Location, Location, Location: 5 Office Search Essentials

The office has traditionally been the heart of the business, providing a space where employees can come together to create the company culture and values. And while this is still true in a post-pandemic world, choosing the right office is crucial to creating this environment.

We’ve previously discussed what office perks and amenities are important, but the location is just as crucial. After all, your employees probably won’t want to travel to your office if it’s in a less-than-desirable location. Here, we’ll go through why location is important to a business and our top tips for finding the perfect space for your company to call home.

Why Is Location Important For A Business?

Whether in terms of collaboration and productivity or organisational culture, the office is an important factor of any business. During the Covid-19 pandemic, it was found that 39% of employees struggled to maintain a strong connection as informal social networks weakened, while those who did not work from the same location as their manager felt less likely to be recognised for their efforts.

But while we know that physical offices are important, it is their location that can be make or break for businesses. In Q4 of 2022, there was a take-up of 2.98 million sq ft in London office space, with the West End, City and Southbank and Docklands and Stratford being amongst the top areas for office take-up. This supports the idea that the more central city locations with a variety of local amenities are what occupiers are looking for.

And now that workers are back to work on a more full time basis (it’s been reported that 58% of workers have returned to the offices full time) the need for an office space is much more apparent. If you’re looking for your next office space, here are some things you should be on the lookout for.

Five Business Location Factors to Consider

1. Travel connections

Some may be out of the habit of a daily work commute, but good travel connections will always be a selling point for employees. Choosing an office space close to public transport is fundamental if you want to attract your employees to the office. This could be having an office space that offers bike storage, car parking, local train stations and bus stops.

The recent opening of the newest Elizabeth Line means that workers in nearby commuter towns — spanning from Essex through to Reading and Heathrow airport — can travel into central London faster than ever, cutting the travel time between Liverpool Street and Canary Wharf from 21 minutes to six. Considering an office along the Elizabeth Line can put you in a prime location from East to West London while providing easy and fast access for staff.

But before you settle on the location of your next office, consider not only where your colleagues commute from, but where your client meetings are held. If they tend to happen at your office, it’s best to have your office easily accessible.

If meetings in a central location aren’t necessary for your business, other opportunities may be unlocked. Think about whether you can make life even easier for your employees when travelling to work, by considering a coworking space closer to their homes.

2. Green spaces

Integrating green spaces into our offices — from indoor plants to rooftop gardens — is nothing new. But what about proximity to green spaces outside of the office?

A 2019 study found that people who spent at least two hours in nature per week were more likely to report higher levels of health and wellbeing when compared to people who spent less time in nature.

As health and wellbeing both have important roles to play in motivation and productivity in the workplace, choosing a location that offers employees easy access to green spaces could prove highly beneficial to your team. Offices near parks, commons and other open spaces will allow employees to take in nature during lunches, walks and runs outside.

3. Lively atmosphere

Company culture is crucial to creating a space that people want to work in. The right culture is what makes your business what it is and focuses primarily on the employees. But the area of your office can have an impact on your culture. After being able to work remotely through the pandemic — and with many businesses giving the option to work from home — you need to offer something more than your employees own neighbourhood.

If local restaurants, bars, pubs and shops are limited in the area you’re looking at for your next office, you may want to look elsewhere.

Consider locations that could become an extension of your office environment and encourage a positive work life balance, with spaces that can be utilised for coffee meetings, team lunches and out-of-hour social events. That way, you can reap the rewards associated with a happier team who feel a real sense of community at work.

4. Networking opportunities

There is another compelling business case for a prime office location — proximity to existing and potential clients and partners. It’s important to consider the opportunities you have to network with prospects and garner inspiration from your peers. There’s a reason why hedge funds want to be in Mayfair, while media firms choose Soho, for instance.

If you’re unsure of where is best to be, or your client base fluctuates, flexible workspaces with multiple locations may be a good solution. They are becoming increasingly attractive to enterprises because of the agility they provide, as well as for their collaboration-based design and ideal locations. Many flexible office providers will also host their own networking events, to promote mingling between the professionals renting out the space.

5. Fitness facilities

Employees who lead an active lifestyle are likely to be more productive. This is because exercise increases blood flow to the brain, meaning employees experience boosted energy and alertness, sharpening concentration and decision-making skills.

But in sedentary roles, how can you encourage movement amongst your workforce?

Within the actual office, look for somewhere that includes amenities such as fitness studios and meditation rooms. But if this isn’t possible, put office spaces near gyms and leisure centres near the top of your ‘must-have’ list to help keep your team healthy and happy both inside and outside of work.

Finding the Right Business Location With Knight Frank

With these key insights, searching for and selecting the right office location for your business should feel more straightforward. If you’re looking for your next office space, get in touch with our Flexible Office Solutions team. With access to some of the most sought-after locations in London, Knight Frank is on hand to help with your hunt, whenever you’re ready.