If you’re out of the start-up phase and you’ve been enjoying a steady flow of business for some time, you may now be drawing up plans to move the company off of cyberspace and into its first premises. The sheer scale of this move can be pretty daunting, but if you approach it the right way it can be smooth and hassle-free. Here are some important considerations when you’re planning the big move…

Accessibility

One of the first things you need to consider is how accessible your commercial premises is going to be for everyone that needs to get into it. In a lot of cases, at least some of the work will be done for you. For example, if you’re looking for an industrial unit, most of these are going to be well-equipped for loading large shipments into lorries. However, they may not be all that great for having meetings with partners, stakeholders and other visitors. You may find yourself having to stretch your budget out for things like extra furnishings, décor, directional signage, and so on. Depending on the structure of the unit, you may even have to erect new walls or install access ramps. Accessibility is extremely important to consider, so put it at the top of your list.

Proximity to Local Amenities

Obviously, some of your workforce are going to have to commute to the new premises, so its distance from local transport links is a very important thing to consider. However, thinking about amenities shouldn’t stop there. You may need regular access to a bank for depositing cash and cheques from clients, and a post office for sending and picking up the masses of mail that small businesses usually have to deal with. Finally, think about food joints, shops and entertainment. This is something many small business owners neglect completely, but believe me it’s very important. A short commute from transport links is something that will make your workforce that much happier, and being able to kick back with their colleagues after work or during their lunch hour is one more. Employee morale has a direct link with productivity, in case you can’t think about shops and entertainment out of sheer altruism!

Possibility for Conversion

Sourcing any kind of property that suits your needs is difficult, and this is especially true when it comes to commercial premises. Having considered the two points above, you may find that none of the units within your budget are suited to your business’s unique needs. If this is the case, you may want to work on sourcing a cheaper premises, that was originally intended for another purpose. In this situation, you’ll need to apply for planning permission in order to convert the property. There are only a few exceptions pertaining to industrial usage classes, and these only cover what’s known as “light” industrial units, which are deemed appropriate for a residential neighbourhood. As tricky as these regulations can be to navigate, your hands may be tied.

When planning to move your business into its own premises, make sure to consider these three points!