During
2013, small businesses have accounted for 47 per cent of private sector
employment and a third of all turnover in the UK, meaning small
businesses are definitely having a huge impact on the UK economy. The
result of this is that the patterns of working life is changing. Small
businesses and start ups need as little pressure as possible, so costly
rental agreements and office overheads can be off-putting. At Birchwood
Park, we’re seeing an increased demand for short-term lets and hot
desking packages.
Hot desking can be a great option for
start-ups, who might not be able to commit to costly office rent
contracts but need a professional environment for meetings. The
flexibility afforded by hot desking allows for peace of mind with
forward financial planning, too, which can be a concern for a new
business. As well, the sense of belonging to a wider business community,
and having the amenities of a big business at your disposal, can be
invaluable to a new start-up’s success.
Hot desking is a viable
and attractive options for freelancers, too. Working from home can be
filled with distractions, whether it’s kids screaming on the street or
the constant call of the fridge. A professional environment is sometimes
all that’s needed to focus the mind. The opportunity for collaboration
between freelancers is enormously increased by hot desking spaces, too.
Freelancing can sometimes be isolating, but working alongside others
both boosts social interaction and encourages creative, mutually
beneficial partnerships with freelancers from other disciplines.
There’s
an increasing desire for beautiful workplaces with top flight
facilities on your office doorstep, and this is coming from start-ups
and ‘one man bands’ as well as more established businesses. We’ve just
commissioned research into what people want from their workplace, and
this shows that workers are expecting more. Over a third want green
spaces to visit at lunchtime, and the same number cite pleasant office
surroundings and a sense of community as key to being happy at work.
As
a result, we’re going to be introducing hot desking options from 2014
to bring the Birchwood Park experience to all sizes of businesses. Our
‘small suites’ will be available to hire on short term contracts, on an
hourly, daily and weekly basis, with all the amenities of the Park
available to use: a dedicated conference centre, three Starbucks cafes,
free wi-fi, creche and a gym.
It’s our aim to create the premium
hot desking destination in the North West for freelancers and
start-ups. We believe that the creativity and new ideas of freelancers
and start-ups will enhance the community buzz and spirit of
entrepreneurship we encourage at Birchwood Park. In return, we can offer
them smart spaces and opportunities to grow their businesses through
collaboration and partnerships.
Any comments? Email sarah@mashmedia.net
