Office premises

[hotnuts21]

Just an interesting position I came across today that I would like to share with you, and get some feedback.

Basically a local victorian building has been renovated and is right on the sea front, with a great view of the town, beach and sea. They have just set up Served office leasing, with offices from 1 to large open plan offices.

Facilities include
High Performance Telecom and IT Infastructure
Flexible terms from 1 month to 3 years
No start up or capitals usually found with conventional leases
From small offices to open plan, from 1 to 50 people
All offices decorated to a high specification
State of the art AV equipment including videao conferencing
Meeting and conference room capacity up to 100 people
Cost is inclusive of heating, lighting and water bills
Fully serviced kitchen, staff room and toilets
Night security
Daily cleaning and refuse collection

The price of this is £59.99 a week, with a small extra charge for broadband.

The area I live in is a big rural town, and has the most self employed and SME's per population than anywhere else in the UK.

I was wondering do you think having an office/high street presence as a web developer raises your profile and automatically gives people a higher perception of your business?

[davidjmedlock]

Hm, that's $100 USD a week. Not too bad, I don't guess. Office space is much higher here.

I think that having a place to meet with clients is an excellent resource. If you set it up as a small conference room with all the equipment you need, it will give a very professional impression. If you have a large sign out front with your business name on it and if it's in a moderate to high traffic area, I think it could greatly increase your potential for revenue.

[Steelsun]

It couldn't hurt - especially at those bargain prices (I'd jump at it).

Having an office presence always helps and shows you are not a "part timer" working from home.

And if you get signage visible from the street - you'll get walk in traffic that may bring some clients. (many times local businesses look for someone with a presence close by to use)

[hotnuts21]

Office space is much higher here.

It is here too even the technium which is an incubator unit office set up for small business, is more expensive and that is subsidised!!!

The town is not massive probably about 15000 people, and yes the building is on the corner of a main road and opposite the Pier, so its a prime location.

It would be handy as then i could have the spare room back to a spare room

[EightManagement]

Professional and unique office breeds a professional and unique work environment. That leads to success. For that low of a price, it can't hurt if you have the business. Sounds awesome.

[MG315]

having an office is one of the best things you can do for your business (provided you can afford it). it gives a more professional look (you're not some developer who will run off with the client's money), and when working in an office i've noticed im much more productive than working from home. also being surrounded by great designers/developers helps inspire you when you're low on ideas.

[Hartmann]

That's about $400 a month... Not too bad. I mean, I pay almost $500 a month for an apartment so a $400/month office/business space is a good deal.

Also, like everyone said, some office space is a good plan. It looks professional and allows you a place to meet with clients that is not in the local coffee shop or restaraunt.

[billiousness]

Serviced office space is a great way to initally get a professional presence without the cost, stress or negatives of a direct lease.

Most direct leases require a 3-5 year term and make you pay outgoings. On top of this in most cases you have to rent more space than you need initially and could be stuck with to little room to grow and to little flexibility in the future if your business takes off. Then you also have to worry about insurance, utilities, cleaning, phone connections, security, broadband connections and office equipment.

With serviced office space it's usually just move your documents, books, a couple of photos and your computer in and get started.

That's why I always recommend that any new or small professional business first get a serviced office for at least the first six months before getting a direct lease so that they can concentrate on their business and not worry about the office.

[RockyShark]

We have a home office (it's fairly large, though - big enough for 4 of us) but for the past 18 months I've been doing some regular work with a client who is in a serviced office. I've been spending between 4-8 hours a week with him. Just spending that much time in the centre has led to 5 other sites (plus possibly 2 more).

The moral of this story is: If you can get yourself a serviced office for 60 quid a week, the networking possibilities within the complex alone are worth more than that!

I considered moving into this centre myself except they want about $800 per month. We bought a bigger house instead!!

[hotnuts21]

Thanks for all your valuable feedback its been good reading it.
As someone pointed out earlier, if you have the business go for it. Well i dont think I do have the business yet. What I might do is go for a nice big contract that will pay for the rent for a few months. That might sort it
I do really want to go for it now, I think it would just be a good experience on top of everything else.

[troi21]

Hotnuts21,
you seem to be in the UK. Do you mind Pm'ing me the place that had such a great deal??

[hotnuts21]

Well its based in the welsh coastal town of Aberystwyth. If you dont live in Wales or anywhere near Aberystwyth, it really isnt worth you looking at it.