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.

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has published its Commercial Market Survey for the Q4 of 2008, pointing out that occupier demand and enquiries declined at the fastest pace in the survey’s history (since 1998) with retail the worst performing sector for the second consecutive quarter, followed by the office and industrial sectors.

The market downturn coincides with the process of economy recession, forcing businesses to re-evaluate their spending and focus on cost effective solutions.

RICS report also shows that the amount of available floor space for occupation has also rapidly increased, at the fastest pace on RICS record.

London and the South has experience the sharpest increase in incentives offered by landlords.

Resources:
Download Q4 Commercial Market Survey (opens as a.pdf file)

With Christmas swiftly approaching, many businesses are asking themselves – what is the maximum legal spending limit on a Christmas Party whilst still qualifying for a tax exemption in the United Kingdom?

If you are planning an office Christmas party, you can receive a tax exemption depending on how much is spent per person. The maximum amount that can be spent per head annually on corporate events or parties is £150.

This £150 per head includes everything for the event, from food, hiring the venue, transport and entertainment. This maximum also covers alcoholic beverages. You must ensure you don’t go over the maximum spend per attendee, or you will be liable to pay tax on the whole amount, even if it’s just a few pounds over the limit.

If you allow employees to bring spouses or dates, the same applies. The tax exemption is per person at the event, not only people employed by the company. Just remember the £150 tax exemption is for the whole year, so if you held a summer gala or event, this would have to be taken into account.

Click here for more tips on Office Christmas Parties.

When planning a meeting it is easy to forget that the room in which you are holding the meeting is a key element that should be given due attention. A bit of planning before the meeting as to the seating, refreshments, heating/cooling, presentation and other arrangements can go a long way towards ensuring a successful and productive meeting.

(more…)

Company branding in the office is a technique that many companies utilize. Placement of logos and slogans is supposed to increase brand awareness to the users of the objects. The company can either use the pens, mugs and mouse pads to attempt to increase brand awareness in the company itself or to clients and exterior stakeholders.

(more…)

Glasgow city council has recently introduced its initiative to offer small businesses two years of rent-free office accommodation in order to support start-up companies.

(more…)