Should you stay or go? How to make the right decision for your business

Often prompted by a lease event, quality of building, or changing requirements of the business, the “stay vs. go” question carries significant strategic, financial and cultural weight. The right decision can unlock opportunity and strengthen performance; the wrong one can create years of operational and financial constraint.

What’s driving the decision?

Traditionally, break options or an expiry would be the main trigger for assessing the suitability of a building, but increasingly this is being driven by obsolescence: is the building still fulfilling business needs? As the role of the workplace has changed, occupiers recognise the importance of considering whether their space still supports their people and purpose.

Location, space efficiency, sustainability and cost are also all central to the decision. Exploring what type of space will help the business to perform better, operationally but also increasingly whether the existing building aligns with ESG commitments and long-term growth ambitions: is the building going to be fit for purpose for the duration of the lease, or does it need extensive and potentially disruptive renovations?

The case for staying

In the current market, the “stay” option is being considered more seriously than ever before.

High-quality, Grade A stock remains limited in many core locations, and new developments often command premium rents. Combined with rising fit-out costs and growing competition for best-in-class space, renewal and refurbishment is increasingly attractive and less disruptive to employees in terms of commute and familiarity of location.  

Remaining in situ offers stability, continuity, and cost efficiency. Employees are already familiar with the location, transport links and local amenities, whilst a refreshed fit-out can improve functionality without the upheaval of a full relocation.

From an environmental standpoint, reusing existing structures and materials can significantly reduce embodied carbon, helping to support net zero goals.

Advantages of staying include:

• Retain occupation of familiar building and location
• Minimal business disruption and continuity of operations
• A more financially palatable decision when compared with the ‘go’
• Lower embodied carbon (in some instances) and less waste​
• The potential to refresh the space within the fixed existing structure
• Collaborate with the landlord to deliver a more energy efficient building and bespoke solution

However, staying put can have limitations. Refurbishment in an occupied building can be disruptive, and older buildings may struggle to meet modern sustainability or amenity expectations without significant investment. There is also a risk that retained premises may not fully support evolving ways of working or brand perception.

Challenges of staying include:

• On-site disruption during refurbishment or M&E upgrades
• Limited ability to fully reconfigure the space
• Ongoing maintenance of ageing infrastructure
• Potential compromise on long-term flexibility and specification
• The impact on staff retention and talent attraction

The case for going

Relocating provides an opportunity to reimagine how the workplace supports people and performance.

A move can create a fresh brand statement, enable the adoption of new technologies or agile working practices and align the business with modern ESG standards. It can also offer access to enhanced amenities and locations that better reflect company culture and employee expectations, helping to attract and retain staff.

Advantages of going include:

• Opportunity to design a bespoke solution from the ground up
• Access to higher sustainability ratings and improved building performance
• Enhanced talent attraction and retention through better amenities
• Ability to reset lease terms for greater flexibility
• Stronger alignment with brand, culture and growth strategy

However, relocation involves significant capital expenditure and careful planning.
Competition for prime space remains high in major UK markets, and the process can be disruptive if not carefully managed. Costs associated with moving, fitting out and downtime will be weighed carefully against the long-term benefits.

Challenges of going include:

• Higher upfront investment and relocation costs
• Longer lead times due to limited availability of suitable stock
• Business disruption during the transition period
• Risks associated with the delivery of a new building and fit-out

Making the right choice, at the right time

Understanding the wider business objectives - from headcount forecasts and operational needs to culture, growth ambitions and cost parameters - is essential to making the right decision.

Detailed analysis comparing stay and go options across financial, operational and qualitative metrics, in addition to cost appraisals, disruption assessments and ESG benchmarking can provide a clear view of each scenario. Looking at data such as staff travel mapping, amenity scoring and occupier matrix assessments can also help to evaluate how each location aligns with employee needs and business priorities.

Particularly for larger occupiers or those in highly competitive markets, timing is key. Starting the process early provides time for scenario testing, ensures all options have been thoroughly explored, and provides a strong base for negotiations - avoiding rushed decisions that have the potential to compromise long-term outcomes.

To find out more about how our Occupier Strategy & Solutions team works with clients, get in touch.