office space

Advice for Growing Businesses – Expanding Office Space Requirements

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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” →

A Guide to Company Relocation

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Relocating an office or company to a different area or larger premises is an exciting prospect which can bring about new business relationships and increased opportunities. It can also be a lengthy and costly process, as well as a stressful moment in a company’s life for employers and employees. There are a range of considerations that must be considered when moving to a new office, from legal responsibilities to design and layout considerations to employee well-being and relations.

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.

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London Office Space Growth Areas 2015: Whitechapel

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In close proximity to London’s major financial district Bishopsgate, Whitechapel is quickly rising as a prominent spot for growing businesses. Alongside this excellent locale, Whitechapel is serviced by numerous travel links. Using these links – whether taking the one of the numerous bus lines that service the area or hopping on the underground – Liverpool Street is only 6 minutes travel, while Canary Wharf is only 20. Another advantage of the Whitechapel area is that, as it is approximately three and a half miles from the city centre, the majority of it is outside the congestion area.

The current position of London office space has reached a plateau after a period of growth following a stagnant period. Confidence in the London market remains at a comfortable high, despite the general referendum occurring in 2015. However, as construction rates begin to level off, West End rental rates have begun to rise significantly. As a result of this, many new and already established businesses look to areas of London which have been previously undiscovered – such as Whitechapel. Having transport services to the city centre and other business parks as easily found as those in Whitechapel makes this region an in-demand location. Continue reading “London Office Space Growth Areas 2015: Whitechapel” →

Focus on Business in Lambeth and Southwark

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Are you planning to do business in Lambeth and Southwark? Office space in the two London boroughs are plentiful, with the advantage of being in close proximity to the iconic London Eye, the Southbank cultural area, and within a quick walk of London’s vast bus, rail and tube network.

Major Industries and Employers in Lambeth and Southwark

Two of the biggest employers in Lambeth and Southwark are NHS foundation trust hospitals. Guy’s Hospital at London Bridge, and St Thomas’ Hospital at Waterloo are two of the largest in London, servicing the South East boroughs. The Novotel London Waterloo in Lambeth Road puts a premier hotel establishment in the vicinity, which is attractive to business travellers. Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, the Tate Modern, Borough Markets, The London Eye, and surrounding retail and restaurant establishments provide a flourishing local employment market. Easy access to the Palace of Westminster and surrounding offices makes locating in Lambeth and Southwark attractive for businesses.

More famous office space for let in Lambeth and Southwark is The Shard, London’s tallest building, and a design icon. Other buildings include Westminster Business Square, Chester House (within the huge Kennington Business Centre complex), Southbank House, Lincoln House and Union Court (to name a few).

New Developments Planned for Lambeth and Southwark Business Area Continue reading “Focus on Business in Lambeth and Southwark” →

Key Office Space Trends and Statistics for London 2015

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The London commercial property market is expected to show positive results in 2015. During the last year, office property market sector has shown of a number of trends including accelerated rental growth, declining vacancy rates, and stable investment yields are some of the key trends that have characterized the office market across most London areas over 2014.

The key trends expected across the London office space rental market include increased demand, vacancy rates as low as 4.5%, an increase in rental costs across London up by 4.3% overall and the commercial property market as a whole expected to experience double digit growth.


London office rental market 2015 - Key trends infographic

Tech & Creative Industries Change Shoreditch’s Commercial Property Market

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Situated in the East End of London, Shoreditch is synonymous with the capital’s high tech sector. This change has had a significant impact on the types, quality, quantity and price of available offices and coworking spaces in Shoreditch.

The district is located within the London Borough of Hackney, just north of the City of London. Once an industrial and working class area, Shoreditch has gentrified significantly with the influx of creative and technology industries and their employees. Today, the district is home to many art galleries, bars and restaurants.

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Who’s Taking London Office Space in 2015?

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Principal occupier industries for office space for 2015

Being one of the world’s economic powerhouses, the British capital attracts a wide range of talented individuals, wealthy investors, and real estate agents from all over the world. The city’s thriving economy and great expansion rates have had an indirect effect on the commercial property market, which has just experienced one of its most promising years since the onset of the recession. According to real estate experts, what in 2014 were promising trends will become strong and continued levels of growth during 2015. In fact, the commercial property market in London is set to experience the highest levels of rental growth since 2007.

In particular, the real estate office market is expected to be one of the best performing sectors this year. This is mainly due to the fact that an important number of jobs are being created in certain industry sectors that are traditionally office-based. This report provides an overview of the principal occupier industries for office space in London.

Sectors to watch out for in 2015

The financial and banking industries have been slowly recovering from the effects of the recession, but according to market analysts, other industry sectors are set to surpass the office take-up rates of these traditionally important industries. The creative sector is among the key industries that have profiled themselves as some of the main occupiers in London. For the past five years, this sector has been booming across London, and especially in areas like the northern city fringe (Shoreditch, Old Street, Clerkenwell, etc.). Continue reading “Who’s Taking London Office Space in 2015?” →

London Office Space Website Relaunch

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London Office Space logo

We are very excited to announce that today the LondonOfficeSpace.com website relaunched with an entirely new look and feel.

Marketing Manager, Kate Aird, said, “London remains one of the most popular cities in the world for companies of all sizes and types, and the LondonOfficeSpace.com site fills a vital role in helping people find the right space to establish a new business or grow an existing one.

Continue reading “London Office Space Website Relaunch” →

Focus on Business in Westminster

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Focus on Business in Westminster from LondonOfficeSpace.com @officeinlondonAlthough Westminster is best known for its political affiliations, it is actually home to more enterprises and employees than any other borough in London. With part of the borough covering the world-famous West End, it is known globally for its contribution to the UK’s retail sector. Creative industries and knowledge economy are also big in Westminster, including the presence of the BBC’s main building.

The Biggest Industries in Westminster

Whereas most boroughs in London feature between 5,000 and 12,000 enterprises, Westminster is home to more than 46,000. Since the economic recession of 2008, Westminster has lost 2.8% of its enterprises. However, the retail industry continues to thrive there, with people around the world seeing this part of London as an excellent shopping destination.

One of the most significant employers in Westminster continues to be public administration and defence. Although they only share 40 enterprises between them, they employ over 50,000 people, primarily within large government departments that can be found at parliament, Whitehall, and other such buildings.

In addition to public administration and defence, Westminster is home to 70,000 employees working in the food and accommodation sectors. Owing to its popularity as a destination for tourists with a strong interest in shopping and its central location to key tourist attractions, Westminster features an abundance of hotels. The nighttime economy in Westminster is strong, as there is a considerable number of bars, clubs, and pubs present. In fact, tourism expenditure in Westminster accounts for around 15% of London’s tourism economy.

Around 85 percent of Westminster’s enterprises feature less than 10 employees, which is higher than the London average. This shows that it is a place where small businesses can happily thrive, although the cost of running a business there tests whether the majority of small businesses can manage this.

The Biggest Employer’s in Westminster

With 7 of the global 500 being based in Westminster, it’s clear that the borough is an attractive base for large businesses too. There is a significant media presence within the borough. Not only will you find the BBC’s headquarters there, you’ll also come across Pearson PLC and the Penguin Group, The Economist, and Kingfisher PLC. Travel and tourism giants include Easy Group, Korean Air, and Iraq Airways. Oil magnates also appear to be attracted to the area, with BP and Gulf Oil both having head offices there. Finally, there are brands that cater to the tastes of those who love delicate food, including Marks and Spencer and Pre-a-Manger. Continue reading “Focus on Business in Westminster” →

Focus on Business in the City of London

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Focus on Business in the City of London from LondonOfficeSpace.comWithin the square mile that makes up the City of London, there are more than 14,000 businesses. Fortunately the city’s landscape reaches high, otherwise there wouldn’t be much more room for budding entrepreneurs.

Known worldwide for being a hub of financial activity, the City of London is home to some of the world’s biggest accountancy firms, banks, and investors. Amongst the financial moguls you’ll find the occasional law firm, tech ventures like Google, and telecommunications outfits like Three. Competition for rental space is fierce, and the City of London’s local government does expect businesses to commit to sustainable practice. Knowing a little more about this area in general can help you determine whether it’s the right place to invest.

The City of London’s Financial Sector

The City of London is also known as the “Square mile”, and when investors worldwide hear that phrase, they know people are referring to the UK’s financial hub. There, you will find traditional banks and insurance agencies, including international branches like the Bank of America and the Bank of Canada. Foreign exchange businesses also thrive in the City of London, with a turnover of around 0.73 trillion alone.

Sitting at the heart of all this financial activity is the London Stock Exchange, which has been in existence since 1801. Alongside the heavily regulated London Stock Exchange is the alternative investment market, which exists for those who do not have the usual connections for traditional investing. It’s less well regulated, but it does open the financial floor up to a broader range of investors.

Although the finance industry dominates the City of London’s business activities, you will find the odd non-financial venture. This includes Google, which is home to one of London’s most innovative offices with hundreds of employees. Finally, there’s Three, which is a relative newcomer to the telecommunications industry, but is one that continues to grow stronger on a daily basis. Continue reading “Focus on Business in the City of London” →