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Office Freedom
  • 2 Minute Read
  • 11th September 2008

What are serviced offices?

Even if the concept emerged in the 1960’s, we still find many businesses that are not aware of the incredible opportunity of a flexible working environment that is offered when renting a serviced office space. Search Office Space, the Original Global office broker has decided to unveil what a serviced office really is and what options are open to businesses apart from traditional office space, no matter the size of their requirement.

A serviced office comes fully furnished. This is a shared office space that business centre operators let on a short term and flexible basis. Companies can rent space from 1 month to 5 years and also have the opportunity to upsize or downsize easily. In most centres, meeting and training rooms are also available on a pay as you go basis, so you can actually rent an office for an hour.

There are today 1000’s of business centre operators worldwide, from leaders like Regus or MWB to small independent operators, they all offer a great range of services in branded or unbranded buildings.

When renting a serviced office, tenants pay for a package of services. There is only one bill to pay per month, which usually includes the following:

  • 24 Hour Access

  • Air Conditioning

  • Alarm or manned security

  • Audio Visual Presentation Equipment

  • CAT 5 Cabling

  • Catering Facilities / Refreshments

  • Colour Photocopying

  • DDI

  • E1 + (Broadband)

  • Flood Wired

  • Internet Access

  • ISDN

  • Kitchen Facility

  • Leased Line

  • Lift / Elevator

  • Lounge Area

  • Managed Reception

  • Meeting Rooms / Boardroom / Conference

  • Message taking

  • Office Furniture

  • On Site Management and Staff

  • Personalised Telephone Answering

  • Photocopying and Faxing

  • Postal / Franking Collection

  • Secretarial and Administrative Services

  • Stationery / Courier Administration

  • Video Conferencing

  • Virtual Office Services

This means that tenants only have to run their business and do not need to worry about the rest, as everything is taken care of by the business centre operator.

The main advantage is obviously the flexibility. Serviced offices are usually a great match for start ups and SMEs. When running a business, the first few years are particularly uncertain and in this case, the flexibility offered by the serviced office industry has proven to be ideal. It can also be a great match for corporate, looking for project space for few months or years. It can save a large amount of money and hassle.

When looking for fully serviced offices to let, businesses can go direct to the business centre. However, there are so many centres that the search for a serviced office can rapidly become a nightmare. There are different office brokers offering search facilities to businesses, helping them to find the right office, in the right location and at the right budget. Search Office Space, the Original Global office broker, provides a free online and offline service for users to search for serviced offices globally. They have developed an international database of property owners who offer serviced office space in over 6,000 locations through a continually growing website. The service is free, impartial and personal.

For all businesses needing an office space to let, please call 0800 740 8080, email [email protected] or go to www.searchofficespace.com.

Written by Emily Mouquot, Marketing Director, 11/09/2008.