Serviced Offices Blog

Whether you are looking to rent office space in Leeds, Liverpool, Bristol, London or Birmingham, the same considerations arise. Location and office type are of paramount consideration.

Affordability of serviced offices

London office space is available in many areas of the capital. No one really wants to rent office space in a run down suburb but the prospect of renting office space in a prestigious and trendy area remains a dream for many business owners. However it would be a mistake to write off locating your office premises in Mayfair.

By choosing a certain type of office accommodation even small business owners can afford to locate their offices in a high end location usually reserved for the wealthy.

Serviced offices unlock access to prestigious locations

The benefit of serviced offices is that they are configured in such a way which means they are accessible by many business owners. Accessibility does not mean that quality is compromised. On the contrary, serviced office space in Victoria is situated in the highly prestigious location of Stag Place and comprises high spec reception areas with bright tasteful décor and a feeling of plush quality. Due to the nature of serviced offices they can be rented for a very affordable price.

Most serviced offices have a bright and luxurious appeal with attractive fully staffed reception areas. An on-site security guard adds to the secure and professional feeling as your clients wait in the comfortable seating area. The reception staff are fully trained and help to promote the professionalism of the offices.

By sharing office accommodation, the costs can be split between the tenants making it an affordable option. Serviced offices also provide an instant solution to any accommodation problems since they are available on just a few days’ notice. As they are provided fully fitted and furnished, there are no set up costs and you are free to commence running your business upon taking occupation.

What is included?

Irrespective of whether you rent office space in Edinburgh or Leeds, the same expenses and outgoings are normally covered. One fixed monthly rental payment allows you to plan for the future and includes the following:

• Buildings insurance
• Regular cleaning outside of office hours
• Staffed reception area
• On site security
• IT infrastructure and telephony services
• Use of communal facilities, e.g. bathroom, kitchen
• Utility bills
• Business rates
• Dilapidations
• Furniture
• Fit out

Short term myth of serviced offices

Serviced offices are usually associated with temporary short term office moves. This is a myth and serviced offices often become long term solutions. Their flexibility means that business tenants continue to renew their short term occupancy turning the arrangement into a long term one. In these uncertain economic times, the ability to be flexible and move to different sized offices at short notice is very important. Serviced offices can often be vacated on giving just a few weeks notice.

At Abacus Real Estate, we have the expertise to assist you in your search for the most suitable office premises in your chosen location.

Bristol is a mecca for investment and has a highly cosmopolitan and integrated society. It is the eighth largest city in England and is strategically placed as the gateway to the south west and Wales. When measured by GDP per head, the city has the second strongest economy outside the capital. As such it is a magnet for business entrepreneurs seeking office space, whether starting out or an established business relocating. Its desirability is enhanced by the quality of office accommodation available.

Why rent office space in Bristol?

Bristol has a stable population of around 433,100 and is surrounded by a Larger Urban Zone with approximately 1,070,000 residents. Bristol has good green eco credentials, being the sole UK city to be short listed for the first European Green Capital award. Forum for the Future undertook an independent assessment in which Bristol was acknowledged as the UK’s Most Sustainable City. Not content with these prestigious awards, Bristol was named European City of the Year by the Academy of Urbanism which was comprised of notable architects, engineers, designers and planners.

Bristol has an assortment of green spaces and stands on the edge of some spectacular scenery including the Clifton suspension bridge, Cheddar gorge, the Wookey Hole caves and the Gower peninsula. The architecturally impressive city of Bath is a short drive and is an ideal place to take your clients for a day of relaxation and culture. Bristol itself has over 450 parks and areas of green space which for its size means it is the greenest city in England.

Transportation considerations when renting office space in Bristol

Road links from Bristol to the rest of the country are excellent with motorways leading off in all directions. The M4 links Bristol to the capital and the M5 dissects the outskirts of Bristol with northbound links to Birmingham and the north and southbound links to Taunton and Exeter. The M4 continues westwards into Wales and there are now two bridges just outside Bristol over which you can enter Wales giving drivers an option if one bridge is closed.

Bristol is a major train hub with Bristol Temple Meads being the largest railway in the western part of England. Bristol International Airport is easily accessible just to the south of the city with numerous services to most of Europe and other parts of the UK.

Serviced Offices in Bristol

Most business owners want their office set-up to be swift and convenient enabling them to concentrate on other aspects of their business. Serviced offices are an ideal solution since they come fully fitted and furnished and can be occupied on very little notice. The simplicity does not end there as most of your expenses and outgoings are covered in one monthly rental payment. One payment covers use of office furniture, buildings insurance, utilities, service charges, security, business rates and staffed reception area.

At Abacus Real Estate we can advise you on your office needs and assist in your search for office space in Bristol.

As a busy entrepreneur you will be aware of the constraints on your time with an endless variety of tasks waiting for your input. Renting office space in London is a daunting prospect involving many considerations aside from the location of your offices within the capital.

Traditional versus serviced offices

Moving to office premises can be time consuming if you opt for traditional offices. This type of office space requires a great deal of time and capital outlay since you must purchase office furniture and equipment. Traditional offices also require a long term commitment, being regulated by leases with a five or ten year timeframe. If you wish to end the arrangement you will normally have to pay a premium to trigger a break clause. This is another expense which your business can well do without.

The advantage of serviced offices is that they are the most cost effective and convenient solution to occupying office space in London or anywhere for that matter. Serviced offices are ideal irrespective of the size of your business.

Built in flexibility

The current economic climate has made setting up and operating business ventures difficult and uncertain. Businesses need to be in a position to react swiftly to changing circumstances. Serviced offices have the built in flexibility to allow a business to be able to move premises quickly, whether on a permanent or temporary basis.

Serviced offices are regulated by a simple agreement rather than a complicated and extensive lease. Normally serviced offices are available to rent for varying periods from a few weeks to months. If it suits your business the arrangements can be extended so that they become long term but with the added benefit of being ended swiftly and without expensive trigger clauses. The agreement does not require the added expense of lawyers pouring over it, which is the case with complex lease provisions.

London office space is available in many locations and careful consideration of location is important. The type of office space is also critical and a wrong choice could prove an expensive mistake.

Other pros of serviced offices in London

In an increasingly complicated world, the prospect of paying most of your office expenses in one monthly payment is very appealing. You have no expensive capital outlay or time consuming fitting to carry out. You are able to occupy your London office space quickly because serviced offices are provided fully furnished and equipped. You are provided with contemporary office furniture, and security, maintenance and utilities are all provided and included in your monthly payment. You have access to communal areas shared with other tenants, such as kitchens, bathrooms and break out areas. IT services, secretarial and administrative support can sometimes be included in the monthly rent or available on a pay as you use basis.

If you wish to rent office space in London there are many aspects to consider. At Abacus Real Estate we can provide an ideal office solution in your search for office space to rent in London.

Choosing to rent office space in Victoria could be a wise decision. Victoria is a commercial area within the City of Westminster and houses one of the busiest transportation networks in the capital consisting of Victoria railway, London underground and a huge coach station.

Victoria is home to some of the most famous landmarks in London with Westminster cathedral just a stone’s throw from the underground station. Further along are Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament. Victoria also boasts many chic hotels and international restaurants where your clients will not fail to be impressed with the variety and quality of entertainment on offer. The famous Apollo theatre is in the heart of Victoria and produces major musicals and hosts world class comedy shows.

Why choose serviced offices?

Renting traditional office space in Victoria is costly as the tenant has to fit out the offices and put in all the usual office equipment in addition to paying the usual expenses on top. The convenience of serviced offices in Victoria is that the offices are already fitted out so saving you time and money. One monthly payment includes most of your outgoings such as:

• Business rates
• Buildings insurance
• Daily cleaning
• Staffed reception
• Service charges
• On site security
• Use of kitchen
• Utilities, including telephony and broadband
• Facilities Management

Many serviced offices are situated just off Victoria Street in a variety of buildings ranging from modern purpose built ones to conversions. Stag Place is particularly popular for serviced offices and is well situated for Victoria station and its transportation links.

Built in flexibility of serviced offices

Traditional offices by their very nature require time and money to fit them out and are meant to be a long-term commitment. Although this gives a business some security, it does not provide flexibility. In tough economic times most businesses prefer to be in a fluid state where they are not locked in and can adapt and adjust easily to new market trends. Traditional offices are regulated by complicated leases which have burdensome obligations on the tenant. If a tenant wishes to make an early exit from a 15 year lease, he will normally have to pay a premium to break the term. This is additional expenditure which could easily be spent on another part of the business.

Adaptability of serviced offices

Serviced offices are governed by straightforward licences since the landlord is responsible for the maintenance of the entire premises. Renting serviced offices in Victoria will give you the flexibility to either take on additional space or reduce it depending on your business needs. Sometimes, businesses have to relocate to Victoria to be near their clients for a one-off project lasting just a few weeks, and serviced offices are an ideal solution. They can be rented on a weekly or monthly basis, and as they are a turn-key operation they are available at short notice.

At Abacus Real Estate, we offer a fully tailored and comprehensive service to help you find your ideal Victoria office space.

Birmingham is Britain’s second-largest city and is a major commercial centre with the 72nd largest economy in the world. As such it is little wonder that Birmingham is sought after as a place from which to operate your business by renting serviced offices.

Cultural attractions

It has three universities and two university colleges making it one of the most esteemed centres of academic excellence outside of London. It is a cultural magnet in the midlands with the Birmingham Royal Ballet and City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra all within the city limits. Entertaining clients is all part of the business and by renting office space in Birmingham,you will have no shortage of high end restaurants, bars and hotels in which to impress clients. Other attractions on offer include the Birmingham NEC, Bullring shopping centre and the Thinktank science museum, which will stimulate and impress your clients.

Accessibility

Accessing serviced offices in Birmingham is made easy by the wide variety of public transport. Trains, buses, trams, and airports are all in abundance making Birmingham an ideal location in which to rent office space.

Tenants of office space in Birmingham have easy access courtesy of three mainline train stations. The main hub is Birmingham New Street which is the busiest outside of London, with just over 40 million people passing through each year. Birmingham Snow Hill station is the second busiest in Birmingham based in the city centre. This station is the terminus for the Midland Metro and connects to Wolverhampton with additional links to Wednesbury and West Bromwich. The third station is Birmingham Moor Street and provides express direct transportation to London Marylebone.

Access office space in Birmingham by bus

If you wish to use the bus, Birmingham will not disappoint. National Express Midlands has a monopoly on most routes and the number 11 outer circle bus route is one of the longest routes in Europe. The entire link covers about 26 miles with 272 bus stops en route.

Birmingham by Tram

Trams are a quaint addition to any city and the Birmingham Midland Metro tram has routes from Birmingham to Wolverhampton. Annually, the tram system carries some five million passengers.

Access by car

No matter how good the public transport system is, some people still prefer to travel by car. The road system around Birmingham is well served and the famous Spaghetti Junction is a renowned convergence for vehicles. Several motorways have links to Birmingham including the M5, M6 and M42 so you can easily access the city from every direction. It may not be eco-friendly but some clients will visit Birmingham by car, so easily accessible roads will be an advantage when choosing to rent office space in Birmingham.

Should you decide to locate your business in the midlands, you should consider Birmingham. Its cultural attractions, excellent bars and restaurants, and first rate shopping are a big draw when considering renting office space. If you are keen to rent serviced offices in Birmingham, contact Abacus Real Estate, where we possess the experience to help you put your business in the best location.

Many small to medium business owners automatically discount Mayfair when seeking office space to rent, imagining that it is unaffordable. However, a closer look would prove them wrong.

Mayfair’s international recognition

Mayfair is universally famous, and the mention of Bond Street and Savile Row in many places throughout the world will be met with a gesture of familiarity. Mayfair’s uniqueness is also its attractiveness. Many well known embassies choose to be located in Mayfair giving it a somewhat regal and dignified appeal with foreign attention.

The fame of Mayfair is reinforced by the retail outlets on display, with Bond Street associated with jewellery and Savile Row with tailoring.

Calmness of Mayfair

The business aspect of Mayfair is not thwarted by attention given to its retail units. It may be bustling in the immediate location of the shops but there are many areas where you can find tranquility. Such areas are found in hidden gardens and squares, with some being private but equally many are open to the public. So you can share in a taste of the uniqueness of Mayfair as you meander through its many squares, such as Berkeley, Hanover and Grosvenor. The pleasant atmosphere will be appreciated by your clients and is easily accessible from your office space in Mayfair.

Entertaining options

It is very likely that you will have to entertain clients at some point in your business relationship with them. Mayfair will not let you down in this regard as the area is awash with some famous bars, restaurants and hotels. Equally, there are some very quiet and quirky places to unwind in the backstreets of Mayfair. If you rent serviced offices in the area you will be spoilt for choice for entertainment options. You can celebrate a business deal in a high visibility restaurant or you can choose to negotiate a deal in a quiet unobtrusive establishment.

Transport links

Mayfair is near the centre of London and is well served by bus and underground stations. Access to mainline rail stations such as Victoria, Paddington and Charing Cross Road is easy. The Piccadilly underground line lies within Mayfair, giving seamless access to Heathrow whilst Gatwick is accessed from nearby Victoria.

Serviced offices

The eclectic nature of Mayfair makes it intriguing. Companies can choose between old buildings which have been modernised and purpose-built modern premises. Modern technology will function in each type of building so you are not sacrificing state of the art IT by choosing older premises. Most businesses cannot get a foothold in Mayfair unless they choose serviced offices rather than traditional offices.

Serviced offices in Mayfair are available on a short term basis and payment is by one monthly payment which covers the majority of the business expenses. Outgoings generally included consist of:

• business rates
• buildings insurance
• utilities
• cleaning on daily basis
• staffed reception
• security
• kitchen
• service charges
• furniture
• printers and copiers

At Abacus Real Estate we have the expertise to find your ideal Mayfair serviced offices.

Transport links are a major consideration when locating your business. The best-run businesses can still suffer if they are not situated in a place which is easily accessible. Liverpool is particularly blessed with some of best transport networks in England. It is in close proximity to overground trains, buses and airports ensuring that you can reach other destinations quickly when travelling to and from your Liverpool office space.

Travelling by road

Road links to and from Liverpool are direct, ensuring speedy connections. To the east of the city, the M62 motorway connects it with Hull and there are opportunities along this route to divert to other major cities such as Leeds and Manchester. If your clients need to visit you from more distant cities, the M62 offers indirect links to London, Nottingham, Birmingham and Sheffield. If links are needed to the west of Liverpool, the Kingsway and Queensway tunnels connect the city with Birkenhead and Wallasey. From Birkenhead the A41 provides links to Cheshire and Shropshire with the option of continuing to North Wales via the A55. Liverpool is connected to the south via the A562 with Widnes and Warrington. If you occupy serviced offices in Liverpool you can be assured of good road connections to and from the city in all directions.

Air connections

Road connections are important, but so are air connections in the modern world. Liverpool’s airport, John Lennon, has many direct domestic and European flights. Flights to 68 destinations are on offer including Barcelona, Berlin, Zurich, Rome, Paris, Madrid and Milan. These flights are typically cheap offered by low-cost airlines, notably Easyjet and Ryanair. KLM, the Dutch national airline, provides a service four times daily where passengers are faced with the prospect of flying to 800 destinations globally with KLM via the Dutch airport. Such an assortment of flights makes Liverpool an ideal place in which to search for office space.

Rail connections

Two separate rail networks serve Liverpool. The national network connects Liverpool with major towns and cities throughout England. The mainline station is Lime Street station and it offers connections to London, Manchester, Preston, Leeds, Sheffield, Derby, York, Norwich and Nottingham. Passengers can reach John Lennon airport via Liverpool South Parkway. Businesses occupying office space in Liverpool can rest assured that they are easily reachable by their clients throughout the country.

Bus connections

Liverpool has an extensive bus service being served by many companies including Stagecoach and Arriva. Queen Square Bus Station and Liverpool One Bus Station are the two main terminals for local buses. The former serves destinations north and east of Liverpool and the latter serves those to the south and east. A night bus is in operation and cross river services to the Wirral use terminus points in Sir Thomas Street and Castle Street. These connections are useful for journeys particularly those contained within the city and are an asset for any business owner with office space in Liverpool.

At Abacus Real Estate we can advise you on the best location for your Liverpool office space.

If you are about to start up a business, you will have to give thought to its location. Once you have decided on a city, the precise site for your office space is important.

Bristol as an office base

Many businesses seeking a south west location are drawn towards Bristol. It is not hard to see why. Bristol is in an ideal place to connect with the extreme south west such as Exeter, the Midlands such as Birmingham and is a gateway to Wales. It is also well situated for connection to London whilst Heathrow and Gatwick are within easy reach. Bristol is also blessed with its own airport to the south, with frequent connections to European and British cities. Bristol has a long tradition of being at the forefront of innovation – Brunel built the famous suspension bridge and the city is a centre for technological advancement.

Options for Bristol office space

Having decided on renting office space in Bristol, you have options on the type of space to rent. Traditional offices are usually let on a long term basis which involves a major commitment both in terms of time and money. Occupation of these offices is governed by a lease usually with full repairing obligations. The space is usually empty, meaning that the new occupier has to fit out the offices and put in essential infrastructure. This can take time which would be better devoted to running other aspects of your business.

The real problem is that traditional offices are not particularly flexible. If you want to locate your business elsewhere or take on additional space, traditional offices are rigid. A lease often has a break clause which can be triggered only after giving several months notice and on payment of a substantial premium.

In today’s economic climate, the ability to alter your business whether it is downsizing or relocating on a temporary basis is important. Serviced offices give you the flexibility you are seeking. They are meant to be a short term solution but in fact many become long term arrangements as they can be easily renewed.

Advantages of serviced offices

The main advantage of serviced offices in Bristol lies in the cost of one monthly rental payment which includes a variety of expenses and outgoings. The monthly rental normally includes:

• Buildings insurance
• Furniture and fitments
• Power, electricity bills
• Daily cleaning
• Staffed reception area
• Service charges
• Phone systems and handsets
• Cabling and Broadband
• Printers and copiers
• Use of shared kitchen

As serviced offices are already fitted out they are ready for occupation on a few days notice. Businesses can start operating from them immediately and many are set in prestigious locations which would be unaffordable if renting traditional offices. The bright and modern decor associated with serviced offices means that any clients will have a favourable impression when entering the pristine reception area.

At Abacus Real Estate, we have the experience and expertise to take care of your office needs in Bristol.

Many business owners are faced with the difficult decision of locating and ensuring the best working environment for their businesses. Managing their businesses on a daily basis is a full time occupation and there is no time for worrying about the property management aspects of things. The arrival of serviced offices as a property management option relieve the business manager of the hassle of locating, managing and fitting out office space.

Popularity of serviced offices

A main advantage of serviced offices is that most support you will need is provided by your office operator, saving you valuable time sorting out your IT issues. A business will supply their own computers, but the network is supplied as part of your monthly rent payment. Some companies will only need a simple shared network but other businesses will require something more sophisticated. If your business is graphic design or architecture, you will need higher specification IT services with additional bandwidth and these will be on top of your normal payment.

Serviced versus traditional

If you are looking for commercial property in Bristol, Manchester or Mayfair you will enjoy the flexibility of serviced offices. Most traditional offices come with 10 or 15 year leases which is a real tie and can only be prematurely ended upon payment to trigger a break clause. There are expensive legal costs involved since the lease must be checked carefully to look at the obligations imposed on the tenant. Often, the solicitor will negotiate clauses to make them more favourable for the tenant but all these negotiations come at a cost.

Occupancy of serviced offices is regulated by a relatively simple licence agreement which does not require a solicitor’s input. They are usually for a short period ranging from a week to a few months but can be extended on a rolling basis. This versatility is important in the uncertain economic times faced by all businesses allowing a quick re-evaluation and response to accommodation requirements.

Who are serviced offices for?

Whether you are seeking offices to let in Birmingham, London or Liverpool, you can afford serviced premises. Businesses of varying sizes can benefit from serviced offices. Typically these offices are seen as the preserve of small to medium sized businesses but they are also suitable for larger businesses. Some move their operation to an entire serviced office whereas others choose to locate a proportion of their business to serviced offices. This allows the larger business to enjoy flexibility enabling them to expand or contract quickly.

Serviced offices are suitable for businesses which have a one off project and which requires the business to be near the client. Alternatively they can be an interim measure for businesses whilst they are looking for a permanent location.

Whether you want to rent office space in Birmingham, Bristol or London or Edinburgh, serviced offices are the idea solution.

At Abacus Real Estate, we can explain the benefits of serviced offices and assist to ensure your move to new offices is smooth and seamless.

Many business owners do not imagine they can rent office space in Mayfair, and discount the location. However, renting office space in Mayfair does not have to be a pipe dream. It can become reality if you rent serviced offices which are more affordable than conventional offices.

Mayfair is one of the most select and prestigious areas in London bordering the west end and encompassing some of the most expensive real estate in the city. The area is also famous for many historic buildings and there are numerous high quality hotels and restaurants, often in tucked away quirky streets. There is a feeling of the old London when you wander around Mayfair and you can witness the history.

Apart from the location what are the advantages of serviced offices ?

Flexibility

Over the past few years the high street has seen the demise of several well known household names. Confidence needs to return to the economy, but in the meantime few businesses wish to take on more than a short term commitment.

The appeal of serviced offices is that they can be rented on a short term basis giving you maximum flexibility. The usual minimum commitment is for one month, but some can be rented for just a few weeks. If you decide to continue renting you can keep renewing your licence agreement on a rolling basis. There is the prospect of taking on more office space or reducing it depending on your business requirements. In these austere uncertain times the flexibility afforded by serviced offices are the ideal solution.

Simplicity

Serviced offices are offered fully fitted and furnished which means you do not waste time and incur large capital outlay. You are free to devote time to other aspects of your business and expend capital money elsewhere.

Payment is also relatively simple with one monthly payment covering most of your expenses and including rent, buildings insurance, cleaning, business rates, power, use of communal facilities such as kitchen area, staffed reception area and onsite security offering 24 hour access.

Highly trained receptionists are on hand to greet your clients and answer any phone calls in your business name if desired. Renting serviced offices allows you the time to concentrate on your core business.

Sometimes, the monthly payment includes telephony and high speed broadband services. This leaves you to pay for the hire of additional meeting rooms with catering facilities as and when required.

Entertaining

Your clients will appreciate the high quality restaurants on hand and the tranquillity that can be found in discreet bistros and boutique hotels. Discuss your business in relaxing and comfortable surroundings which will impress potential clients and customers.

Mayfair beckons and its affordability is not a secret anymore. You can benefit from the enhanced reputation to your business from occupying a well established location in a high spec building with quality fixtures and fittings.

At Abacus Real Estate, we have the expertise to find the ideal location for your office space in Mayfair.