of tax reductions that could directly impact businesses regardless of size.
• Many believe the UK could have the same benefits as Iceland who are members of the European Economic Area (but not the EU) which comes without the confines of the red tape that is part of full membership.

And the cons:

• Some parts of the UK economy like farming could be hit hardest because of the loss of EU farming subsidies.
• There are several free grade agreements that the UK benefits from through its EU membership. Brexit would mean the country would have to negotiate agreements with these areas like Latin America for example.
• UK goods and services could be more expensive because of tariff changes that would be inevitable for businesses that trade in European countries outside the EU.
• The lack of import taxes within the EU helps UK businesses compete equally with other businesses across the continent. If the UK left there could be increased uncertainty which could have a negative impact on business growth in the future.

These pros and cons are responsible for so much uncertainty among UK businesses and voters, with many saying the campaigns for both sides of the European argument are not making it clear enough to make a decision on the big day.

The impact on the flexible workspace sector would be dependent on the challenges faced by SME’s and the large businesses that use serviced office space, managed space and flexible solutions. The sector has seen exceptional growth over the last few years with a growing number of workspace providers and increasing occupancy levels in areas that struggled during the down turn like Bristol, Manchester and the North East.

TAKE THE LOC8 COMMERCIAL SURVEY

To gauge the potential challenges faced by the growing sector we have put together a short survey to seek opinion from businesses across the UK. It takes under a minute to complete and we will publish the results from 23rd May.

CLICK TO TAKE THE SURVEY

About the Author

Stephen Moore is a writer and marketing consultant supporting businesses in the commercial property sector. Find out more about Stephen at Google+.

The post Will Brexit Affect your Business? appeared first on Loc8 Commercial Blog.