Serviced offices provide today’s businesses with the level of flexibility they need to thrive in changeable and uncertain times. Read on to find out how…
The office has come a long way since the first one opened its doors in 1726. It was known as The Old Admiralty Office, and was built to facilitate the huge amounts of paperwork generated by the Royal Navy at a time when British Empire was expanding.
Since then the office has gone through numerous transformations – from the first open plan offices in the 1930s to the cubicle-style workspaces that were in fashion in the 1980s.
With technology evolving and workers becoming more mobile, the serviced office is fast becoming the most popular office option of the 21st Century. Serviced offices combine floor space with the services a business needs to succeed, such as high-speed connectivity and access to a network of like-minded entrepreneurs.
Serviced offices usually form part of a business centre, such as 4100 Park Approach in Leeds. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes (usually from 1 through to 50+ people), and lounges, kitchens and meeting rooms are shared between occupiers.
Serviced offices are ideally suited to the needs of the modern business.
Do serviced offices deserve the hype?
Our clients certainly think so. Here’s why:
Unlike traditional office leases that tie you in for, often, three years or more, serviced offices are often available on flexible licence agreements. Expect easy-in-easy-out terms, minimal deposit and the ability to upsize at short notice, depending on availability.
Serviced offices offer so much more than floor space.
They are fitted out, ready for you to move in with internet and phone lines pre-connected, making the transition to a new office a smooth one. In other words, you and your team hit the ground running from day one and leave building management and maintenance to the operator.
Serviced offices are a great option for businesses looking for space urgently, those seeking flexibility or growing companies that just want to focus on their business as opposed to running an office.
There’s a perception that serviced offices are more expensive than leased spaces.
However, when you consider the savings made on legal fees accrued for negotiating long leases, the building management and running costs, space utilisation (you only need to pay for the amount of space you require and meeting rooms, etc, are shared), the serviced option is more attractive than many would assume.
Also, there are no nasty dilapidation bills at the end.
Are serviced offices designed for startups?
Historically, startups and SMEs would be the main occupiers renting serviced offices but this has changed significantly over recent years. Large corporations and established organisations are now seeking serviced space in order to leverage the flexibility it provides.
Several Fortune 500 companies are utilising serviced offices, including IBM, Facebook and HSBC. If a company has its headquarters in the US but a growing customer base in Europe, for instance, it can occupy a serviced office quickly to meet the demands of new customers and accommodate new talent from the region.
Flexible workspaces can save companies 20-40% in costs compared to a lease for a ‘traditional’ office.
What makes Pure Offices unique?
Not all serviced offices are the same. Here’s what makes Pure Offices stand out as a serviced office operator (we have over 20 sites across the UK with more on the way).
