office moves – London Office Buzz

5 Expert Tips on the Best Way to Find Commercial Office Space to Rent in London

Posted on May 22, 2024

A late afternoon view of St Paul's Cathedral between the glass sides of two buildings. Image at LondonOfficeSpace.com.

Finding the right commercial office space in the UK’s bustling cities, especially in London, is not just about square footage or the number of rooms; it’s about discovering a place where ambitions meet opportunity, where businesses can thrive and flourish. The right office spaces can inspire creativity, improve productivity, and make a lasting impression on clients and partners. In contrast, a poorly chosen space can lead to inefficiencies, decreased morale, and even lost opportunities.

We understand that the journey to finding the right commercial space can seem daunting, especially with the vast amount of options in London. However, with the right approach and guidance, this process can be streamlined and even enjoyable. As part of our commitment to support businesses in their growth journey, we’ve crafted this guide to simplify the process. Our promise to you is straightforward: by the end of this post, you’ll have a clear, step-by-step roadmap to navigate the London commercial real estate market with confidence.

Continue reading “5 Expert Tips on the Best Way to Find Commercial Office Space to Rent in London” →

The Best Postcodes in Central London for Your Office

Posted on June 9, 2023

Dusk view down the River Thames of the illuminated Tower Bridge spanning the river with a purple and blue cloud-strewn sky in the background and riverbanks lined with buildings with postcodes in Central London.

Following the widespread adoption of remote work during 2020 and 2021, the majority of industry sectors are returning or have already returned to the office.

During this period, employee expectations regarding the office environment have changed. For example, many companies now report that staff increasingly demand shorter commutes, dedicated collaboration and relaxation space within the office, and upgraded amenities.

As a result, many business owners are considering downsizing and/or relocating their offices so the new location meets the needs of existing staff and future hires.

Since location is a key consideration, let’s look at what the most desirable central London postcodes are for your office in 2023 and beyond.

Continue reading “The Best Postcodes in Central London for Your Office” →

How to Craft an Office Relocation Announcement (w/ Samples)

Posted on December 2, 2022

When it comes to office relocation announcements, there are a few key things to remember. First and foremost, you want to make sure that the announcement is clear and concise. You don’t want to overload employees or clients with too much information at once. Secondly, you want to be sure that the announcement is formatted in a way that is easy to read and understand. Finally, you’ll need to think about how you will disseminate the information. There are several ways to do this, and we’ll be exploring just some of your options in this blog post!

Young happy businessman and a business woman with boxes for moving into a new office. Studio shot, isolated on a white background

Continue reading “How to Craft an Office Relocation Announcement (w/ Samples)” →

Company Relocation: Preparation & Planning

Posted on August 1, 2018

Relocating an office or company can be a lengthy and costly process. It can also be a stressful time in a company’s life for employers and employees. There are a range of considerations that must be top priorities when moving to a new office. These range from legal responsibilities to design and layout considerations to employee well-being and relations. This is the first in a four part series on company relocation, a subject we’ll be covering in depth over the coming months.

Company Relocation: Preparation & Planning

A successful move involves a lot of planning. Establishing requirements and priorities for a new location during the early planning stages will help inform decisions down the road. It will also establish a vision or objective for the move that will guide the entire process. Engaging with affected parties such as employees and clients will also help ensure the appropriate site is selected. It will also help reduce confusion and anxiety that inevitably is associated with a move. As a result, communication with employees, clients and other stakeholders is crucial to ensure a seamless move.

Continue reading “Company Relocation: Preparation & Planning” →

Advice for Growing Businesses – Expanding Office Space Requirements

Posted on June 15, 2016

A growing business presents both challenges and rewards. While as a business owner you are proud to see your enterprise grow, that success presents challenges of its own. A growing business needs more room for employees, storage and other space. An office needs to be able to work for you and meet your business needs. When you are hiring more staff or need more room as your operations expand, here are a few tips to help you as you outgrow your space.

Home to Offices: Making the Transition

Many small businesses start in a home office, especially if you are an owner-operator or sole trader without employees. While you have the option of signing up to a virtual office or using hot desks and other temporary office solutions, there reaches a point where you might not be taken seriously without a dedicated office space to meet with clients, customers and others.

As businesses grow, commercial premises become a necessity of doing business. There are also practical benefits of having your own office space. You can have your own address for commercial purposes, as well as dedicated phone and IT systems. You also benefit from meeting space and accommodation for your employees.

When to Make the Move

Whether you are moving from your home office or smaller business accommodation, there are a number of reasons why you might opt to upgrade your office space. Obvious signs that you should move include noticing that you are running out of space to provide services, produce your goods, or accommodate your staff, customers and clients. You might also recognise the need for better facilities, such as improved IT systems or enhanced meeting spaces. Generally, the main reasons for making a move are the lack of space to do business or you are hiring more people. Continue reading “Advice for Growing Businesses – Expanding Office Space Requirements” →

Company Relocation: Office Relocation Checklist

Posted on September 10, 2015

The fourth in our series on Company Relocation

Planning is crucial when relocating. To help plan for an office move, the following checklist outlines important steps to consider when relocating.

The Planning Stage

During the early stages of planning for a move, it is important to consider the company’s needs and goals for the new location. Understanding these will help inform the design of the new space, as well as facilitate a smooth relocation.

Ensure you:

– Choose a relocation team that is led by a senior-level champion
– Clearly define roles and responsibilities for affected departments and parties
– Engage employees and seek input
– Engage stakeholders, including board members, regulators, clients and suppliers
– Define goals and priorities for the new location
– Define needs for the new location, including amenities, services and storage space

The Development Stage

Once priorities have been identified and affected groups are engaged, the relocation process moves into the development stage. At this point, budgets and plans should be drafted. Sites should also be explored and narrowed down to identify the new office pace. Continue reading “Company Relocation: Office Relocation Checklist” →

Company Relocation: Relocating your Office

Posted on August 6, 2015

The third in our series on Office Relocation

Relocating an office can be both exciting and stressful, as well as being one of the most expensive decisions made by a company. This makes planning vital for a successful move. The following outlines key considerations when moving a company, from early planning stages to the actual move into new office premises.

The first step in relocating is to identifying the team responsible for organising the move, including a senior-level champion who will make decisions. Roles and responsibilities should be clearly identified for each departments involved in the planning process, including finance, facilities, IT, operations, marketing, human resources and senior managers. Moves can cause stress and anxiety, and keeping staff informed is a good way to avoid misunderstandings and confusion. Staff should have opportunities to provide feedback and access information about the move throughout the process. In some cases, engagement with trade unions and employees directly affected by the move is required under the Information & Consultation of Employees Regulations. Other stakeholders may also need to be engaged, including the parent company, board members, department heads, and regulators.

Finding the right location

Prior to planning a move, companies should identify requirements and priorities for the new location. Defining these will help ensure that the right location is identified. The location should have good access to potential employees with the skills needed to support the company. Consider transportation links and services, including public transport, highway and road access, and parking. The new location should allow employees to have a reasonable commute from their home and also be easy for clients and others to visit. There should also be local amenities for employees, such as shops, restaurants and other services. Once a site is selected, a full survey should be carried out to determine the condition of the building and identify potential issues that may affect costs as well as the design of the new office.
Continue reading “Company Relocation: Relocating your Office” →

Company Relocation: Relocating People and Employees

Posted on July 2, 2015

The second in our series on Company Relocation

When a company relocates within or outside of the United Kingdom, they may also relocate their employees. From time to time, companies may also be required to relocate staff to other cities or countries. This might be the result of opening a new office or trying to meet operational requirements by having enough resources in different locations. Companies need to consider the rights of their employees when relocating people. At the same time, employees need to understand the conditions of their employment contract when they are asked to move.

Whenever a company relocates, employers are responsible for ensuring the rights of their employees are respected. This includes respecting the terms of any mobility clause in an employee’s contract. A mobility clause outlines the conditions and limits when an employee must move. This clause normally allows companies to force their workers to move, in accordance to the terms outlined in the clause. Employers are not required to provide compensation for employees if they relocate, unless this is identified in the employment contract. Employers must ensure that any request to move is reasonable. For example, asking an employee to relocate outside of the UK with only one day’s notice or if the move would affect the employee’s children’s education would not be considered reasonable requests.

It is important for employees to fully understand their employment contract and mobility clause, if present. Any employee with a mobility clause in their contract must move at the request of their employer unless they prove that the request to relocate is unreasonable. If proven that the move is unreasonable, the clause may not apply and the employee can request alternative arrangements. Employees without a mobility clause have the option to choose whether or not they wish to move. Continue reading “Company Relocation: Relocating People and Employees” →

Company Relocation: Relocating People & Employees

Posted on March 31, 2015

When a company relocates to new business premises, they may also relocate their employees. From time to time, companies may also be required to relocate staff to other cities or countries. This might be the result of opening a new office or trying to meet operational requirements by having enough resources in different locations. Companies need to consider the rights of their employees when relocating people. At the same time, employees need to understand conditions of their employment contract when they are asked to move.

Whenever a company relocates, employers are responsible for ensuring the rights of their employees are respected. This includes respecting the terms of any mobility clause in an employee’s contract. A mobility clause outlines the conditions and limits when an employee must move. This clause normally allows companies to force their workers to move, in accordance to the terms outlined in the clause. Employers are not required to provide compensation for employees if they relocate, unless this is identified in the employment contract. Employers must ensure that any request to move is reasonable. For example, asking an employee to relocate outside of the UK with only one day’s notice or if the move would affect the employee’s children’s education would not be considered reasonable requests.