Commitment phobic with commercial property leases?

Signing up to new office space can be daunting for any organisation. One look at a commercial property lease agreement can be off putting for many businesses, particularly start ups or companies that are growing rapidly and may not know what their future holds.

Serviced business centres are fast becoming the alternative for businesses looking for a more flexible approach to conventional leases – and they can be cheaper, particularly in property hot spots of city centres.

Karen Pugh, Facilities Manager at Enterprise North East Trust (Enterprise), oversees more than 40,000 square feet of serviced office space across the north east of Scotland. She comments, "Conventional leases are a very sound option for a lot of businesses, particularly those that need to secure premises for the long term. But the north east area is fast becoming a hot bed of innovative start up business enterprises with high growth potential and for these, and others which do not need to be linked with a property in the long term, signing a conventional property lease is not appropriate to their needs. With virtual offices and technology advancing remote working, many businesses are opting out of restrictive property arrangements."

Enterprise has recognised the need in the region for a more flexible approach to property leasing and is operating ten business centres across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire which have fully flexible terms for tenants.

Karen Pugh continues, "There are many benefits to taking office space in a business centre, but for many businesses the most attractive factor is cost."

Research undertaken by Enterprise shows that the cost of 500 square feet of office space in one of its central Aberdeen business centres is up to 50% cheaper than a conventional office lease.

Karen says, "The savings that can be found in business centres are considerable. All expenses are included in the monthly rent including utilities, all cleaning and maintenance, security, air conditioning and more. In addition to cost savings, a good business centre will provide a host of other services as part of its package such as telephone answering and visitor reception, access to meeting and conference rooms and the latest in IT and broadband without having to pay for installation.

"Feedback from business centre tenants also suggests that business centres are also a hassle free alternative. The terms are easy in and easy out, with flexible contracts. And tenants do not have to lift a finger when it comes to all cleaning, internal and external and refuse collection, health and safety management and gardening. Parking is aplenty at most centres and is another hassle saved for all employees."

According to Karen, offices in business centres can also usually be adjusted to suit the exact size and configuration a client requires.

Enterprise operates ten fully serviced business centres across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire including the flagship Riverview Centre in the city. Riverview offers top spec fully serviced offices for organisations of all sizes from one person to twelve. The all inclusive monthly fee includes rent, rates, utilities, telephone answering, secretarial support and access to professional meeting and conference rooms.

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For further information contact

Caroline Cull
Tricker PR
Tel 01224 654083
Mob 07795 522011
Email ccull@trickerpr.com