Business relocation is one of the most stressful but exciting aspects of running your own company – consequently it is not to be taken lightly.
The background
What are your motivations for relocating your business? Are you struggling to find experienced staff in your present location, want to upgrade your existing facilities, or lower the costs you are paying now? Your decision as to where and what to move your business premises to will be largely dictated by time scales, your capital outlay and the level of input you can make. Above all, it’s crucial that a business relocation plan does not distract from the day-to-day running of your business.
The process
There is no set time for how long business relocation takes – and sometimes you will have little choice in the matter. But there are areas you can control from the outset. Before embarking on a location search, appoint someone in your business to take charge of the relocation process who will be responsible for ensuring that all key departments (such as finance, IT and human resources) are kept informed of relocation developments at every stage. Then it’s time to get external help on board – typically this will include a lawyer, fit-out provider and a commercial agent.
Who to get on board
Many growing businesses make use of business relocation services such as fit-out specialists – they provide a range of services including design, IT and furniture layout as well as the physical move. If you need to move quickly, to keep an eye on your costs and don’t have the necessary in-house expertise or resources, it’s an option to consider. Bear in mind that a good fit-out partner will have solid experience of your business sector, but it’s just as important to ensure you get on with them as they will be part of one of the most stressful aspects of running your business for that period.
Need to know
There are various business relocation incentives in the form of grants available to companies considering a move. Check out the websites of Gateway to London (www.gtlon.co.uk) and Business Link (www.businesslink.gov.uk). Top tips Business relocation checklist
• Ensure you have a valid reason to relocate.
• Before you make your choice, draw up a short list and visit all the sites to give you a feel of working there.
• Assess how much it will cost in terms of fitting out the new premises, and potential lost customers and revenues.
• Make sure your staff are aware of all the changes – a business relocation unsettles staff morale. Consider their commute and the affect it will have on their desire to remain with the business.
