Johnson credits the unit with being cheap-ish, but Chris Gabbott of car batteries retailer Alpha Batteries, who moved into the mill last September from his home in Bury, believed there was more to it than just price. There is a good atmosphere here and it seems to be a place where acorns turn into oak trees, Gabbott said.
Well-managed He credits the centres management, Bizspace (part of the Buckinghamshire-based Highcross Group) with providing the right kind of environment. The rents are quite reasonable and it seems to be well-run. The building is manned 24 hours and there is a night man on all night. That gives us a bit of peace of mind and it seems very well-managed, he said. He has just moved from the second floor into a 1,000 sq ft ground floor unit which has allowed him to offer a counter service alongside the online operation. Like Jacqui Lowe-Jackson, he found that as soon as he started putting his trading address on the eBay shop and his own website, customers started knocking on the unit.I sell a lot of specialist batteries for leisure equipment and I have also started selling truck batteries and people have come from as far away as Warrington or Halifax to save on the postage, he said. Lowe-Jackson, meanwhile, has also taken on a shop unit adjoining the mill which allows her to display in surroundings that are slightly more intimate. I would say that 18 months ago 100 per cent of our sales were on eBay, said Rick Lowe-Jackson. We have tried to change the model and that is all been about improving margins, he said. At its peak, his firm was paying up to £3,500 in eBay and Paypal transaction fees. There is a lot of businesses that can survive on eBay, but not in lingerie, said Jacqui. It is a powerful marketing tool but from a profits perspective it is not sustainable.
Bizspace brings flexible managed workspace to Leeds
Three contemporary business centres have been acquired in Leeds by Bizspace, the UK’s largest provider of flexible managed workspace, to provide small businesses and SMEs across the West Yorkshire region with the widest possible range of workspace options.
The three centres are close to the City centre and provide businesses with access to workshop, light industrial, studio and storage space through to managed serviced office space, virtual offices, meeting rooms and mailboxes, with space sizes ranging from 100 to 8,500 sq ft.
“Our centres provide businesses, both large and small, with easy-access to quality workspace available on flexible terms and it enables those that want to relocate or start-up business in the Leeds area to enjoy the benefits of a professional working environment,” comments Andy Holland, Bizspace’s regional manager.
“Both the Brooklands Court Business Centre on Tunstall Road and the Photon House Business Centre on Percy Street offer flexible accommodation for those seeking managed office space. The Brooklands centre is in a prime location adjacent to junction 5 of the M621 and both centres provide ample free parking.
“The Wortley centre in Amberley Street comprises of units ranging from 175 sq ft to 8,500 sq ft in size and is ideally suited to those businesses seeking workshop, light industrial and adjacent to office space.”
Bizspace already owns more than 100 business centres across England and Scotland and its quality of customer care has seen the company be awarded the covetted Managed Workspace of the Year award from the Business Centre Association for the past two years in succession. The company has achieved growth of more than 100% during the past 18 months and with plans to add more centres to its portfolio during 2008. Bizspace is on target to provide an ever increasing number of small businesses with the perfect workspace solution.
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For further information, please contact Colin Peck in the Bizspace press office on 07802 606433 or email: colinjpeck@aol.comBIZSPACE is one of the UK's leading providers of managed workspace, offering flexible property licensing or leasing solutions to the SME market.
Date: 24 Apr 2008
Two new business centres have been acquired in Oldham by Bizspace, the UK's largest provider of flexible managed workspace, to provide small businesses and SMEs across the region with the widest possible range of workspace options from workshop and light industrial space to office storage premises, meeting rooms and virtual offices or mailboxes Both the Hollinwood Business Centre in Albert Street and the Saddleworth Business Centre in Delph were acquired by Bizspace in January this year and Saddleworth is to be subject to an upgrading programme. "The Hollinwood centre is large complex that has been beautifully refurbished inside to provide office accommodation from 260sq ft to 12,000 sq ft units," comments Ann-Marie Jeffrey, Bizspace's regional manager. "It has excellent motorway links to the M60; provides clients with plenty of free parking and enables a wide range of businesses, both large and small, to enjoy the benefits of managed workspace without having to go into the town centre."The Saddleworth centre in Delph provides a number of smaller units ranging from 200 sq ft up to 5,500sq ft and is ideal for businesses looking for workshop, light industrial, office or storage facilities. Located within walking distance to the picturesque village of Delph and adjacent to the River Tame, the centre is already attracting considerable interest from a wide range of local businesses."Bizspace already owns more than 100 business centres across England and Scotland and its quality of customer care has seen the company be awarded the covetted Managed Workspace of the Year award from the Business Centre Association for the past two years in succession.
Ann-Marie Jeffrey, Bizspace's regional manager, outside Hollinwood Business Centre
Refurbished business centre helps attract jobs to Camberwell
Bizspace has refurbished its business centre in Lilford Road, Camberwell to help attract small businesses and up to 50 jobs to south London.
“We’ve just finished a major refurbishment of the centre,” comments regional manager, Mark Pollard, “And we’ve re-opened with a range of office, studio, workshop and light industrial workspace available in sizes to suit every requirement from single occupancy right up to 20 people or more in a single unit. These will provide small businesses and SMEs wishing to relocate to the area with ease of access to high quality workspace available on flexible terms.
“Our other centres in Brixton and Camberwell have been instrumental in helping small businesses relocate to, and grow and prosper in the area and so we are confident that the Lilford Road business centre will provide the flexibility that businesses need during these challenging times. In most cases, clients can move in the same day as viewing and they don’t have to make long term commitments on workspace size or location.
“We specialise in providing managed workspace space to businesses of all sizes and particularly the SME sector, which accounts for more than 95% of all UK businesses. We have a client base of more than 4,000 customers and this gives us tremendous confidence in the market, which is key to our continued expansion plans beyond our current 110 business centres.”
For further information, please contact Gregg Sheen, Bizspace Marketing Director at
Gregg.sheen@bizspace.co.uk or Colin Peck in the Bizspace press office on 07802 606433 or email: colinjpeck@aol.comBIZSPACE
Leeds company is dancing on air
A Yorkshire-based supplier of the huge, attention-grabbing inflatable tubes and shapes is literally dancing on air as a result of its relocation to Bizspace’s Photon business centre in New Wortley, Leeds.
“We founded Airdancer four years ago and until recently were based in Leeds city centre,” comments Rae Oakland, marketing manager. “However business has been growing steadily so we needed space to expand and also to overcome the high cost of parking in the city centre. So the move to the Bizspace centre provides us with the flexibility to keep expanding and the commute is easier too. A number of blue chip contract wins has fueled Airdancer’s recent rapid growth and Enterprise agency, West Yorkshire Ventures, has voted our company as ‘one to watch’ in 2008.”
“Since moving in, Airdancer has already expanded its workspace by taking another office,“ comments Hayley Hall, Bizspace’s centre manager. “The company is typical of the small businesses and SMEs that are finding managed workspace provide a value for money solution to occupancy needs.”
The Photon centre is one of three contemporary business centres acquired in Leeds by Bizspace, the UK’s largest provider of flexible managed workspace, to provide small businesses and SMEs across the West Yorkshire region with the widest possible range of workspace options. All three centres are close to the City centre and provide businesses with access to workshop, light industrial, studio and storage space through to managed office space, virtual offices, meeting rooms and mailboxes, with space sizes ranging from 100 to 8,500 sq ft.
As part of the Highcross Group, Bizspace already owns more than 110 business centres across England and Scotland and its quality of customer care has seen the company be awarded the covetted Managed Workspace of the Year award from the Business Centre Association for the past two years in succession. The company has achieved growth of more than 100% during the past two years and with plans to add more centres to its portfolio during 2008. Bizspace is on target to provide an ever increasing number of small businesses across Yorkshire with the perfect workspace solution.
National award hat trick for Bizspace
Bizspace Limited in Swindon has been voted runner-up in the covetted 2008 Managed Workspace of the Year awards announced in London by the Business Centre Association (bca). This is the third year in succession that Bizspace has received such high recognition in the bca awards for quality of customer service having won the tile in 2006 and 2007 at their Hove and Hebburn sites respectively.
Bizspace is the UK’s leading provider of managed workspace with more than 110 locations across the UK and managing director, Gareth Evans, comments, “I am both proud and elated that once again a Bizspace centre has featured as a finalist in these customer service-based awards. We’ve won the Managed Workspace of the Year award for the past two years, so it is a fantastic achievement to be runner-up in 2008.
“The current economic crisis is fuelling increased demand for flexible workspace across the West of England as forward-thinking businesses are taking a long hard look at methods to reduce their operating costs in the longer term, thus ensuring both their survival and future growth. Twenty years ago it would have been almost inconceivable that the senior management of any business in the region could have foreseen a time when there would be a viable alternative to leasing or outright purchase of commercial workspace. Today, however the provision of flexible workspace by Bizspace has become a mainstream option for the widest range of businesses across the UK.”
Bizspace select RJmetis as its Software Provider
Bizspace, one of the UK’s leading providers of managed workspace, supplies robust, flexible solutions to the accommodation challenges faced by growing businesses. Following strong growth of its own Bizspace now has 110 UK locations and, since summer 2008, has employed RJmetis’ CentreCharge software to manage its customer information, enhance the services delivered and facilitate invoicing.
Given the complexity involved in managing 110 locations Gregg Sheen, Bizspace Marketing Director, knew that a robust system was required to coordinate business processes from routine rent and services to planning sales, fielding enquiries and communicating with the brokers used to support the letting process. As the company continued to grow he was aware that the ad hoc combinations of spreadsheets and manual systems used by so many business centres, was increasingly time consuming and inefficient.
Gregg invited several suppliers of business centre software, including RJmetis to show what their systems could deliver. Bizspace set up a trial account with the web based CentreCharge which allowed a real time assessment of how CentreCharge could support this growing business. Similar investigations using CDs and online demonstrations provided by other suppliers gave a good basis for comparison. After exhaustive tests the decision was made to proceed with CentreCharge as it was easier to use and saved time with its neat integration with the web brokers.
Justin Harley, Managing Director of RJmetis, is delighted to work with Bizspace. “We pride ourselves that CentreCharge is a truly scalable product; delivering significant benefits to single site operations yet easily expanded as companies grow. With 110 sites Bizspace clearly demonstrates our ability to deliver high quality customer service and management information no matter how large the company”.
BIZSPACE is one of the UK's leading providers of managed workspace, offering flexible property licensing or leasing solutions to the SME market.
RJmetis is the leading provider of Business Centre software with over 800 sites world-wide benefiting from one or more of its products. An in-depth understanding of Serviced Offices, Business Centres and Executive Suites combined with a high level of technological know-how has enabled us to develop applications that provide the ideal foundation to operate and manage a Business Centre or Serviced Property.
Bizspace seeks vacant property owners
to help it expand
Owners and developers of empty commercial buildings across the UK are being urged to contact Bizspace, the UK’s largest operator of managed workspace, which is looking to increase its portfolio of more than 110 business centres in England and Scotland.
“The recession has not dented demand for flexible managed workspace,” comments Bizspace’s operations director, Emma Long, “And whilst we have traditionally purchased all of our office, workshop, light industrial and storage properties, we are now looking to work with, and help those owners of vacant commercial buildings to find new tenants.
“With a proven brand, national coverage and both infrastructural and management expertise, we are looking to expand our range of management contracts beyond our existing core of investors. We are also looking to offer our expertise to other property investors who have a presence in the flexible workspace market, but do not have expertise to manage their assets in-house.
“With more than 3,000 SME clients already onboard, we have tremendous experience of managing flexible workspace and working with potential clients to fulfil their occupancy needs. So we are now looking to offer our expertise to those landlords that might be interesting in working with us, on a management contract basis, to help turn unoccupied space into a Bizspace business centre.
“In the current financial climate it is crucial to manage flow and an empty building not only produces no positive cashflow, but it also incurs empty property rates. So we want building owners to think about becoming part of the Bizspace family and let us help them get people and businesses back into their buildings.”
Bizspace helps Britain’s tenth oldest business take the weight off
The flexibility provided by managed workspace is still paying dividends for Britain’s tenth oldest business, Vandome and Hart, almost 350 years after the company was first established in the North West.
The company, which has been supplying, installing and maintaining weighing machines since 1660, has always been located in Manchester and although originally founded in London, its north west regional office became the company’s head office when Vandome and Hart moved into Bizspace’s Atlantic Street business centre in Altrincham in 1990.
“We originally started out making scales to weigh gold sovereigns, but things have moved on dramatically during the past 350 years,” comments Alan Brown, managing director. “We haven’t supplied any mechanical scales for at least 15 years and most of our work now centres around the issue of Calibration Certificates, service, maintenance and sales of weighing equitment at , high street stores, Industrial and food factories and even farms. The only machines we don’t service are weighbridges.
“The Bizspace centre has proven to be an ideal location for our business as we’ve got great motorway access which proves to a be a great benefit for our team of service engineers that cover the whole of England and Wales from the London and Altrincham branches
Jill Scoltock, Bizspace’s centre manager comments, “Our property team are currently working with Vandome & Hart on their relocation to a new unit within the centre that is a better fit their business needs. The flexibility we provide provides them with the ability to rightsize their workspace requirements in line with market requirements and we are putting a plan together so that they can see how the new workspace will look. My clients are truly wonderful and inspiring and Alan Brown loves to tell me about how he became managing director of the company he first joined when he was just 15 years old.”
Vacant property owners help Bizspace expand
in the North West
The owners of several of empty commercial buildings across the North West UK are now in negotiations with Bizspace, the UK’s largest operator of managed workspace, following the company’s announcement that it is actively seeking properties to help it expand in the region.
“The recession has not dented demand for flexible managed workspace,” comments Bizspace’s operations director, Emma Long, “And our portfolio of 110 business centres across England Scotland are reporting increased enquiry levels from small businesses looking to relocate to flexible managed workspace.
“Whilst we have traditionally purchased all of our buildings, we are now looking to work with, and help those owners of vacant commercial buildings to find new customers. The announcement of our plans has enabled us to start negotiations with building owners in a number of new locations in Greater Manchester, as well as locations across Lancashire, which should enable us to offer our range of offices, studios, light industrial units, storage and workshop units to an even larger number of small businesses.
Demand for workspace revs up in Peterlee
Increased demand for pre-owned motor cycles across the North East, together with their servicing and repair, has required Vertical Motor Bikes (VBM) to relocate to larger workshops at the Bizspace business centre on the North West Industrial Estate in Peterlee.
“We specialise in sales and servicing of pre-owned sports bikes, as well as selling new Kymco and British-built CCM motor bikes,” comments VBM’s founder, Trevor Davies. “Motor bikes have always been a cost-effective method of getting from A to B, but the current economic downturn has seen an increasing number of people looking to reduce their daily commuting costs by switching from four wheels to two.
“During the past six months we’ve witnessed a steadily increasing demand, especially on the bike servicing and repair side of our business, so the flexible occupancy terms we enjoy at Bizspace have allowed us to relocate within the Peterlee business centre so that we now have additional showroom and workshop space.
Centre manager Andrew Jordan comments, “Vertical Motor Bikes is typical of the small businesses that are continuing to expand in the North East during the current financial climate by taking advantage of the flexibility we provide. This removes the headache of long term financial commitments, whilst allowing businesses greater freedom to upsize, downsize or even relocate to meet the demands of their market.”
Pedal Power Increases in PeterleeA return to pedal power across the North East has required Strawberry Cycles to expand its facilities at the Bizspace business centre in Peterlee. The company was originally based in Horden, but moved to Peterlee when increasing demand for cycles meant that it outgrew its previous facilities.
“Environmental and economic issues are fuelling a major resurgence in cycling,” claims Marcel Rochester, founder of Strawberry Cycles, “but cyclists are now very demanding and require high quality and technically innovative machines.
“Modern quality cycles are both lighter and smoother than ever before and much easier to ride and so demand is increasing all the time. In contrast, nobody wants the cheap bikes you get from the supermarket that end up on the scrapheap in short order.
“Our new expanded premises contain a retail outlet and full workshop facilities. One of the main advantages of the Bizspace centre is that it has excellent parking and it’s close to the A19 for easy access. The Bizspace team made the expansion so easy for us, and best of all we didn’t have to move to another building or address.
“Sales of cycles are increasing all the time and there’s even the Government’s cycles scheme (www.cyclescheme.co.uk) which allows you to pay no tax on cycles used to commute to work, so there’s never been a better time to get on your bike. So don’t knock it until you’ve tried it!”
Bizspace centre manager Andrew Jordan comments, “Strawberry Cycles is typical of the small businesses that are continuing to expand in the North East during the current financial climate by taking advantage of the flexibility we provide. This removes the headache of long term financial commitments, whilst allowing businesses greater freedom to upsize, downsize or even relocate to meet the demands of their market.”
Bizspace to Help Charity Raise £9.6m - by Putting the Kettle onBIZSPACE, the UK’s leading provider of managed workspace, is helping a cancer charity raise a massive £9.6 million – by putting the kettle on.
A large number of Bizspace’s 110 business centres took part in the World’s Largest Coffee morning, held across the UK on September 25th, in order to help Macmillan Cancer Support hit its national fundraising target which it will use to fund its vital cancer services, ranging from specialist nurses and doctors, to grants and advice for people who have money problems because of their illness.
‘It has been great raising money for such a worthy cause and all the teams involved had a lot of fun”, comments Gregg Sheen, Bizspace’s marketing director. “To help our senior management prepare for all the cakes they consumed during the coffee morning, we organised a charity Iron Man Challenge to raise additional funds.
“The challenge ran from 1st June to 31st August and included a two mile swim; a 100 mile bike ride and finally a 26 mile marathon run. Our head of finance, Steve Payne got so carried away that he actually completed six marathons during the three month period. The Challenge itself raised £2,000 for Macmillan and we are still counting the total raised at all the coffee mornings.”
Macmillan’s fundraising manager for North London, Rebecca Steadman, adds “We are extremely grateful to Bizspace for holding these activities to raise money for us. The money will help fund vital cancer services and hopefully Bizspace’s participation will encourage even more local businesses, groups and individuals to support our charity in the future.”
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Old Trafford Bizspace Helps Raise Cash For Kids
Clients at the Bizspace centre in Old Trafford dug deep into their pockets on Friday to help raise more than £700 for the ‘Cash for Kids’ winter appeal being run by KEY 103 radio across the Greater Manchester area.
“We organised a ‘Bring a Pound to Work Day’ on Friday and some of the smaller businesses located at the business centre contributed £110, to which we added another £100,” comments Bizspace’s centre manager, Christine Wallace. “The biggest single donation came from M2 Digital, which is the biggest client located at the centre.
“We are so pleased to have raised so much money for the kids of Greater Manchester where
1,261 children on the children protection register desperately need winter clothing. However, the Cash for Kids Winter Appeal still needs lots more cash to meet its £60,000 and donations can be made direct to KEY 103 on 0161 288 5195.”
The moneys raised at Bizspace Old Trafford were collected on Friday by a KEY 103 DJ.
Need Office Space talks to Gareth Evans, Managing Director of BizspaceNeed Office Space have another exclusive interview, this time with Gareth Evans, Managing Director of Bizspace.
What is the concept behind Bizspace?
Our aim is to be recognised as the best provider of flexible workspace nationally by offering value for money office & industrial space on flexible terms. We strive to provide businesses with tailored solutions to their workspace needs, without the inflexibility of traditional property leases. In effect, we allow businesses the freedom to grow and prosper along with their space rather than be constrained by it.
What makes Bizspace different from competitors?
We are one of the very few business centre operators that provide true flexibility and this extends from the occupancy terms themselves through to adapting and personalising the workspace. We operate on a truly national basis, with 110 locations across England and Scotland, and with almost 6,000 spaces in office, studio, workshop, light industrial units and even storage facilities we can cater for almost any type of business requirement.
Why would a small business setting up for the first time choose Bizspace?
We guarantee they will be getting the best value for money workspace on truly flexible and transparent terms. We have a simple, practical approach which means that our customers can “move in today” facilitated by an easy one-page licence agreement. This means they can get on with their business without worrying about complicated and drawn out leases and property transactions. Businesses also need only take the space they require and can simply ‘flex’ the space required as their business needs dictate, which is especially important for start-up businesses when their prosperity may be less certain. Customers joining us will also become part of a business community of over 4,000 businesses.
How is Bizspace finding current market conditions?
The current market conditions are clearly challenging to the sector. However UK SME’s are the life-blood of UK plc and will continue to be so in the future. There is always a consistent churn of businesses in this market with many new start ups, as well as companies downsizing or seeking to move to another location. It is essential that they have the right conditions in which to flourish and we at Bizspace are striving to ensure that we deliver on their need for flexibility when it comes to their space requirements in this constantly changing environment.
We believe that whilst current market conditions are currently challenging for our sector, they will also drive opportunity in the future. Why, because the marketplace is much more competitive currently as traditional property players, desperate to let space following the introduction of the EPR and the onset of the recession, have entered the market to offer “flexible” space. However, these ‘new’ operators will realise the hands-on, pro active service required to succeed in the sector, is not part of their business model and will go back to what they know best when the market picks up. This will drive opportunity as demand is now increasing for our space as the SME market realises that flexibility is available and is good value. Indeed, we have actually seen occupancy increase in 2009 as customers realise that the product that we offer ideally suits their needs.
Do you think there is a future for the flexible space market?
Undoubtedly there is. If this recession has taught us anything it’s that flexibility is critical in all aspects of business in order to ensure that businesses are able to adapt quickly to changing conditions. Given that business premises are a significant cost, it is essential that they are flexible enough to adapt for better or for worse. That can only mean that there will be increasing demand for value for money flexible space in the future. Flexible space enables businesses to budget accurately and to align their space requirements with their business plans, without massive investment and all the complications involved in long term leases.
What do you mean by flexible space?
Flexibility means different things to different people, but essentially flexible space means we can adapt our approach to the needs of our customers. We strive to make sure that the businesses in our centres do not have to worry about their accommodation needs so they can focus on what is important, their business.
Most of our customers are small businesses and they have constantly changing requirements. Flexibility to many of them means the ability to change their space as required, so we don’t tie them in to long term leases. If they need more space, we draw up another one page agreement and start again, or if they need additional short term space to store goods, say for Christmas, then we can licence by the week, all of this without the need for costly moving expenses.
Some customers want all-inclusive fixed billing, but some want line-by-line and variable. If a company is unsure as to the viability of the business they may want to start by renting on a monthly basis or even weekly. Some businesses don’t even need a room, so have a virtual office with us and book a meeting room as and when required. To some, flexibility means the ability to change the space they have taken, which again we can facilitate with ease. They may want to put up internal walls and paint them pink or bring in their own technology. If that’s good for their business, it’s good for us and that’s flexibility.
What impact has the changes in the EPR had on the sector?
I think that the removal of EPR relief will have a significant impact on the sector and more importantly the SME sector. This tax is an incredibly regressive step at any time, let alone at a time when the economy is in such dire straits and will really hinder recovery.
There were two reasons for its introduction, one to incentivise landlords to bring properties back into use and two, to try to reduce rents. In actuality, rents have fallen mainly due to the recession and buildings are empty solely due to a lack of demand in the market and so on top of a drop in rental income, property owners are being taxed on the empty space.
The knock-on effect will be dramatic in the medium term. In the short term buildings are being knocked down to avoid rates, which is contrary to environmental concerns and new development has completely dried up. When the upturn comes, and it will, there will be a complete lack of flexible space for small business, which will stifle that part of UK plc which is the most important to its continued growth and success.
As a result of that, rents will increase rapidly negating the reason for the tax in the first place and so we will be driven into a period of boom and bust again. The short term increase in the relief threshold to £15,000 has helped for one year, but needs to remain indefinitely so that we have certainty and can plan once again to support the SME sector.
http://www.needofficespace.com/servicedoffice-blog/need-office-space-talks-to-gareth-evans-managing-director-of-bizspace-3669.html
Bizspace warns of future workspace shortage
Britain’s army of small businesses will struggle to find affordable flexible workspace in the next few years, claims Bizspace, the UK’s largest operator of flexible business space. Bizspace currently operates 109 business centres across England and Scotland, providing more than 7million sq ft of office, workshop, studio and industrial space, as well as storage and self-storage facilities, on flexible terms to over 5,000 small businesses.
“More than 95% of UK businesses employ less than 250 people and when the upturn eventually takes hold many of these SMEs will find their expansion plans severely hampered by a shortage of available space caused by misguided government taxation policy,” comments Gareth Evans, managing director of Bizspace. “The provision of flexible workspace is a growing industry and will continue to be so as SMEs, start-up businesses and entrepreneurs realise that long term leases are no longer a viable option for their business’ workspace needs.
“We’ve have opened more than 50 business centres during the past three years for which demand will continue to increase driven by our dynamic SME sector. This sector needs flexible space in order to prosper but this space will not be available as new developments have stopped and many building owners are now focussed on demolishing vacant buildings. This is happening as a direct result of the punitive taxation penalties introduced last year when the Government decided to withdraw rate relief on empty buildings.”
Basic empty property rate relief on commercial buildings was removed on 1 April 2008, prior to which vacant retail and office space previously received 100% relief for three months and 50% thereafter, while vacant industrial space received 100% relief permanently. Since 1 April 2008 full empty property rates (EPR) became liable on all, commercial, buildings, with three months grace for retail and office space and six months for industrial space.
The Chancellor’s November 2008 Pre-Budget report announced a slight reprieve, stating that for the financial year 2009/10, empty properties with a rateable value of less than £15,000 would be exempt from business rates. This has helped for one year but is only temporary and does not enable any sustainable planning for the long term to take place.
“The Government’s intention by introducing the tax was to pressurise or incentivise property owners to let vacant buildings, but landlords do not keep buildings empty by choice. Buildings are empty because there is a lack of demand, so now, not only does an empty building produce no income, but it is also taxed”.
“A recent report by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), in conjunction with Lambert Smith Hampton, evaluated the period covering the first 12 months after implementation of EPR and found that building owners tended to wait 12 months once a property has become vacant before making a decision to demolish. So, in the current financial climate the level of demolition is most likely to increase.
“Bizspace has specialised in recycling older buildings such as factories, warehouses, mills, office blocks and even supermarkets by sub-diving them into small workspace units for SMEs. We are now finding that owners of vacant buildings are being driven to demolish buildings as a direct result of EPR. This effectively means that the stock of buildings available to the flexible space sector as potential business centres is rapidly diminishing. This also contradicts environmental policy as the environment will suffer in the long term from the energy and resources used to demolish and clear sites. This negative environmental impact however, will be eclipsed by the impact of any new construction on site.
“By encouraging the early demolition of otherwise useful buildings and discouraging new speculative development the imposition of EPR means that there will inevitably be a shortage of flexible workspace for the SME sector. The provision of flexible workspace will be stifled by the very Government directives that set out to help our nation of small businesses. This misguided taxation policy will again set us firmly on a path to boom and bust with rapidly rising rents. This is the opposite of what was intended. “
“We hope that, at the very least, the £15,000 rateable value threshold is retained, but as the Government has picked up an estimated £800m in extra revenue since the new EPR ruling was introduced it seems unlikely that The Chancellor will now want to abandon the scheme. This is despite the fact that since EPR was introduced it is estimated that £690m of EPR revenue has come from the public sector, a ludicrous waste of time, effort and resources transferring money from one public service office to another.
For further information, please contact Gregg Sheen, Bizspace Marketing Director at Gregg.sheen@bizspace.co.uk or Colin Peck in the Bizspace press office on 07802 606433 or email: colinjpeck@aol.comBIZSPACE
ONE of the biggest obstacles that any new business has to overcome is finding the right quality of workspace at the right location and, most importantly, on occupancy terms that provide both the flexibility and agility for the business to grow and prosper in line with market conditions.
Against a background of tough trading conditions and an economy in crisis, many existing businesses are finding it hard to make any long-term plans, so why would an embryonic business want the hassle of being committed to a long-term conventional lease on workspace?
Bizspace is one of the UK’s leading providers of managed workspace to businesses of all sizes and particularly the SME sector. With a client base of more than 3,000 customers at 110 locations, 31 of which are based in the North East, each centre provides a range of flexible accommodation solutions for businesses requiring serviced, managed, conventional and virtual office space, studios, workshops, industrial workspace, storage and self-storage facilities, mailboxes and meeting rooms.
Clients can usually move into their chosen workspace the same day they view it and with licensing and lease periods from as little as one month, their start-up costs, as well as long-term financial commitments, are drastically minimised.
In addition to controlling the day- to-day costs, companies which relocate to flexible managed workspace sidestep all of the liabilities normally associated with traditional workspace acquisition methods. There are no lengthy lease negotiation periods and your rent is fixed for the life of the contract for three months or longer, and there are no hidden building refurbishment clauses which are usually associated with long-term leases. The Bizspace website www.bizspace.co.uk enables users to check out which business centre best suits their needs, or simply telephone sales manager North East and Scotland, Lindsay Newby, on 0870 609 9906.
New Business Venture For Slippery Customers
The increasing popularity of pet snakes, lizards and frogs in the West Midlands has seen the launch of a brand new Birmingham-based business to supply custom-built vivariums.
Based at the Bizspace business centre in Bordesley Green, Castlewood Products was set at the end of 2009 by Steven Lions following increased demand for the high quality vivariums that he had previously built at home.
“The keeping of reptiles and amphibians as pets is tremendously popular and with the growth in sales on the internet and web-based auction sites I decided to launch my own business building vivariums to customer specifications,” comments Steven Lions
“In fact I would have started the business earlier as I tried initially to get a business unit from Solihull Council, from which to work. However, after many months of negotiation, the terms they offered were not financially viable for a start-up business like mine, so I made contact with Bizspace which provided me with a hassle-free start-up solution and a unit which I could access immediately.
“I do supply vivariums to some local pet shops, but at the moment most of my customers come via the internet. I’m currently building about three vivariums a day, but expect this to increase as word of the new venture spreads.”
Bizspace centre manager, Nick Moore, adds “Castlewood Products is typical of the start-up and small businesses that are attracted to our flexible workspace proposition and it was pleasure to provide Steven with workspace that met his needs. We wish him every success in this new venture and hope that his business continues to grow and prosper.”
Note to editors:
Bizspace is one of the UK’s leading providers of managed workspace, offering flexible property licensing or leasing solutions to the SME market. The company provides a range of flexible accommodation solutions for businesses requiring serviced, conventional and virtual office; studios; workshops, industrial workspace; storage and self-storage facilities; mailboxes and meeting rooms.
Bizspace currently owns and operates 110 business centres in England and Scotland and is part of the Highcross Group.
Anyspacedirect.co.uk launched – the place to let UK business space
Anyspacedirect.co.uk provides small and medium-sized businesses in the UK with a fast, direct approach to finding flexible business space. Anyspacedirect puts SMEs in touch directly with flexible business space providers Bizspace, Evans Easyspace and Workspace Group, three of the UK’s largest operators in the flexible business space market.Visitors to the site can browse through a huge range of business space including light-industrial, storage, workshop, studio and office space – all available to let on flexible terms. Businesses searching for space can drill down to see details of individual units and thereafter, can deal with the business space providers direct.Businesses can register their requirements and receive alerts as and when suitable space comes to the market. Founded by Workspace Group, Bizspace, and Evans Easyspace, anyspacedirect.co.uk promotes the UK’s flexible business space sector and builds upon the principles of clarity and choice.
FROM HOME BUSINESS TO MAJOR LINGERIE OUTLET IN JUST FOUR YEARS
A business started just four years trading on an auction website, has today blossomed into one of the UK’s leading outlets for ladies lingerie, proving that the entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well in the UK.
Following sales of everything from metal detectors to toys for boys, Richard and Jacqui Lowe-Jackson acquired some of the massive stock being auctioned off by a major retail warehouse, and Just Bras was born. Initially working fro, home, the new venture soon started to take over their house and so storage space was acquired at Bizspace’s Spotland Bridge business centre in Rochdale.
“However, whilst initial sales were purely over the internet, we could see that there was a massive opportunity for expansion by opening a retail shop within the centre,” comments Jacqui Lowe-Jackson, “And from initially just opening one day a week, the shop is now open six days a week.
“The shop was originally used as a hair and beauty salon, so we decided to add the beauty treatment side of that business to ours. We’ve also recently branched even further with a range of corsets, which we’ve designed in-house and have manufacturer here in the UK. In addition, we’ve also introduced a ‘tailoring service’ where customers can buy a branded bra that has been tailored to their exact needs.”