Expert Office Advice

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.

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. (more…)

Senior executives from 500 leading European companies have named Manchester as the best city for business in the UK outside London. The research, carried out by Cushman & Wakefield, stated that Manchester is the second most attractive UK city/region to invest in, base the business and expand it. The third position is taken by Birmingham.

Looking at a broader list of cities in Europe that are potentially great for developing business, Manchester moved from 18th to 14th place, overtaking places like Dublin and defeating every UK city outside London. Another UK city – Birmingham - has retained its position as the 21st best business city in Europe.

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Stats and information for businesses considering relocation to or setting up an office in Bristol.

Bristol, located in South West England, is the eight largest city in the United Kingdom. It is also one of Europe’s most powerful economies. It has the second strongest economy in England outside of London when measured by GDP per head. Historically, Bristol was one of England’s most important sea ports. Today, the Port of Bristol is UK’s largest car import dock.

Bristol is a beautiful city blessed with a picturesque landscape dotted with distinct neighbourhoods that offer a unique mix of architectural designs influenced by 800 years of history. Bristol’s exceptional blend of heritage, culture and thriving economy continues to attract people and businesses from across Europe and the whole world.

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Vital stats and business information for companies considering relocation to or setting up an office in Brighton.

Brighton is one of the most familiar and recognizable cities in England. It is one city that has enjoyed a lot of publicity and popularity because it is constantly mentioned in music, film and television. But Brighton is so much more than just a popular tourist destination, it also boasts of other distinctions like being an important educational centre in the region what with the two universities and numerous English language schools that serve the youth in the city.

Brighton may be associated with partying but it is a great study in how to promote a city for tourism purposes because it has been effective in really drumming up interest for the area. It is also a great example of how proper handling and management can result in overwhelming success.

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Finding that perfect business space in the heart of UK’s capital is getting harder, as both rent cost and demand are significantly rising.

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Quite often you hear news stories which divulge details about the latest new company to hit our shores, but why in our current economic climate are overseas companies opening branches in the UK? This is indeed a very good question, because as we know, the pound is incredibly strong against almost every other major currency, so moving, setting up and staffing a UK venture can be very costly for the overseas investors. Yet still they come.

Taking a quick walk down any high street in a major city will help to explain. Using London as my example, a gentle stroll on a Saturday afternoon will yield a popular coffee shop on almost every corner; yes you guessed it - Starbucks. Starbucks hit our shores 9 years ago with its first shop in Kings Road, Chelsea, and in that time have grown from strength to strength, popularised by international television and sitcoms, the English people are no longer satisfied in the café anymore, instead we want elegance, we want choice and more importantly we want it now. Furnished better than many homes, it’s a place to meet, share and enjoy while taking in the atmosphere and of course, get a cup of gourmet coffee.

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The recent climate change in the financial markets has forced several companies to re-think their localities, opting instead to move out to cheaper real estate to increase margins and reduce costs. But are the moves coincidental or are companies still being shepherded to specific locations for their needs?

Well it seems that moving your business is a good idea, several locations around the UK are proving themselves to be beneficial for certain types of business. More northern cities for example are lending themselves very well indeed to companies such as call centres and offices where building charges are much lower compared to the likes of London and Birmingham. The long depression that these locations were faced with has meant that their growth has been delayed, forcing the locals to place their futures in their skills and abilities. This is evident in the recent moves of many of the internet based businesses, such as website designers, graphic designers and sound engineers who all seem to have congregated in the general area of Manchester.

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Vital stats and business information for companies considering relocation to or setting up an office in Aberdeen.

Originally settled nearly 8,000 years ago and given Royal Burgh status in 1319, today Aberdeen is Scotland’s third largest city. Aberdeen’s traditional industries of fishing, shipbuilding, textiles and paper-making have given way to its oil industry, seaport and heliport - one of the world’s busiest. So much so that the city is now known as the Oil Capital of Europe.

The city is also considered the educational centre of Scotland’s North East with two prestigious universities located there.

Aberdeen has a fine art gallery, hosts the Aberdeen International Youth Festival and is a ten time winner of the prestigious Britain in Bloom competition.

Population
202,370

Migration, immigration, ethnic diversity, basic population demographics
• Aberdeen is an ethnically diverse community
• although the city is populated by majority Scots and a smattering of the English, three per cent of the population come from ethnic minorities like Indians and Asians
• Even though the ethnic representation in Aberdeen is higher than the national average of two per cent, it is still lower than other major cities like Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee.

Unemployment/employment rate
• Aberdeen boasts of having the lowest unemployment rate in the whole of the Scottish mainland.
• The unemployment rate in the city stands at 1.6 per cent, which is way below the national average of 4.5 per cent.

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