Flexible offices are becoming increasingly popular among businesses of all sizes and industries, and for a good reason. They offer many benefits, from cost savings to increased productivity and employee satisfaction. But why should flexible offices be a part of any organisation’s real estate strategy? Here are just a few reasons:

1. Cost Savings: Traditional office spaces can be expensive, especially in prime locations. But with flexible offices, businesses only pay for the space they need, whether that’s a few desks or an entire floor. This can lead to significant cost savings, especially for startups and small businesses that may not have the capital to invest in a traditional office space.

2. Increased Flexibility: One of the most significant advantages of flexible offices is their inherent flexibility. They can be used for various purposes, from temporary project spaces to long-term offices. And because they are often equipped with multiple amenities and services, businesses can quickly scale up or down as needed without long-term commitments.

3. Improved Productivity: Flexible offices are designed with productivity in mind. They often feature open floor plans, comfortable furniture, and access to amenities such as coffee shops and fitness centers. This can create a more relaxed and collaborative working environment, increasing productivity and employee satisfaction.

4. Access to Talent: By having a presence in a flexible office, businesses can gain access to a broader pool of talent. Many flexible office spaces are located in prime locations, making attracting and retaining top talent easier.

5. Increased Agility: In today’s fast-paced business environment, agility is critical. Flexible offices allow businesses to quickly adapt to changing circumstances, whether that’s a new project or a shift in business strategy. This can help businesses stay ahead of the curve and remain competitive.

   

In summary, flexible office space is essential to any modern business strategy. It offers a wide range of benefits, from increased agility and cost savings to improved productivity and access to talent. So if you’re not already embracing flexible office space, now is the time to start. Your business and your employees will thank you.

We help you find the perfect flexible office based on your requirements. Give us a call to discuss on 020 3031 8563.

#flexibleoffice #agility #costsavings #productivity #talentaccess #flexibleworkspace

The post Flexible Offices must be part of your real estate strategy appeared first on Loc8 Commercial Blog.

Here are some tips to help get you started.

Making your office more pet-friendly

Why having a pet-friendly office is good for business.

Pets in the office help reduce stress, which is good for both employees and the business. They provide a sense of companionship, which can lead to increased productivity and creativity, as well as socialization opportunities. Pets also serve as a reminder to take breaks, get up and move around. These factors contribute to a happier, healthier, and more productive workplace.

How to make your office more pet friendly

Designate pet-friendly areas in your office, and provide pet amenities such as water bowls, food bowls, and designated play areas. You can also establish pet policies, such as no pets allowed in meeting rooms or on furniture. And, of course, be sure to enforce these policies!

The benefits of a pet-friendly workplace.

Improved morale and productivity

Pets in the workplace provide an opportunity for employees to take a break from work and relieve stress. They also increase employee interaction, leading to improved morale and productivity.

Some reasons for this are that animals provide a non-judgmental listening ear, they offer an excuse to take a break from work, and help people feel more relaxed and comfortable around others. Pets provide a sense of comfort and support. They can make people feel loved and appreciated, boosting their mood and motivation.

Second, having pets around breaks up the monotony of the workday. They provide a bit of variety and stimulation, which can keep people more engaged and attentive.

Health benefits for employees.

Pets in the workplace can lead to health benefits for employees in many ways. For example, pets can help reduce stress levels, leading to lower blood pressure and a reduced risk for heart disease. Additionally, having a pet in the office can help increase socialization and communication among coworkers, leading to a positive and healthy work environment. Finally, pets can also provide an opportunity for employees to get some exercise during the workday.

Improved company culture

Pets in the workplace can help to improve company culture in a few ways. For one, they can help to break the ice and create a more relaxed, informal atmosphere. They can also help to reduce stress levels and promote teamwork. And finally, help increase employee productivity and creativity.

These are essential factors in creating a positive work environment and cultivating strong company culture. In addition, having pets in the workplace can also be beneficial for the employees themselves. It can provide them with some essential companionship, socialization, and exercise during the workday.

Tips for creating a pet-friendly office

Here are the tips for creating a pet-friendly workplace:

1. Establish a policy that allows pets in the office.
2. Designate an area where employees can bring their pets to work.
3. Provide food and water dishes for the animals and ensure they are cleaned regularly.
4. Ask employees to clean up after their pets and to keep them under control at all times.
5. Warn employees not to leave their pets unattended in the office and have a plan for what should happen if an animal becomes disruptive or poses a safety hazard.

Pets can make our lives more fun and fulfilling; the same goes for our work lives. Offering pet amenities like water bowls, feeding areas, and comfortable places for pets to rest can make your workplace more pet-friendly and inviting.

Some Flexible workspaces allow employees to bring their dogs into the office, and many spaces have designated areas for pets to play and relax. This can be a great way to promote productivity and creativity, and it can also help to reduce stress levels. Additionally, these flexible pet-friendly offices can help to create a more relaxed, informal atmosphere among coworkers.

If you’re looking for methods to enhance company culture, reduce stress levels, and increase productivity, making your office pet-friendly may be the answer. Pets in the workplace provide many benefits that can lead to a positive work environment for employees.

With the simple steps and tips mentioned above, you can create a more welcoming and pet-friendly workspace for you and your furry friends!

Alternatively if you’re building doesn’t allow pets, take a look at our offices that are already set up to accommodate our furry friends Dog-Friendly Office Space to let – LOC8 Commercial

The post From the water cooler to the dog bowl: How to make your office more pet friendly appeared first on Loc8 Commercial Blog.

The Right Environment: Don’t you find working from home you just have so many distractions? The kids shouting during school holidays, the phone ringing with old relative looking for a catch-up, the cat meowing at your feet. It’s almost impossible to work at your peak performance, stay focused and to work your way through that ‘to do list’ effectively. Having the right environment will boost productivity: your own desk in a smart place, giving you the time you need to really knuckle down. As an entrepreneur, it’s also important to establish a positive work-life balance, which is why having a separate environment – helps you to draw a line between your professional and personal lives. (See here for 5 of the coolest offices in the world: https://loc8commercial.com/blog/5-coolest-offices-world/ Make your space your own!)

The Right People: They say your network determines your net worth, and who you surround yourself with plays a crucial role. Co-working helps to connect you to like minded people, working alongside others who have the same drive as you. Build valuable working relationships, discuss ideas, analyse processes or results and broaden your own knowledge in areas they specialise in too. Often you’ll be working in a space that has people from different business sectors with different skill sets, which can become a valuable asset for you. Co-working amongst entrepreneurs encourages innovation, sparks a little healthy competition and gives you a real sense of community. It provides excellent networking opportunities throughout the whole building and means that as you grow your business: you don’t need to feel alone.

Flexibility: Flexibility is at the core of everything that co-working is about. You’ll have: – Flexible Contracts: Unlike standard office renting, co-working spaces don’t have the long-term commitment with set durations or terms. Instead, you can hire the space on a month-by-month basis, with the option to extend for up to two years: depending on how it’s going and what you’re looking for. Need to upsize or downsize? No problem! It’s hassle free and incredibly convenient.– Flexible Seating: Members of a co-working space can move around depending on their needs. Got an important pitch to work on? Sit in an isolated desk allowing full focus. Got lots of calls to do and want to work alongside others for motivation? Sit within the central part of your office space. You can even hire conference or meeting rooms within your building, at just a fraction of the price: making your business look more professional.– Flexible Schedule: Now although it’s important to have a work-life balance, often- as we look to grow our business around other commitments, we need to have flexibility within our schedule. The great thing is, co-working facilitates exactly for that, with most spaces allowing 24/7 access. This means you can start as early as you want/ need, finish as late as you want/ need, and come & go as much as you like throughout the day. Often, you’ll find others doing the same too, which is always encouraging.

Cost-Effective and Affordable: We understand budgets can be tight when you’re starting out. You need to invest money in the right areas and manage your ongoing costs on a daily/ monthly basis. Now often: renting out an entire office block for yourself or your small team- it’s actually out of the question. It doesn’t really make sense! Co-working on the other hand, is simply a fraction of the price. which makes it a far more feasible option. As mentioned above: contracts with co-working are flexible and most offices are kitted out with everything you need, from computers to phone lines, plus of course desks and chairs! They also tend to have reduced overheads, because most providers include all the expenses in one fixed monthly fee. This makes it easier to manage in terms of budgets and becomes far more economical.

Everything You Need and More: Co-working is designed for entrepreneurs and small business owners, giving you access to all the essential resources. Wifi is always strong, phone lines are clear, stationery is shared and you’ll even have all the cleaning done for you (because we know you don’t always have time for that!) Goodbye mess, hello efficiency! Many co-working spaces also have an abundance of meeting rooms, security, supportive staff and many even host regular events/ coffee mornings within the building to get you interacting further with like minded people.

Yep, it is pretty neat! To find out more about co-working spaces within your area, give us a shout on 020 3031 8563. We offer free, impartial advice; helping you to find the working environment that’s right for you.

The post Why Co-working is the Perfect Solution for Entrepreneurs appeared first on Loc8 Commercial Blog.

You ready? LET’S GO!

It’s All in The Mindset – To actually become the most productive person around, you must first decide to be so… Get committed to it, and keep it in your mind throughout the day so that if you find yourself wasting time, you can quickly get back on track. Don’t beat yourself up about any of your past habits or failures; and certainly don’t compare yourself to anyone else. Instead focus on what you’re working to achieve now and know that you can do it. See, making the decision and committing to it is half the battle. Once you’ve made up your mind, you will begin to challenge yourself to see just how much you can accomplish in any given day. You’ll start to find things that work for you, changing your habits to optimise productivity and keeping that momentum and motivation going, to see more and more of the results you want in your work and your life.

Get Organised – How can you expect to get everything you want done, if you’re not even clear on what exactly that needs to be? The solution?- Knowing your short-term and long-term goals, and then planning your workload the night before to ensure you’re creating the stepping stones to get you there. Write a list, running through all the things you MUST do and then all the things you SHOULD- which you can only move onto once all the essentials have been ticked off first. This is important, because it’s all about prioritising and not getting distracted. If you find new things you need to do throughout the day- don’t do them immediately (unless that’s required)- instead pop them on the ‘after’ list so you don’t need to worry about forgetting, but can work through it at a better time. This helps to deal with overwhelm and gives you a more strategic approach. You also need to keep looking at your list and thinking more about the outcomes, as oppose to the actual tasks themselves…

– What is my outcome in all of this? What’s really important and taking me closer to the end goal?

– Is everything on my list really needed?

– Are there any things I can do in a different way which would be faster, but still get me to that end goal I need?

– Is there anything on here that can be delegated or outsourced to save time/ increase effectiveness?

Getting lots done, doesn’t always mean you’re getting the most out of your day. In fact, the 80/20 rule says that you often get 80% of your results from 20% of the things you do. So doing more of the 20% is the best way to skyrocket your success. Make sure you’re spending your time on the most important things; taking the time to really analyse what you’re doing and why. When you plan your day the night before, you also wake up ready to hit the ground running knowing exactly what you’re doing and where it’s going to get you.

The Hour Of Power – Now there’s lots of different things you can do to organise your work and plan your day; it’s all about finding what works best for you. We are however aware that procrastination is the silent killer, so to destroy this and really ‘get things done’, get into the routine of using the first hour of your day, as soon as you’re all set up and ready to work- to tackle those things you LEAST want to do, but know are actually the most important. This will set up your day in the right way, giving you a greater sense of achievement and starting how you wish to go on! Try it, it works!

Dealing With Distractions – So we know what we want to achieve, we’re in the right headspace to achieve it, but inevitably things are going to happen throughout the day to try to steer us off course. Phone calls, emails, people coming in and out your office, demands, distractions. It’s normal. To ensure they don’t take us off-path however, we have to stay focused. As mentioned above- use lists to get organised and those new demands that come in throughout the day- write them down for when your main priorities have been completed. If you work in an office, set up a “Do Not Disturb” sign when it’s time to get important work done. If you work from home or outside of an office, set a policy so people know not to call or interrupt you during certain time blocks. Schedule calls so you can plan around them, allocate your time wisely and get that head knuckled down when it needs to be!

Refresh, Recharge – Now no-one can be a complete working MACHINE. And if you are- you’ll start to burn yourself out if you’re not careful and then what good are you?! Short breaks throughout the day are important. It helps to keep concentration high and avoid a brain-block. The best way to take a break is to not stay sat down at your desk but instead get up, get moving and that blood circulating properly again! To make a habit of it- take time at lunch to go somewhere that takes you away from the office environment. Have your food, have a lunchtime stroll and you’ll come back with a clear, focused mind- ready to tackle the rest of the afternoon head on! If you’ve also completed a big job, get up, give yourself a pat on the back, have a quick stroll around, a glass of water, maybe grab a quick piece of fruit then get back, ready to crack on with the next job! It doesn’t need to be long, but this burst of movement and energy will make all the difference. Diet also plays a big part in productivity, staying hydrated, staying healthy. What we put into our bodies greatly affects our focus, energy and well-being throughout the course of the day, so you may find it’s worth looking into this more too

Whatever you do: make sure you have clarity and direction. Time is one of our most valuable things. It’s something we can never get back. Commit today to getting more from your day, and I promise: you will never look back…

It’s also important to have the right working environment to maximise productivity. If you’re looking for a new space- get in touch for free, impartial property searching and advice. See our full services here:

Written by Blue Monkey Social Media

The post How To Increase Productivity: Getting The Most Out Of Your Day appeared first on Loc8 Commercial Blog.

Start-up businesses by new and serial entrepreneurs are one of the most exciting things happening to our business economy. We have seen a huge rise in new companies forming over the past couple of years. Most aim to keep their overheads low and often launch from the comforts of their own home or coffee shops.

Most start-ups are self-funded but a lucky few are heavily backed meaning they can grow from a bedroom business to having a global presence in no time.

Start-ups used to mainly appear in industries like Tech, Media, Product and Fashion but we are seeing a pattern towards Property, Finance, Education and Healthcare.  The rise of Virtual Reality, Big Data, Artificial Intelligence, Wearable tech, Automation and mobile means that these industries are growing quicker than ever before.

It’s easy to be intimidated by bleak statistics where 8/10 start-ups fail in the first 18 months.  This is evident in the lack of start-ups that IPO in 2016 but we expect a huge number of new start-ups to go public. Who could they be?

1.    AppDynamics

2.    Snapchat

3.    HotelTonight

4.    Spotify

5.    Qualtrics

6.    Cloudera

7.    Dropbox

8.    Blue Apron

9.    Stich Fix

10. Airbnb

It’s public knowledge that AppDynamics and Snapchat have already filed to go public this year and we are confident of many more.

These companies fill many different office spaces with some having more than one office. Take a look at these offices we have available for you to rent and experience working in a similar environment to these great start-up –

The Shard, SE1 – https://loc8commercial.com/office/serviced-office-to-let/976/london-bridge-street-london-se1

Shoreditch/Old Street – https://loc8commercial.com/office/serviced-office-to-let/1493/westland-place-london-n1

Kings Cross – https://loc8commercial.com/office/serviced-office-to-let/750/east-side-kings-cross-station-london-n1c

Soho – https://loc8commercial.com/office/serviced-office-to-let/1029/sheraton-street-london-w1f

Chelsea – https://loc8commercial.com/office/serviced-office-to-let/1536/fulham-road-london-sw3

The City – https://loc8commercial.com/office/serviced-office-to-let/1028/devonshire-square-london-ec2m  

Whether you are a start-up, SME or a more established company we are sure to have an office solution to suit you. Please give us a call to discuss on 020 3031 8563 or alternatively search online via www.loc8commercial.com

The post 10 Start-Ups – Watch this space appeared first on Loc8 Commercial Blog.

After noticing a gap in the market for a social media marketing agency for SME’s, I launched The Social Shop late in 2013 after spending 8 years working my way up recruiting for the marketing and advertising agency sector.

Knowing I had 3 month’s wages in the bank to support me whilst I got the company off the ground, my first aim was to make sure I could cover my mortgage. I did what I knew best and used LinkedIn as a new business platform; luckily my first client came in the shape of a well-known restaurant in Camden. 

As one client turned into two, then five and then ten, I had to make a decision on an office. My overheads had to increase and in order to be taken seriously, I needed an office space. I moved into a space that my first client owned which was helpful as I didn’t have a clue where to find available office spaces! This first space in Camden was great as I was working alone. However, as I hired my first employee and my client base was growing, I needed to move somewhere neutral so all of our clients were treated equally. 

I was paying a lot for this space but had nothing else to compare it to, the 3 month notice period also didn’t seem a problem when I signed up. I quickly realised that as my cash-flow was forever up and down, being tied down to a contract with anyone was a commitment and I couldn’t stick to it for too much longer.  Therefore, we went from our own office space to a co-working incubator in Camden by a start-up called ‘Work.Life’. https://work.life/ 

‘Work.life’ was great; We were one of the first businesses to move into their first office. We were suddenly in a creative working environment with others in similar industries which was quite motivating. In addition, this space came with free tea, coffee and biscuits! Those that know me know I like to eat a lot of biscuits and drink a lot of tea, so the saving alone was fantastic!

We had access to free talks, events and were networking with new companies on a daily basis. However, I slowly realised the flexible work space in London was becoming hugely popular and there were other options that were not only more affordable, but more accessible than Camden. We were only there for 6 months but it supported 5 of us including interns. We met lots of SME’s that were in the same situation as us and the flexibility of being able to cancel our contract with 4 weeks’ notice was great.

We were very close to moving into Work.Life’s second office, a new space in London Fields, Hackney, as this was closer to where I lived. However, the desk cost was the same and contract restrictions were the same which wasn’t beneficial.

Whilst I was looking for a new flexible working space, I attended a networking event at a small incubator in Old Street which had a big personality; It was called ‘Launch 22’ based in Corsham Street. http://www.launch22.co.uk/

This place was just as cool, albeit with less capacity and free biscuits. However, it was slightly more affordable and in the heart of Tech City; A location that adds a huge amount of value to our credibility. Launch22 is a registered charity with 2 branches in Liverpool and London. Since joining we have become part of the family, a group of small businesses looking to grow with free mentorship and support from the large network of people associated with the incubator. The best thing about Launch22 for us is that we can cancel our monthly rolling contract anytime with 1 weeks’ notice. Being a small company, things can change for us on a monthly basis so this level of flexibility being in the heart of the city is awesome!

I have seen the pop up of many new but more expensive flexible workspaces around me over the past few years. I now understand there are office brokers like Loc8 Commercial, who are the best people to speak to about finding a suitable office space for your business. Speaking to office brokers reduces the timeframe and personal stress of finding somewhere new. Loc8 provide a free and impartial overview of the market and is very helpful in the way that they can give us new options that we may not have known previously. Add to the fact they gave us an insight into the workspace industry then it’s a win win.

If we were currently looking to move offices we would want to view the following 3 options from looking at Loc8’s website:  

Serviced Office to let: Curtain Road, London

https://loc8commercial.com/office/serviced-office-to-let/1682/curtain-road-london-ec2a

Serviced Office to let: Westland Place, London

https://loc8commercial.com/office/serviced-office-to-let/1493/westland-place-london-n1

Serviced Office to let: White Lion Street,

https://loc8commercial.com/office/serviced-office-to-let/1033/white-lion-street-london-n1

The post Guest Blog: Why we chose to work in a flexible workspace appeared first on Loc8 Commercial Blog.

Become this…….

Most jobs across the country consist of employees working together for around 8 hours a day, 5 days a week. This means you spend more time with your work colleagues than with loved ones. Do you make an effort to get to know your colleagues outside of the office when the pressure of workflow and deadlines is off?  Is it ever off?  It is common in the workplace to go for after work drinks. Would you go so far as to call your fellow employees friends?

Like all relationships in life there are ups and downs and this is no different with work friendships as time, money, pressure, hierarchy, jealousy and team dynamics can all get in the way.  

Senior Management are always looking for alternative methods to get work colleagues spending even more time together. Onsite laughter workshops, team bonding activities, cocktail making, weekend breaks abroad all promote a positive and friendly atmosphere. These activities are supported by uplifting music, movement, relaxing and even meditation techniques

It’s not uncommon for work colleagues to find themselves in a situation where they’re not universally loved within their workplace.  you will rarely find an office or entire team/ department that truly enjoy being in each other’s company 8 hours a day, 5 days a week. It’s natural for there to be tension, and often some grudges. The fewer compromising positions people put themselves in the fewer problems they should have with others at work.

On the flipside of this, it is well known that people spend so much time together at work that their friendship and professional working relationship becomes more serious and develops into a romantic relationship. This again has many pro’s and con’s but I think we should save this topic for another time.

Most organisations these days especially in co-working spaces contain a diverse group of people from different backgrounds, skills, cultures and interests. These differences can collectively make a company or team stronger, they can also be the source of conflict too.

To summarise, our advice would be to get to know your co-workers. Take time to learn about your co-worker’s life and interests outside of the office but keep the lines of professionalism clear. A popular way to do this is by spending your lunch or coffee breaks with different people. This will help to grow your internal network, in addition to being a nice break in the work day.

The post Should You Hang Out with Co-Workers Outside the Office? appeared first on Loc8 Commercial Blog.

For most of us the office is not just a great place to work or get motivated. You may have worked in an office that has tired old brown carpets, furniture falling apart and desks with coffee stains on that have probably been there for 10 years.

 
The rise of tech companies has famously tried to buck this trend, showing their employees they have the ‘best’ work culture and environment to maintain their interest for long enough that they won’t have their head turned when headhunted on a daily basis. From start-ups to MNC’s they are furnishing staff with all the free food, pool tables and ‘music jam’ rooms they could possibly want. This certainly isn’t for everyone and if you are wondering what the hell we are talking about. Read on……

If you are passing Hoxton Square in East London make sure you detour to see the TREExOFFICE for yourself. It’s an ‘unsocial-able social-able’ space that shouldn’t work but does. It not only works but people have reportedly been more efficient and driven in this space. Some say it’s down to the lack of disruption although if someone in the room is on the phone it’s fair to say you will feel involved in the call.

This urban office is built on stilts around a tree. The pop-up has eight seats with power and wifi available to rent. You can also book this space for small company meetings or pitch opportunities to impress prospective clients. However, if you need the loo, well that is one mod con you won’t find here. There are of course lots of public places nearby but if it’s raining or snowing you may get wet. “It is made of compressed paper with see-through plastic and translucent polycarbonate,” says architect Kathryn Timmins. This is good for the environment, but also helps workers feel at one with nature.

 
Perched above a converted warehouse called Village Underground in Shoreditch is one of the most unusual and exciting workspaces in London. On a disused underground train. If you are fortunate enough to visit this space you surprisingly won’t feel as trapped as you could in an office.

 
The trains were stripped of their mechanical parts, then carefully lifted on to the building by cranes in 2007. It was part of a project to make affordable working spaces for artists. As we all know Shoreditch is very well known and respected as an area for creative and artistic types and seems to be growing with all sorts of interesting characters.

Since 2007 many have seen the advantages of leaving the coffee shop environments for these special places. Working in an open, creative and unusual location can be inspiring if not scary at times.

 
People that work in these spaces don’t conform to the typical 9-5 jobs. It wouldn’t be crazy to see a member of staff arriving at 10.30am and leaving at 9pm with lots of ‘creative’ breaks throughout the day. It has been suggested these locations are more relaxing environments and allow you to ‘get in the flow’.

 
One question we have, how good is this space in the middle of winter?

 
For those that get the train to work then spend 8+ hours a day on a train for work, we are keen to hear from you and if it’s as cool as it looks?

Multi-National Companies like Google have taken this concept and expanded it on a much larger scale. They also offer soft benefits that will make you want to never go home, these range from free meals, free gym membership, free coffee, ride to work schemes, discounts off Google products oh and being the first in the world to know how they are helping change the world with technology.

Whether your business is looking for something funky and unusual or something a bit more traditional Loc8 can assist in finding you the perfect office for your business. Give us a call to discuss on 020 3031 8563 or alterntiavely get your search started here

The post The UK’s most unusual Workspaces 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

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There are high profile openings by one of the newest businesses in the flexible workspace arena, WeWork, opening two new centres in Paddington and the City as well as the continuing growth of market leader Regus in Ashford and elsewhere.

The flexibility that serviced offices provide has seen businesses from high growth sectors like Fintech, Business Consultancy and Recruitment take space right across the UK. As the economy moves cautiously forward in 2016 despite a number of developments like the Brexit referendum and the global economy wobbles in China and Brazil, these UK business sectors are out -performing the rest. Top of the pack is the ballooning Fintech sector providing new and transparent financial products in a market that has been tainted by the recent banking crisis.

1. Fintech growth needs space that can grow with it

With the dramatic rise of Fintech as a sector since 2010, a significant number of companies are now featuring in the FTSE 250 and Forbes 500. This sector is a keen user of flexible workspace solutions across the UK, attracted by the easy in and easy out benefits that serviced offices and Co-working can provide.  As companies go through rapid growth they seek out flexible solutions that allow them to keep a tight control of costs in the current volatile world economy.

Fintech businesses globally have seen an increased level of investment in the sector that’s five times higher than it was in 2010 when it first emerged. 2016 looks set to be the biggest year yet in the sector with new businesses emerging and increased investment.

2. Flexibility is vital for Recruitment businesses

One sector that has seen its fair share of changes since the economic downturn in 2008 is the growing recruitment sector. With UK employment at an all time high in the last year, the latest unemployment figures show a fall of 60,000 in the number out of work between October and December 2015. There are now 1.69 million people out of work, according to the Office for National Statistics, with the total unemployment figure at 5.4%. This has been good news indeed for recruitment businesses keen to tap in to this growing number of available UK jobs.

One of the important aspects of managing recruitment business costs is looking for flexible solutions like serviced offices. Providing the ability to scale up or down, recruitment businesses have been important advocates for the flexible workspace sector for many years.

3. Consultancy services flourish in the new economy

The significant rise of the business services sector has continued for some time. It can be no surprise that Lloyds Bank placed consultancy services in their top ten of growing sectors in last year’s growth report. Many of these businesses are using flexible workspace solutions like Co-working spaces so they can be close to their existing and future clients.

With many consultancy businesses made up from the three million self employed people in the UK, an important factor that supports their growth is the tight control they need to have on their  business costs. Services like Co-working spaces provide consultants with a solution that allows them to work close to home helping reduce transport costs and improve productivity that can often suffer when working from a home office.

Looking ahead

The flexible workspace sector continues to develop and grow attracting more businesses from high growth areas of the UK economy. As businesses look for even better value and tighter control on their costs, flexible solutions will continue to be vital to the sustained growth of these companies in the year ahead.

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