Small Businesses Making Big Moves: Office move case studies

Upgrading your office can be a really rewarding experience, especially for startups and small businesses. It often happens when you are experiencing growth and need more room to expand your team and give everyone the space to explore their potential. 

We’ve outlined two case studies where startups and small businesses have asked us to find them a new office space, looking at the reasons behind their move and any requirements they had. We’ve also put together some tips if you’re looking to make your move.

accuRx

Moved to: Haggerston

Why: They were expanding and needed a bigger space

accuRx are a UK startup who have developed Chain SMS, a messaging service for GP practices which allows healthcare teams to easily contact patients and vice versa.

The accuRx team were expanding and they wanted to find a space to grow into as the team developed. It was also important for them to nurture their company culture and find a space that felt like home.

They had quite a few requirements when it came to finding the perfect office space. A lot of their team were keen runners so they wanted to find somewhere with good shower facilities. They also wanted a space with good access to natural light.

One of their additional design features included an extra-long, multi-functional table. They use this for lunches, meetings and even games of ping pong – it really is that versatile!

They also added a large bespoke curtain to the office. This provided the space with some acoustic softening and also allowed the team a chance to reinforce their brand identity within the office furnishings. 

The Plum Guide

Moved to: Telephone House, Shoreditch

Why: They were expanding and needed a bigger space

The Plum Guide is a London-based vacation rental company. They aim to curate a selective list of holiday homes and short-term lets from the top 25 booking sites so that you can find the best place to stay during your city break.

Although the company was only 4 years old when they decided to move, they were expanding fast! They needed somewhere to enable their growth, so they moved from their old office, which was 1,900 sqft, to their new office in Telephone House, which is 7,000 sqft.

They had been looking for an office space for a couple of months but they weren’t really getting anywhere with the traditional agencies, who didn’t understand their vision or their growth plan. 

However, they discovered they had a real connection with our team and we helped them to find their new office within four weeks. The Plum Guide team recommend finding an agency who you connect with and who understand your goals for the new office space.

The importance of a successful office move for small businesses

While moving office is a great sign that your small business is growing and thriving as it should, it can still feel like an overwhelming decision to make. It’s important not to enter into a new lease agreement in a panic, but instead carefully consider what your aim is for the new office.

Here are some steps to consider if you’re looking to make your move:

Set a budget

The first thing to determine when you’re making your office move is the price range you’re looking at. This will really help to narrow your search, both in terms of office type and location.

Make a list of your requirements

The next step will be to make a list of your requirements. First and foremost, this will be the size that you need, which you can determine by using an office space calculator. This will also include any facilities that are important for your employees, as well as office features such as layout and access to natural light.

Ask for your employees’ opinions

It’s important to find an office which meets the needs of everyone, which is why you need to take the time to ask your employees what they require from the new workspace. This could be anything from proximity to public transport to the availability of quiet spaces.

Go to lots of viewings

As we mentioned before, it can be easy to panic and rush into a decision but you need to avoid doing this. Take your time, view a range of different options (perhaps even some outside of your direct requirements) and wait for the right office.

Listen to your gut feeling

Both of the companies we mentioned in our case studies said they felt an instant connection with the office they moved to. It’s important to really feel an affinity with the space you are moving to, as this is where your company will continue to grow, evolve and succeed.