London is one of those cities where every square foot counts. Not only is it one of the most desirable and useful business locations in the entirety of the UK, but it can also be the first step on the way to a business dominating a certain part of the market or merging into other, larger companies. However, whether you are a one-person operation or representing a large business with multiple properties under its belt, finding office space in London can be tricky if you aren’t prepared.
Prices
Your budget can be the biggest issue. One of the biggest restrictions to owning property in London can be the high prices: without an idea of what you are willing to spend, it can be difficult to filter down the options you have. Keep in mind that many properties are valued on a ‘per square meter’ basis, even if that space is used for bathrooms or kitchen areas that you won’t use.
First of all, try to think about the amount of office space you need and what it will get used for. Sometimes a single room is enough to establish a presence in London, whereas other companies might want multiple floors to move their entire operation into the city. If you only need a desk and a computer to get deals done in London, then that might be all you have to pay for. On the other hand, if you want to arrange meetings and hold product demonstrations in-office, you will usually be forced to increase your budget to accommodate those things.
Location
Tracking down an office isn’t always just based on price. For many businesses, location can be important for one of two reasons: accessibility for anybody working there, and accessibility for members of other companies that might be invited for meetings. Being able to identify a good balance of both can ensure that the company is never too far out of the way, meaning that everybody can arrive on time and won’t be stuck hunting for the office’s location.
This might matter for parking, too. If there is parking nearby (either paid or free), it can make arriving in a car far easier and remove the need for employees to walk far after they park. If deliveries are a large part of how the business operates, close proximity to a parking area can mean that loading or unloading vehicles is also a very simple process, and reduces the chance of valuable items getting stolen when abeing carried back to the building.
Furnishings
Many people think of office space as a literal office with nothing but desks, computers and chairs, but they can be a very varied type of location. As such, a company might specifically choose an office with more than just a workspace, like the kitchens and bathrooms mentioned earlier. Larger businesses might even want to have a gym, a proper employee lounge or meeting hall, and each of them can have their own specific uses.
You should also check whether or not you are expected to supply your own furniture. In many cases, office space will have a fairly good amount of furniture already there – tables, desks, chairs – but you won’t always have everything you need straight away. Other office spaces might have only the bare minimum selection of furniture, requiring you to supply your own. Make sure you know ahead of time since this can add extra costs that you might not have been prepared to pay also you can use the Conference Room Booking System for urgent meetings.
Finding Office Space
There is no overall best way to track down office space, and it really depends on what you are aiming to find. Some people might prefer to ask around directly by arranging meetings with property owners, whereas others might find it easier to get information about office space in London from Be Offices or other similar services. Either way, it is a good idea to get as much information as you can about multiple office space offers, then compare them for yourself: you might find that one offers a lower price and has a better set of features or furnishings. The more details you can gather about each potential office space choice, the easier it becomes to judge them properly and choose one that suits you and your business best.
