Problems finding a small office!

[MrFrost1982]

We started out as a partnership about 3 months ago, initially working from home. We have grown really quickly in our first few months, and it is no longer feasable to work from the office space at home.

Unfortunately however, we are having great trouble finding a small office to rent. Both of our past credit histories are far from perfect, and this is proving to be a massive stumbling block, with many agents requesting upwards of £100 to just credit check us, just to say no.

Also all of the offices that are privately rented that we have seen, are requesting at least 12 months worth of accounts history, which we dont have.

The only option we seem to have available is relocating to my business partners garage, which I don't think would be ideal or create the right image we are looking for.

Any suggestions would be appriciated.

 

[oldeagleeye]

Try the Virtual Office package from Regus. For under £200 a month you get calll answering - mail forwarding - free internet and use of the prestgious business lounges including coffee/tea Plus you get up to 20 hrs private serviced office space.

If you want a full time office I believe it's about £500 quid a month depending on aera. This includes all bill like rates - electricy heating etc and insurance. Both are good deals and as far as I am ware no credit check. They usually want 3 moths rent in advance but you can haggle if you speak to the manager an it's also an easy in and out licence with a min 3 months.

Robert

 

[saxondale]

local council will have something

 

[thecyclingartist]

I had a similar problem with a flat to live in, and found that offering to pay rent in advance solved the problem. This was when I first started my business and had sold my house so found myself with no mortgage or lease reference! And no business accounts yet. Your bet approach is to probably disclose your situation upfront and ask if they'd be willing to discuss how best to assure your lease.

If you're willing to take a short-term lease you might also consider approaching landlords of empty/closed shopfronts to see if they'd be willing to do 2 or 3-month upfront rentals to you to keep the space occupied that might otherwise be empty for a long time in the current climate! This could give you time to build your biz and accounts plus get a landlord reference for future.

Tina.

 

[Postforce]

Where in the country are you? - you might be lucky and find somebody local to you on here with a bit of space.

 

[Abbey Business Centres]

Where in the country are you? - you might be lucky and find somebody local to you on here with a bit of space.

Seems i've come across this thread at the right time then!

A lot of the small businesses in our business centres first took out a virtual office when they decided to move away from the home environment - mainly because of the affordability factor and becuase it is seen as more risk free when compared to renting out a hefty sized office. So as oldeagleeye suggests, a virtual office may be suited to your needs at this moment in time.

But if you have got a large team of people you need to accommodate right now, then we have serviced office space all over the country that you might be interested in

James

 

[MrFrost1982]

James - we would be looking for something in the South Yorkshire area, to initially accomodate 2 people.

 

[saxondale]

James - we would be looking for something in the South Yorkshire area, to initially accomodate 2 people.

where in SY?

 

[MrFrost1982]

Sheffield or Doncaster.

 

[Philip Hoyle]

Don't restrict yourself to looking at the estate agents, advertisements, etc. - they're more likely to be expensive and go through the credit checks etc that you're likely to fail.

How well do you know your local area? How many friends/relatives/associates do you know? Put the word about that you're on the look out. Drive and walk around to look for places that are either empty or closing down then find out who owns them and contact them directly.

My current office was never advertised. I heard about it from a business associate who knew I was on the look-out and had a client who was just about to go into receivership. I had it signed over to me within two days - landlord was delighted not to have a break in rents nor pay agents fees - previous tenant was delighted because I got him out of his lease and bought a load of fittings/contents from him which enabled him to pay off a bit of his bank overdraft.

In my village, small units and offices come and go remarkably quickly so you have to be on the ball. The post office converted their basement into an office and it had been spoken for within a couple of days of the builders moving in. Again, never advertised.

When you think about it, how many "newly" opened shops and offices did you notice that were advertised through agents - very few. How many times have you seen something new opening up without ever seeing a "to let" sign above them - a lot!

Network, network, network is the answer. Just like any other business transaction, it's more often that not who you know that determines whether you suceed or fail.

 

[Henrys]

I was in a similar situation a year ago and was concerned my credit history would affect getting an office. Eventually went with a company called Regus who offered serviced modern offices. No checks were performed of any kind and they require 2 months deposit. Regus are a global company and Im sure they have some offices in Sheffield. Have a look on Google.

 

[JohnNash]

Would do a couple of things.

One, look for serviced offices - Regus are one but there are plenty of other providers out there - because they are three month contracts and you'll be fine with checks. They will still ask you for a 1 or 2 month deposit but you could always use the virtual route initially if needed.

Two, contact Chamber of Commerce who sometimes have subsidised space for new businesses or may be able to put you in touch with those who can help.

Unfortunately we haven't got out to Sheffield & Doncaster yet to be able to help, made it as far as Birstall in Leeds so far but working on it.

 

[saxondale]

http://www.creativesheffield.co.uk/





just remember all this help when you need an alarm or CCTV

 

[Chris Ashdown]

contact your town hall and explain what you need, they will have a long list of landlords you can contact directly, look at empty floors above shops often going a very cheap rates and often left empty for years, places like railway companies often have empty offices bu don advertise them

Most new companies think clients will come to them but in most cases you have to go to them so as lon as your office has clean windows and clean paint for the odd person why worry

 

[benjamin_c]

www.thebigwebsite.org.uk
www.successdoncaster.co.uk

these may be able to offer affordable office space. they are government funded local enterprise initiatives. worth a look.

 

[Silky]

We've recently relocated and are renting an office from Bizspace - they have locations in South Yorkshire too http://www.bizspace.co.uk/north.aspx We got a fantastic deal as there's a lot of competition in my area (a lot of converted mills) and they had a lot of space to spare. No accounts history needed as we're a limited company, I'm not sure what the case would be otherwise. Definitely worth investigating.

Silky

 

[MrFrost1982]

Many thanks everyone.
We are currently waiting to hear back from Regus and Bizzspace so will hopefully get something sorted!

 

[oldeagleeye]

Go and see the local Regus manager OP. I did and only had to pay a month in advance. He also allowed me to put up a nameplate in reception saving another £50 a year og resgistered office.

BTW. Regus is a pretty smart outfit and managers professional and keen to help. Our local guy for example runs regular face to face networking events and they are well attended by those with full time and virtual offices and the local business community.

Robert

 

[MrFrost1982]

I think bizzspace is a no go. They're wanting over a grand just for a deposit, and the rent is only 300 a month, which I dont find acceptable.

Still waiting to hear back from Regus.

 

[saxondale]

They're wanting over a grand just for a deposit, and the rent is only 300 a month, which I dont find acceptable.

.

you wanted to pay more per month?










move in with me.

 

[MrFrost1982]

you wanted to pay more per month?



No, the deposit I thought was too high and is well out of our budget. The monhtly price is fine.

 

[legaltemplates.eu]

Put an advert on Gumtree, be honest and you'll find you'll get quite a few emails from people offering space.

We found space with a guy who had a couple floors to rent, we negotiated down to a fraction of what he was looking for and he didn't want a deposit either.

 

[MrFrost1982]

Many thanks.
We believe we have no found somewhere which is ideal at a cost of only £160 month.

 

[nextdayprint]

Sheffield and Dony should be easy to find something small but half decent value; offer to pay 3 months deposit, try asking other companies to sublet space, try looking for private ad's, ask your local business advice center, ask at the printers (you'd be surprised how often we're able to point people in the right direction)...

 

[MrFrost1982]

Thanks again.
We've found somewhere who require a months deposit and a months rent up front.
There are credit checks but they said it shouldn;t pose a problem.

 

[saxondale]

Thanks again.
We've found somewhere who require a months deposit and a months rent up front.
There are credit checks but they said it shouldn;t pose a problem.

where abouts?

 

[MrFrost1982]

at a business centre in Doncaster.