office-space-nottingham

How Important are Office Spaces?

With today’s technology advances, the typical 9 to 5 work schedule is quickly becoming redundant. Yet, if you plan to grow your company, the importance of renting a well put office space cannot be overlooked.

It is impossible to overstate the significance of having not just an office, but a productive workplace for your company. Despite the fact that the concept of working remotely is progressively becoming the standard in the workplace today, companies still require a physical workspace.

Hence, here are a few reasons why we believe renting an office space is more important than ever for a company’s success:

Brand Image

Despite the fact that more businesses are moving to virtual workspaces, the average consumer still prefers to visit a real site. It gives clients a sense of security by making sure they have somewhere to go if they have an issue or want to meet in person. 

Given the importance of first impressions, you should think about how you portray your brand to your target audience. A physical workspace demonstrates your willingness to invest in your company’s overall quality and presentation.

Employee Wellness and Productivity

Working from home has its benefits, but it may often be lonely, coupled with the lack of the necessary tools to work with. While virtual meetups and chat rooms can provide some comfort, they are frequently impersonal. Some employees either lack access to a defined work area or technological resources.

With an onsite workspace, employees can collaborate and mingle more effectively, which will aid in the reduction of loneliness that increases morale and productivity. Consequently, it provides employees with a secure, healthy, and productive environment in which to do their tasks.

Data Security

When working with client data, it is critical to keep it secure, and when employees work remotely this is much more difficult to achieve. It generates many loopholes that could spell disaster for your company. You can lose control over where your data is stored and who has access to it.

If a computer, laptop, or tablet is lost or data is accessed by a third party, everyone is at risk. You have better security control over your digital devices when they are accessed and stored in the office. You can protect it from being lost, damaged, or accessed by unauthorised individuals.

Client Relations

Having satisfied clients is crucial to your company’s success. Your reputation and sales might be influenced by how your clients feel when doing business with you. Offering a safe and comfortable atmosphere for clients is an important part of providing a positive client experience. 

While it is simple to book conference calls or meet in a public location, these options can appear unpleasant, especially as you do not have total control over them. A poor internet connection, loud noises, or children running around in the background could all disrupt a virtual meeting. But all these can be well managed with a physical workspace.

Office Space to Rent Nottingham

If you are in need of office space to rent Nottingham, we at Oldknows Factory have amazing spaces for businesses and creatives alike. Do get in contact with us today!

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office space to rent nottingham

Office Amenities That Boost Productivity

Office amenities have significantly evolved in recent years. They’ve become more advanced, offering value, comfort and even entertainment to help employees relax from work. You may be familiar with Google’s unique office amenities as they’ve been the topic of discussion on various trusted websites like Forbes, Business Insider, and more. 

Today, many workers expect to have a more ideal office space filled with amenities that promote wellness, happiness and morale. Afterall, the average person spends approximately one-third of their life at work. That is why many organisations have been relocating and finding new contemporary office space to rent Nottingham. 

Some of the most common amenities include an open plan kitchen/coffee bar, game areas, beanbag stations, an on-site gym and more. Whilst these are valuable to employees in terms of unwinding, there are amenities that can boost productivity as well. 

It’s important to note that not every single cool or relaxing amenity is suitable for your business setting. When upgrading your current office or searching for a new office space to rent Nottingham, you will need to ask yourself what amenities you will need for you and your team to perform their best. 

Now, let’s take a look at some of the amenities you should consider adding to your office space to rent Nottingham in order to boost employee productivity. 

1. The Basics: the Internet of Things

The internet of things refers to the network of physical devices, electronics, software, and connectivity options within an office environment. 

Employees want access to reliable, high-speed internet that can be accessed throughout the entire office space/building. This allows for increased flexibility and employees being able to complete their work in a number of settings. Offering reliable internet access means providing more freedom and convenience. 

Streaming music and mobile connectivity to office tools are also crucial components to consider when increasing productivity in the workplace. Oldknows Factory offers free high-speed internet for all office space to rent Nottingham, making things much easier for tenants. 

2. Dedicated Spaces for Creativity and Brainstorming 

Many jobs can be intellectually taxing and require a great deal of concentration as well as creative energy. This has resulted in many organisations searching for creative office space to rent Nottingham, as the demand for creative spaces skyrocketed when Millenials began to enter the workforce. 

Organisations like Beats Electronics took brainstorming sessions to a whole new level by creating rooms with whiteboards for walls. Some organisations even add features like basketball hoops, darts or video game systems for when employees need a break or are struggling with creative block. 

There’s no set in stone way to execute the perfect brainstorming space. However, if you are searching for a new open plan office space to rent Nottingham, try to envision your preferred amenities throughout the space whilst also asking employees for their suggestions. 

3. Wellness Programs 

One of the most effective ways to retain and attract new employees is by having an on-site fitness centre and showers. Athletic Business found that fitness facilities in the workplace actually “increase productivity, improve employee morale, and decrease absenteeism”. 

Finding time to work out can be a struggle when working full-time, especially for those who commute. There simply is very little time in a day. Helping your employees reap the benefits of exercise will, in turn, make them happier, more productive workers.

If you’re a start-up or medium sized business and simply do not have space for an entire fitness centre, then maybe incorporating some treadmills or elliptical cross trainers near employees’ desks will be beneficial. You don’t need a great amount of space to add valuable amenities, you just need to use the space you have wisely.

Many employers include a ‘wellbeing zone’ where employees can carry out activities such as yoga, massages and stress management coaching. Oldknows Factory’s units include private toilets and showers, making this completely doable. 

Furthermore, there are some companies such as Google who focus more on recharging, with their famous addition of “nap pods”. You don’t have to include futuristic recliners, dedicating an area to relaxing or napping is still enough to invest in employees’ mental wellbeing.

4. Access to Food Options

Many employees’ main priority when deciding on a job is the location and whether there’s access to food options. Afterall, food is vital when it comes to productivity and overall energy. This need for convenient food options has led to organisations relocating. 

That’s why it’s important to consider what restaurants, cafes, corner shops and/or supermarkets your organisation will have access to when searching for an office space to rent Nottingham. The Oldknows Factory prides itself on its proximity to the city centre, with plenty of food options surrounding the building.

With the rise of multi-use developments that incorporate office spaces, it’s becoming easier for organisations to provide their employees with plenty of food options. For example, the Oldknows Factory’s offices include an entire kitchen and bar area, allowing employees to store and cook up their own lunch. 

5. Outdoor Areas

The physical environment of an office has a significant impact on employees. The Global Impact of Biophilic Design in the Workplace’s findings show that “employees who work in environments with natural elements report a 15 percent higher level of well-being, are 6 percent more productive, and 15 percent more creative overall.”

Elements like high levels of natural light, plants and fresh air all contribute to employee satisfaction and work ethic. That is why many workers and employers are seeking office spaces with an outdoor area where everyone can decompress and reconnect with nature. 

Oldknows Factory’s office space to rent Nottingham includes an impressive outdoor graffiti wall for everyone to admire and get their creative juices flowing as well as a garden with tables and seating. 

Office amenities continue to be valuable for employees, resulting in a boost in productivity and overall wellbeing. Additionally, it’s essential to be strategic when designing amenity spaces and take in numerous factors such as location, sound levels, etc. 

Office Space to Rent Nottingham

The Oldknows Factory is full of industrial charm and is a melting pot for businesses and creatives alike. Our office spaces boast a range of amenities to inspire your productivity. We offer office space to rent Nottingham for start-ups, medium businesses and enterprises as well as creative spaces for artists. 

Our units come complete with a bar/kitchen space, free high-speed Wi-Fi, an open plan office and more. Kit out your communal spaces with pool tables and air hockey or build out an alternative relaxing work space, the choice is yours! 

If you’re looking for a space with flexible leases, fantastic amenities and various transport links, check out our available office spaces or get in touch with us now and book a tour! 

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office space to rent nottingham

What Is Creative Office Space?

More and more businesses are starting to realise a creative office space is vital for employees. In fact, many current and prospective employees place a creative office space high on the priority list when it comes to workplace preference. 

Although creative office space to rent Nottingham are still extremely limited, there is an increase in numbers because of the advantages they pose. In order to achieve this modern-day setup, some may opt to convert their existing office, whilst others might realise they need to search for a new office space to rent Nottingham that lends itself to a more creative atmosphere. 

So, what exactly is a creative office space and what are some of the advantages it poses? Read on to find out more about this revolutionary trend.

The Evolution of Office Spaces 

A creative office space is any office that doesn’t fall under a traditional office layout. This means streamlined cubicles with executive offices around the perimeter. A creative office space is a thoughtfully designed space where creativity, flexibility, collaboration and comfort are meant to thrive. 

Whilst isolated offices once meant promotions and big titles, they’re now seen as rooms where executives are out of touch with employees. Nowadays, executives want their teams right alongside them for increased productivity. 

Unlike traditional offices with countless cubicle builds, private offices, and conference rooms constructed, creative office spaces can be built-out quickly with most features easily-movable. What once started as an option for easy office relocation and cost-efficiency is now trendy and ideal. 

Traditional corporate offices are now being widely seen as drab, uniform and lacking in inspiration and creative spirit, with many employees feeling like they are in a stagnant and mundane environment. Creative office spaces are the exact opposite as they’re vibrant spaces that are designed to inspire employees and feel free to openly express their innovative ideas and solutions. 

Characteristics of a Creative Office Design

These thoughtfully designed office spaces available to rent in Nottingham take a number of different things into consideration; with comfort, productivity, teamwork and creativity being at the forefront of layout and design choices. 

  • Open concept floor plan with fewer individual offices.
  • Flexible layouts, such as moveable walls, rooms that serve as team meeting areas or lounges, a reception area that serves as a bar area and other unique features.
  • Upgraded flooring, such as polished concrete or wide wood planks.
  • Exposed ceilings and accent or brick walls.
  • An open concept kitchen with modern appliances.
  • Modern lighting fixtures and a lack of harsh fluorescent lighting.
  • Features that promote wellness such as beanbags, bench style seating or standing desks, etc.
  • Plants around the office as they significantly increase levels of positivity and calmness.
  • Open space with an abundance of natural light. 
  • Game areas such as pingpong, foosball, minigolf, darts and treadmills or any other stress-reducing activities.  
  • Low carbon footprint. 

When a creative office space is designed and constructed effectively, employee wellness is increased. The idea is to create an environment where employees look forward to coming in everyday. It evokes a sense of pride in working for a forward-thinking company. 

Advantages of Finding a Creative Office Space to Rent Nottingham

The benefits that creative workplaces provide are many, ranging from an increase in employee wellbeing to reflecting the company’s work ethic.

An Increase in Employee Wellbeing and Retention

For the longest time, employees simply entered their traditional office, sat in their isolated cubicles and performed their tasks like robots. This mundane work life creates a sense of emptiness which in turn affects employees’ mental health. Now, with more companies choosing creative office space to rent Nottingham, employees feel genuinely cared for, with their wellbeing increasing substantially.

The addition of unique features throughout the workplace allows employees to destress and engage more. With some going as far as to say a creative office space gives off the same effect as a relaxing coffee shop where one can be productive. 

Additionally, allowing employees to decorate their own workstations with colour, plants, etc allows them to feel more empowered. Studies have shown that the more control an employee has of their individual workstation, the happier and more productive they are.

Relaxed policies, such as happy hour and bringing your pet to work can truly make employees feel more comfortable, pushing the idea that by finding a creative office space to rent Nottingham, people are able to live, work and play. 

All of this goes a long way to improve a workspace with employees’ wellbeing in mind as well as increasing employee retention rates. Employees feel like the organisation is doing their part in genuinely caring for employees, listening to their needs and rewarding their hard work. 

Recruitment of Top Talent

When employers opt for a creative office space to rent Nottingham, they have an advantage in terms of attracting top talent. The war for talent is fierce and the best want to work in creative spaces.

First impressions go a long way. Inviting a candidate into a creative office space for their interview will definitely grab their attention. Furthermore, including an office tour in the interview process whilst explaining the forward-thinking policies in action can heighten a prospective employee’s interest and lead to less negotiation on their part, as they’ve seen firsthand the daily benefits of working there. 

Creates Excitement 

A monotonous traditional office is one that feels repetitive and uninspiring, resulting in unhappy employees. It can be beneficial to add some vibrancy and colour to a workplace to bring some excitement into employees’ lives. 

Opting for a creative office space to rent Nottingham keeps things exciting for employees by adding fresh elements on a regular basis or simply having a plethora of modern, interactive features already. This could include games around the office, wall art, changing out the plants, and offering new snacks. 

Another option is to create breakout areas where employees can relax during their breaks such as a beanbag area, an open space kitchen where they can cook, an outdoor garden and team lounges. 

Reflection of the Company Work Ethic 

Choosing a creative office space to rent Nottingham actually reflects your team’s work ethic. A creative office space can be used to impress clients and business partners when they visit, as they can see how innovative and forward-thinking your company is.  

By transparently showing how flexible employees are in this relaxed work environment whilst producing incredible results, clients and business partners are able to see how beneficial a creative office space is. It also shows how dedicated and productive employees are to make the business a success as a result of this arrangement. 

Enhances Productivity and Imagination 

Creative spaces increase productivity and imagination. This is because employees feel motivated to work. Rather than being separated from each other, the open shared space between employees makes the mind feel freer to brainstorm and innovate. 

It also makes it easier for employees to work with one another, solve problems and boost each other’s morale. The airiness of the space as well as the natural lighting inspire the imagination. Furthermore, the freedom to move around and work in areas that are best for them actually increases their productivity. 

A beautiful, vibrant atmosphere can be inspiring, making employees more willing to get tasks done. Think of it this way, a dull environment with zero art, plants or even space is incredibly wearing on the imagination. 

Creative Office Space to Rent Nottingham 

If you’re a business owner and considering trading in the traditional office space, and instead opting for a creative office space to rent Nottingham, then look no further than Oldknows Factory. 

The Oldknows Factory is full of industrial charm and is a melting pot for businesses and creatives alike. Our creative office spaces boast a range of amenities to inspire your productivity. We offer office space to rent Nottingham for start-ups, medium sized businesses and enterprises as well as creative spaces for artists. 

Our units come complete with a bar/kitchen space, free high-speed Wi-Fi, an open plan office and more. Kit out your communal spaces with pool tables and air hockey or build out an alternative relaxing work space, the choice is yours! 

If you’re looking for a space with flexible leases, fantastic amenities and various transport links, check out our available office spaces or get in touch with us now and book a tour! 

If you’ve recently opted for a creative office space to rent Nottingham and have no clue where to start in terms of designing the space with features that are going to energise your employees, read our blog article on ‘How to Make Your Office Space Feel More Creative’. 

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How-Office-Space-Demand-Has-Changed

How Office Space Demand Has Changed

The pandemic has permanently altered how we think about offices – as companies reassess their real estate needs, it is bound to have a lasting change in the modern organisation.

For further information on our office space for rent in Nottingham, contact Oldknows Factory today. Our team will be happy to assist you, offering a service based on your requirements, such as team size, daily functionality and more. Join our creative and innovative community, boost morale throughout your workplace and take advantage of the unique structure and style.

Office Space After The Pandemic

COVID-19 has fundamentally challenged and changed the way we, as a global workforce, interact, socialize, and collaborate. Flexible working practices, including working from home, have been readily adopted as the coronavirus pandemic has forced a trial run of remote working for industries, businesses, and individuals across the world. As a result, sentiments towards office space, its value, role, and contribution to the operation of daily work tasks are now being re-evaluated by employees and employers. 

While the pandemic has accelerated the shift towards integrating flexible workspaces into corporate real estate portfolios, the fear that the office will lose its relevance is not realistic; rather than becoming obsolete, it will become an increasingly valuable asset in facilitating collaboration and driving business growth. 

Flexible Working

Many tasks can be accomplished remotely without a significant drop in productivity or quality. While virtual conferencing and teleconferences can provide an intermediate solution to in-person interactions and meetings, over time, face-to-face interaction is required to facilitate collaboration, build relationships, solve complex challenges, and generate ideas. 

Most employees, especially those with long commute times, or those that intrinsically travel a lot for their field of work, appreciate having the flexibility and autonomy of having the choice of where and when to work.

Companies Reassessing Their Office Needs

While many companies still want the collaborative atmosphere that the physical office provides, they also desire the advantages that flexible practices offer to support remote working for their employees and clients. That being said, the purpose of an office as a space where people can meet, collaborate, share ideas, and nurture innovation is still vital for many businesses. As companies reassess their real estate needs, the function and role of office space is changing; shifting away from a productivity-based model, the office role is evolving to focus on the people – its values comes as a hub to facilitate meetings and gatherings. And this shift isn’t industry-specific. 

From ‘traditional industries’ such as finance or law, to more creative industries like art & design, communications, advertising, or media, all are rethinking how the office can positively impact their business. With this changing function of the office space, traditional leases with long rental periods are coming into question, and companies are turning to lease agreements that provide more flexibility as a solution to supplement their traditional real estate portfolios.

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rent office space nottingham

Rent Office Space In Nottingham

Renting office space in Nottingham offers a wide range of benefits for your business and working environment. Oldknows Factory offers a community of like-minded and creative individuals, conjoined by their passion for a variety of subjects.

The Oldknows Factory oozes uniqueness and industrial chic. Whether you’re a young professional, an entrepreneur or an established business looking for the opportunity to expand, then you should definitely be considering one of Nottingham’s inspiring landmarks. The old lace factory boasts a range of facilities and amenities to inspire your productivity. With a variety of open communal areas, there is ample opportunity to build your office culture and establish a relaxed modern vibe, shared by all our tenants.

Benefits Of Renting With Oldknows For Your Office Space In Nottingham

Flexible Leases/Contracts

Start-up businesses and established enterprises are treated equally, with offered opportunities for flexible contacts for each of our clients. Through thorough and ongoing conversations and building a mutual understanding, we can establish time brackets to suit your needs.

Central Location

Utilising Oldknows Factory as your working environment gives endless benefits to employees in the form of shopping centres, transport and food courts. With each of these outstanding factors being within minutes of our chic offices, you can truly benefit from Nottingham’s outstanding staples.

Talented Neighbours

By renting with Oldknows, your office space in Nottingham is not only a state of the art space with endless potential, but we are also sure that you’ll be highly impressed by your neighbours. Specialising in a wide range of niches, you may find collaborative opportunities, benefiting both parties in workload or events.

Transport Links

With bus, tram and train stations being within a few minutes walking distance, your business may benefit from Nottingham’s transport links. With simple travelling connections, recruiting opportunities become more apparent and ease access for existing employees, increasing morale throughout the workplace.

Meeting Spaces

Though our office spaces for rent in Nottingham are spacious and able to accommodate many forms of functionalities, we also offer additional meeting spaces. Regardless of the reasoning behind the meeting, whether it may be an interview or a work briefing, we have the meeting space to suit your needs.

For further information on our office space for rent in Nottingham, contact Oldknows Factory today. Our team will be happy to assist you, offering a service based on your requirements, such as team size, daily functionality and more. Join our creative and innovative community, boost morale throughout your workplace and take advantage of the chic industrial aesthetic.

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OFFICE VS WORKING FROM HOME

Office vs Working From Home

As we all know, working from home has been a must over the last few months to minimise the spread of COVID-19. This has bought up a very interesting debate: ‘Working in the Office Vs Working at Home’. We at The Oldknows Factory have put together this article to deep dive into the facts and figures on both sides of the argument. Many companies have shifted their tools and systems for remote teams for the first time due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For employees and employers, this is a major adjustment. Working from home can seem to have many advantages at first glances but being able to roll out of bed and onto your PC is not the full story.

Commuting

The dreaded commute to the office; it may take some of us 5 minutes to walk in, or a two hour drive for others. Did you know that with an average journey time of 65 minutes each day, commuters spend around 70 weeks’ worth of time (492 days) travelling for their job during their working life? This will result in a total cost of £37,399!

However, there are some advantages to going into the office – the main one being the separation between work and home (Plus nothing beats grabbing that morning coffee on your commute into the office). It’s very important for your mental health to have separation between your work and home life. It has also been found that those working from home can find it difficult to switch off. What happens if you get a work email at 7pm from a client? Would you answer it if you were at your PC working from home? When you leave an office at 5 pm on the dot it’s easy to declare work over for the day, but when you work from home those boundaries can get blurred. Work-life balance continues to surge on the importance meter for modern-day employees.

Communication

Communication is extremely important within the workplace. If communication breaks down, clients can be lost and relationships within the workplace can suffer. Working from home can be more restrictive if you work with clients and employees. Coming across as professional can be important for securing business, which for some types of work could well rule out meeting at your house. Having an office space solves that problem. If you prefer to work from home, there’s always the option to meet clients in nice cafés or, in the case of particularly important meetings, you could rent office space for the day.

There’s something about relationship-building that happens when you sit next to someone or bump into each other when you go and make a coffee. Communication still happens when you’re working remotely, but it’s not quite the same. Face-to-face communication turns into video calls. Short conversations turn into Skype messages.

Flexibility

Flexibility options are subject to the company that you work for. Working from home may offer the opportunity to work when you feel most productive, as long as you work the allotted hours and complete what’s needed to be done. Working in an office may keep you working set hours, but it has been proven that productivity, especially in creative industries, can be boosted when being in an office surrounded by like-minded individuals.

OFFICE VS WORKING FROM HOME

Productivity

A recent survey concluded that 47% of employees said they strongly agree that flexible work arrangements “would or do allow me to be more productive” and 31% said they somewhat agree. This can be down to a number of factors and also depending on where the company is based. Consistent research has also shown that remote workers usually log longer hours than their office-bound counterparts.

Let’s not forget that the major advantages of working in an office environment is your coworkers. They keep you motivated, productive and educated about the business. As part of a team, you celebrate the wins and plan together on how to be better employees. Also if an employee is known to procrastinate, then they are likely to have more opportunities to do so at home than at the office.

Management

Employees may enjoy certain aspects about working from home but working from home could cause issues for management. When working from an office, managers have a clear view of what the team members are working on. They can easily go up to an employee and ask questions or hold short discussions or give a small pep talk if they find someone is struggling with an assignment. Not only this. but usually, within an office environment, it is easy to go around the different departments to make sure you can see that everyone is in sync with one another. This may be more difficult to achieve when working from home, although most businesses should have access to technologies to assist with this.

Working in the office is a great way to ensure that deadlines are met and productivity is being managed. It’s great to know what is going on within your team to ensure that your clients will be happy with your work. Working in management from home is possible, but nothing will beat the hands on experience with your team like working in an office.

Office Environment vs. Home Environment

There will always be pros and cons of working remotely and working from home. At the Oldknows Factory, we understand the importance of a good balance, we ensure that through the community that we have built here. We have plenty of happy businesses operating within The Oldknows Factory and we have plenty of room for more businesses to find a new home here. If you would like to learn more about the available options, please get in touch with our team today.

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