London’s office space is some of the best and most in-demand in the UK. But there are various advantages for businesses looking for workspaces in other UK cities. Here, we have compiled 11 reasons to rent office space outside London.
1. Reduced Overheads
Renting an office outside of London is an excellent way to reduce costs as office rates in regional areas tend to be much cheaper than in London.
London is known for having some of the highest rental prices in the world, whereas large cities like Birmingham, Manchester, and Leeds offer office spaces for significantly lower prices.
This allows businesses renting in cheaper locations to allocate funds more strategically, investing in talent and new technology.
Businesses looking to save additional money rent serviced offices to minimise their long-term business expenses as their price is all-inclusive.
2. Business Collaboration & Networking Opportunities
Offices outside of London are excellent for businesses looking to rent workspaces in industry-specific areas.
Different UK regions have their strengths in terms of the economy and industry. For example, Birmingham is well-known for engineering and manufacturing, whereas Cambridge is known for bioscience and technology.
By being in an area well-known for your industry, you can take advantage of local resources that may not have been available in London and increase the likelihood of collaborating with other businesses.
Serviced offices provide excellent opportunities for connecting with other organisations, as they often host networking events for businesses renting workspace.
3. Access to New Markets and Customer Bases
Many organisations benefit from renting offices in UK cities with underserved markets. These locations offer businesses rich opportunities to improve their presence and customer relations.
By basing themselves closer to these customers, they can better understand business demands and needs by working directly with the consumers. This would be more difficult in London due to the increased competition between businesses.
For example, Swansea offers urban and coastal living for its growing student community. Sustainable, technology and digital media industries may find underrepresented markets here.
4. Government Incentives
Local governments outside of London support businesses renting offices in their city. In suburban areas, the government employs tax incentives and grants to help stimulate the economy.
Areas like Hull offer companies reduced business rates and many other incentives, including tax breaks.
If you’re a newer or smaller organisation, you may benefit from offices in similar areas while getting into the rhythm of running a company.
5. Increased Flexibility and Space
Businesses renting workspace outside of London can see their money go further as other UK cities often provide more desk space per person at a similar price. This additional room can be used for dedicated facilities, such as meeting rooms and breakout areas.
6. Improved Work-life Balance
Renting an office outside London is an excellent way of improving employee work-life balance.
London has high levels of traffic and congestion, making commuting more time-consuming. The reduction in city workers means that public transport is less crowded.
Employees have more time to relax, hang out with family members, and pursue their hobbies, improving their work-life balance.
Known for its notoriously high cost of living, London has high prices on everything from groceries to housing. Employees can enjoy a higher disposable income by renting office spaces in other major UK cities, improving their quality of life and job satisfaction.
7. Less Pollution
Pollution levels in London frequently surpass safe limits, making air quality a growing concern. Cities outside of London tend to offer a healthier alternative with cleaner air, reducing employee health issues and improving productivity.
Similarly, many UK cities have green spaces comparable to London's. Employees can take advantage of these during their breaks and enjoy fresh air to improve their mental health and reduce stress.
8. Reduced Noise and Congestion
Certain areas of London have become hotspots for noise complaints. Many offices in London experience loud and disruptive traffic noises, which can hinder productivity. Businesses renting offices elsewhere tend to benefit from the quieter surroundings and calmer work environments.
UK cities have less congestion and traffic, making it easier for employees to use cycling routes and green public transport. Many cities, like Bristol and Nottingham, have bicycle networks that are great for commuting to work. However, unlike London, commuting is healthier for staff.
9. Access to a Diverse Talent Pool
Although London has a wide array of talent within the city, there is high competition for top-tier professionals. By looking outside London and avoiding the crowded job market, businesses can access a diverse range of skilled individuals that may have otherwise been overlooked.
Universities throughout the UK produce highly qualified and enthusiastic graduates. Companies leasing offices in different areas can also recruit equally skilled professionals from a diverse talent pool.
Another benefit is that there is better access for those with disabilities outside London. Some central areas of London have accessibility issues, making it difficult for talented employees with disabilities to travel.
Organisations based in other major cities benefit by having access to these underrepresented individuals.
It is usual for companies in London to compete with one another for the same top-tier candidate, whereas this is less so for other areas of the UK.
Competition is less intense in other cities, resulting in reduced salary expectations. Businesses can access and retain a vast range of skilled employees without rivalling other organisations.
10. Improved Employee Retention
Employees working outside London benefit from improved work-life balance, reduced living costs, and shorter commute times. This increases work satisfaction and reduces turnover rates, so less money is used on recruiting and training new talents.
11. Stronger Community Engagement and Opportunities
Due to their smaller size, regional cities offer benefits such as increased community engagement. Business communities are more vibrant, and many provide networking opportunities where partnerships can form.
Engaging in these events can improve the reputation of organisations renting offices outside London.
Many businesses in these cities experience enhanced customer loyalty as residents tend to be more interconnected with local organisations.
Lots of companies engage in community projects and events, working with charities to build positive relationships that improve their brand's image.
The unique attributes of many UK cities make renting an office outside London a compelling choice. These cities offer many opportunities, from the large talent pool in areas like Edinburgh to the sustainable infrastructure in Nottingham and Bristol.
Businesses must make informed decisions to find the best city for their company needs.
