Expert Office Advice

The annual European Cities Monitor 2009 has named London, Paris and Frankfurt as the three best business cities in Europe. Carried out by Cushman & Wakefield since 1990, the survey invites 500 of Europe’s biggest companies to express their opinions and score each city on various criteria.

Birmingham was announced as the best performing city in Europe this year, as it made the sharpest move up the list by seven positions.

34 European cities are assessed taking into consideration the overall quality of life, telecoms, access to markets, quality of staff, cost of business accommodation and transport networks.

Rank 2009 (position in 2008)

1. (1) London
2. (2) Paris
3. (3) Frankfurt
4. (5) Barcelona
5. (4) Brussels
6. (7) Madrid
7. (9) Munich
8. (6) Amsterdam
9. (8) Berlin
10. (13) Milan
(…)
14. (21) Birmingham
16. (14) Manchester
24. (28) Leeds
29. (27) Glasgow

Download full report from EuropeanCitiesMonitor.eu (opens in a .pdf file)

A recent survey carried out by an internet service provider Lumison shows that nearly 70 per cent of office workers engage in less face-to-face communication compared with 2004.

The survey revealed that advanced technology and easy access to instant messaging, mobile phone or email widely used in the workplace are reducing the direct interaction between colleagues.

Interestingly, when it came down to giving negative news, nearly 95 per cent of respondents preferred doing it face-to-face.

Attempts to renegotiate a more favourable office lease instead of relocating are on the increase, a new survey shows.

According to a recent survey carried out by Savills, approximately half of office occupiers believe that one thing they can control in the current situation is business accommodation costs.

Just over 80 per cent of survey respondents preferred to reduce business costs by getting a better lease deal with the current landlord than relocating.

Some of the key points while renegotiating were lower rent, more flexible lease terms (40 per cent) and lowering the service charge (32 per cent). Others admitted their preferred method of cutting costs would be subleasing some of their office space.

According to Savills, the UK take up in the first half of 2009 was down by 46% compared to the first half of 2008.

The survey also revealed some interesting numbers, including the fact that 46 per cent of respondents preferred an in-town location, and 73 per cent opting for a new build property.

Ugly architectural eyesores of Manchester now have a dedicated society, aimed at saving both grand and ordinary, cherished and neglected structures in the city.

The Manchester Modernist Society has been launched in Manchester by a small group of urban enthusiasts. Formed by Maureen Ward and Jack Hale, the society inspires people to look again at the buildings which are central to Manchester’s cityscape.

The society recognises that the city by its very nature erases itself as it expands throughout history, they enjoy the untidy relics of past lives it leaves in its wake. Read the rest of this entry »

Chester Station will be receiving £1.4 million in funding which will go towards providing new passenger facilities such as a waiting room, an improved access to platforms and new office accommodation at the historic Grade II listed train station.

The investment comes from the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), which leads the regeneration and economic development of England’s Northwest.

According to Mark Hughes, Executive Director (Economic Development, NWDA) following the recent increase of direct train services between London and Chester, a better station will help businesses to capitalise on new opportunities. Read the rest of this entry »

Councils in the North East region are being urged to reject a potential new “workplace” parking tax.

The UK’s first workplace parking charge to be implemented will be in Nottingham, and it is highly likely that other councils across the country will follow suit.

Nottingham City Council was recently given the green light by the Government to impose the workplace parking levy to help fund its £150 million contribution to extensions of the Nottingham tram system.

Under the scheme, any company with more than 10 staff parking spaces will have to cover the £250 annual charge for each one. It is planned that this charge would rise to £350 per space after two years.

The new parking tax has been labelled ‘outrageous’ by businesses in the area, as it seems inconsiderate to put an additional tax burden on firms at a time when Nottingham businesses, workforce and households will be recovering from a deep recession.

Richard Elphick, IoD chairman in the North East, expressed fears that this strategy has not been thought through properly. Read the rest of this entry »

Office block buildings in Manchester could be used to combat global warming by featuring roof-top gardens.

It’s predicted that temperatures in the heart of the city are expected to reach 40C in the forthcoming decades.

A range of heat-reducing techniques will be tested to help office workers endure baking conditions. Among them are natural ventilation systems and installation of canopies and terrace areas on the roofs of buildings.

Researchers and scientists at Manchester University will work with a local office rental firm and the council to test the proposed ideas. Environmental experts are already encouraging city businesses to consider providing more park areas and water features to protect the city workers and residents from the sun.

Parks and water features are big contributors in the process of cooling down urban areas, whilst roof-top green spaces also act as insulation in winter months.

Planning to relocate your business to Manchester? View available Manchester Office Space on Office Connection.

According to a new report, Liverpool may be considered one of the best spots in the UK to relocate a business to due to its cost effective occupancy rates.

The research was carried out by CB Richard Ellis (CBRE) and shows that occupancy costs were down by 3.1% in the last year, priced at as low as £31.50 per square foot.

Compared to other main UK cities, it was £13 less than in Manchester (£44.50 per square foot) and £40.75 less than in the City of London (£72.25 per square foot).

CBRE spokesperson Mark Worthington said that Liverpool can offer office space that is as good as anywhere else in the country, but at a significantly lower rate.

Office Connection has a range of affordable Liverpool office space available to view now.

Losing your job due to the worldwide recession is stressful enough without having to worry about outdated business cards.

A group of former TBWA\Chiat\Day employees have come up with a creative way of reusing their old business cards – by crossing out the obsolete information and adding a little statement.

The idea took off and now you can browse the worldwide collection of Cards of Change online, submit your own, look for perspective partners and employees, or simply get inspired.

Photo: ©Cardsofchange.com

According to Prof Peter Stoney, business expert at the University of Liverpool’s management school, Liverpool’ Capital of Culture status in 2008 has softened some of the detrimental effects of the nationwide economic recession. As Liverpool Daily Post reports, companies are relocating to Liverpool that otherwise wouldn’t have, and an improved quality of life and cultural offering is helping to tackle Liverpool’s problem of a draining population.

Looking t relocate your business to Liverpool? Find affordable office space in and around Liverpool or call us on 0800 2300400 to find out more.