MOVING your business into rented premises is a big decision. Maybe you have worked hard to get your business off the ground and are now ready to make a step up from a home office or garden shed. Maybe you want to move straight into professional premises to set up your new business.  Maybe you are looking to add a new branch or location to your established business. Whatever the circumstances, you will want somewhere that is right for you and meets all your needs.

Dunfermline Press:

Flexspace can answer all your questions to ensure that your needs are met and the move into rented premises is straightforward and hassle-free. We have put together a few top tips on what to consider when making that all important move:

Location

Always triple check the location! 

Will the commute suit you and your team? What are the closest transport links and have you considered what traffic will be like during your commute? All Flexspace centres provide ready access to major arterial routes.

Think about first impressions - what will existing and potential customers think of your location? All Flexspace centres are located on established, flourishing business and industrial parks.

The right space

Make sure the premises suit all your business requirements:

  • Do you need a workshop, does it need to include an office area and does it need prominent frontage to new and existing customers?
  • Is your requirement better suited to a serviced office with manned reception, communal kitchens and bookable meeting rooms?
  • Have you considered whether you need storage space to compliment your office or workshop or is self-storage all you need for now? Many Flexspace business centres also have self-storage facilities on site.

Explore all the options and be sure to consider security, particularly if your business needs a place to store stock, tools, equipment and other valuables.

The facilities

Always look at what facilities are available and what is included in the package beyond the space itself:

  • Are telecoms and broadband services available? Flexspace offer market leading IT and telecoms enabled space so you can plug in and get started straight away.
  • Does the broadband speed available meet your needs? Many businesses now rely on a great internet connection, which is why our Fife Flexspace locations all have reliable, superfast broadband.
  • Does the unit come with parking and loading facilities? All Flexspace centres provide free parking for staff and visitors and generous, accessible yards and loading facilities.
  • How are buildings presented, is signage prominent, are parking and landscaped areas clean and tidy? Flexspace centres benefit from professional maintenance programmes to ensure they look their best.

Always check that maintenance of common areas and amenities included within the occupational agreement.

Flexibility

You don’t want the growth of your business to be controlled by the limitations of your business space:

  • Look for somewhere that will be flexible enough to accommodate any changes, especially where your business plan includes employing new members of staff. At Flexspace, they have offices and workshops in a range of sizes, allowing you to upsize or contract as your business needs dictate.
  • How long is the occupational agreement committing you for? Flexspace licences are available from a minimum term of 3 months and are written in plain English so you shouldn’t need to use a solicitor.

Business Community

Many start-up businesses thrive working side by side with other like-minded small business owners:

Do the premises provide access to a successful and diverse business community? At Flexspace, there is a great sense of community between the businesses they let to. They often support and do business with one another and their Area Managers will always be on hand to offer advice.

Virtual Office

Maybe you are not quite ready to make a move to rented space:

Would a virtual office be a good first step? With a virtual office you pay a monthly fee to use the business centre address for your own business. You can also opt in to services including mail forwarding and call handling to provide a professional impression to customers.

Flexspace offer high-quality business units in Kirkcaldy and Dunfermline, all available on flexible terms, enabling you to focus on making your business prosper.

Visit www.flexspace.co.uk or email Shona Galloway, Flexspace Scotland Regional Manager: Shona.Galloway@flexspace.co.uk for more information and to enquire about availability.