The Search Office Space Blog | Searchofficespace

The long-awaited theme to the opening ceremony of the London Olympic Games 2012 has finally been announced as ‘the Isles of Wonder’, incorporating the story of a land which recovers from being poisoned by industrial legacy.

The theme was announced by the artistic director of the ceremony, Danny Boyle, who says, “we’ll be celebrating the whole of the country… there are so many ‘Isles of Wonder”.

Furthermore, they have commissioned the largest bell in Europe to hang at one end of the stadium to signify the opening of the Games. Upon it will be inscribed a quote from Shakespeare’s ‘The Tempest’, “Be not afeard, the isle is full of noises”.

Boyle said he wants people to hear the bell ring ‘”for hundreds of years” and Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt justifies the overall £81m ceremony expenditure as “an extraordinary business opportunity”.

In addition to having advanced considerably from previous Olympic Games in London in 1908 and 1948, less money has been spent on this year’s ceremonies than on previous ceremonies organised by other countries who have hosted the Games.

Boyle, however, evidently still feels the pressure to create a spectacular show as he says, “You stand on the shoulders of giants which are your predecessors. Not just Beijing, which was extraordinarily eye-wateringly spectacular… but you’ve also got Athens, which was incredibly beautiful, so beautiful. And also Sydney before that which was a wonderful people’s Games. So you. hope to inherit some of their best features, but also to put together their own unique spin on it."

The show is due to kick off at 12 minutes past 8 BST on the 27th July and will last for 50 minutes, displaying performances from around 20, 000 performers including 900 young people from the 6 Olympic host boroughs. One billion television viewers are expected to watch the spectacle.

As well as approximately 1,650 children from 18 primary schools, Boyle has stated that nurses will also feature in the ceremony due to the fact that the NHS is "unique about us… along with our sense of humour".

For information on how your business can find office space during the London 2012 Olympic Games, talk to Search Office Space now on 0800 740 8080 or visit www.searchofficespace.com

If you are looking for fantastic office space to rent on L Street, Washington DC, Search Office Space has the perfect solution for you in the form of a totally renovated building with great views and an array of fantastic facilities.

Opening on the 1st April 2012, this building has a beautiful lobby and provides spacious offices as well as four conference and meeting rooms. There is a co-working area complete with a business lounge, day offices and a bar, with their own separate entrance and 24/7 access.

The 25,000 square-foot center is a corner building which boasts great views of 21st and L Streets as well as floor-to-ceiling windows, allowing sunlight to stream in. It is a high-end law firm build out with a rooftop terrace and plenty of eating places within the building such as Lite Stars (healthy eating), Bourbon Coffee and Bruegger’s.

A large, state-of-the-art fitness center is also available with 24/7 access for tenants, as well as a day-care option. Pre-opening rates for this fantastic building are now available.

To find out more information about executive suites for rent in Washington DC, talk to Search Office Space now on 0800 740 80 80 to discuss your requirements.

Recent research has shown that many SME’s who wish to rent serviced office space in the City of London may soon be sorely disappointed. 2012 has so far revealed a lack of commercial property within London, demonstrating that the demand for office space far outweighs the actual availability.

The research, conducted by Jones Lang LaSalle, predicts that in a little as eight months’ time, the West End could see a significant lack of office space for rent. This is caused by an unforeseen demand for space as well as a fear of property development which stems as a result of the current economic climate.

Jones Lang LaSalle is of the opinion that property rents will have a national increase of 1.7% in 2012, except for those places where availability is now scarce; the City of London will increase by 3% and the West End by 3.5%.

Moreover, further research has discovered that grade C rated office space is far more present throughout the UK than grades A and B. Approximately 70% of UK office space is grade C while the remaining 30% comprises grades A and B.

Head of UK research at DTZ, Martin Davis, says, “contrary to our expectations grade C has a lower availability rate than grade A and B stock. Nevertheless, we expect this position to deteriorate in the face of continued low economic growth and competition for occupiers from better quality space.”

For information about how you can rent serviced office space in London, visit us at Search Office Space or call us now on 0800 740 8080.

Despite regulations which state that the Olympic logo must not be used by any companies without a license to do so, toy manufacturers have seized the opportunity to increase sales and maximise revenue from the Games.

Many companies have forked out a considerable amount of money in order to purchase an official London 2012 license to enable them to utilise the logo on their products. Director General of the British Toy and Hobby Association, Roland Earl, says that there is much “excitement and buzz” from toy manufacturers with regards to the Olympics and the public can expect to see various window displays with an Olympic theme.

Toy manufacturers will be capitalising on the Olympics from approximately July 2012 through to Christmas, and UK director of toy industry analysts NPD, Jez Fraser-Hook, says, “There will be an after-effect that you do not get with football. The Olympians will be heroes for some time.”

It seems the Olympics are not the only event to boost the toy industry – a chess set which features the Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh and the turrets of Windsor Castle is also on sale as a direct result of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee this June.

Model railways manufacturer, Hornby, have created such items as the Scalextric Velodrome for £69.99 which allows two players to race Team GB cyclists round the track. They will also produce collectable sports figurines and London keyrings, as they "fully expect visitors to want to go away with souvenirs", says Marketing Director Nathaniel Southworth.

These items, as well as an Olympic edition of the traditional Monopoly game whereby players attempt to build an Olympic stadium rather than collect hotels, are all licensed and therefore able to bear the London 2012 logo. Other companies are also creating toys to reflect the Games but without official branding.

Designs of many outdoor sports toys incorporate the Union Jack to signify the Olympics and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. A 12% increase in sales of this type of toy 2011 is a positive indication that the presence of the Olympics has encouraged young people to exercise.

To find out about office space options during the London 2012 Olympic Games, talk to Search Office Space now on 0800 740 8080 or visit www.searchofficespace.com

Searching for office space in the City of London can be a daunting task. The UK’s capital city is jam-packed with office solutions and fantastic opportunities for any company looking to rent space. Businesses are surrounded by a hive of activity in one of the most vibrant and exhilarating cities in the world. However, the tricky thing is knowing where to start and the right things to look for.

Search Office Space has been providing office space solutions for over nineteen years and we rather think we’ve mastered the art of matching the tenant with the perfect office space. Our long term experience in the industry means that clients who come to us will receive personal and professional advice, as well as the latest deals and offers available.

Our status as the first ever serviced office broker in the UK puts us in an ideal position to help anyone looking to rent office space in London as we have successfully built up a number of good relations with business centre operators. We are notified immediately of the most flexible leases and contracts to suit all office requirements and act quickly in securing the best office space within this fast-paced city.

Finding the ideal office space in the City of London can be a stressful and time-consuming process for prospective tenants who would undoubtedly rather focus that time and effort on their own business. The consultants at Search Office Space are now experts at sourcing the perfect office space in the City of London, and are able to take care of the small print to make it as smooth as possible for the tenant.

We have an array of fantastic opportunities to rent office space in the City of London, so call us now on 0800 740 8080 or visit us at www.searchofficespace.com and let us do the hard work for you.

The Government has just launched a major new scheme entitled ‘Business in You’ in an attempt to inspire people to grow and develop their own business with help and resources from the government.

Empty and under-used Government office space will be made available to small businesses who have a hard task in finding suitable yet affordable premises, as there are currently more than three hundred buildings in the central government estate with available space. Much of this will be offered to small businesses at a reasonable cost, and this space will be supervised by third sector organisations.

This comes as part of its overall efficiency programme which has led to savings of £100 million by exiting leases and properties to save money, initially for one year and involving flexible arrangements to make use of their assets.

The Government has also provided an array of information in order to offer assistance and support for small firms, as well as seeking out larger companies who would consider  offering support in the form of free opportunities such as workshops, webinars and video tutorials on an array of topics, as well as the possibility of consultancy sessions.

The campaign has so far been met with success, with many companies including StartUp Britain, the Confederation of British Industry, the Federation of Small Businesses and the major banks all on board to help.

Large-scale publicity has been created for this campaign, with radio adverts, posters and national and trade press all exhibiting the different stories and successes of small business owners from varying backgrounds. These inspirational stories will be available on a web portal which will collaborate the resources available for small businesses in order to aid their progression.

A new topic relating to start-ups will be chosen each month for the campaign to focus on which is designed to illustrate all available Government support as well as to educate small businesses and start-ups on how to develop their business.

Prime Minister David Cameron has stated, “Small businesses and entrepreneurs are the lifeblood of the British economy and I am determined that we, working with the private sector, do everything we can to help them to start up and to grow in 2012. I want to encourage people to go for it and make this the year of enterprise – whether that is fulfilling their dream of starting a new business or taking the leap to grow their business, to employ more staff, or to start exporting.”

For information on office space in London or any other location, please contact Search Office Space on 0800 740 8080 or visit us now at www.searchofficespace.com

Much outrage has been caused since Westminster Council announced their plans to charge for Sunday and evening parking in order to “increase the turnover of cars parking in the area and make it easier for those driving in to the heart of London to find a parking space”. Petitions were formed as a result of these plans, and many people feared the lack of parking would have a negative impact on business leading to a possible loss of jobs for those renting office space in London.

However, last week came the announcement that Westminster were to abandon all plans due to prolonged protests – an announcement which has been met with both relief and controversy from the public at large.

The proposed plans caused many people to express the inconvenience they would be caused, some even going so far as to threaten that they would have to look for alternative City of London office space if the restrictions came into play. Despite the relief that these people feel, there also comes with it a certain amount of frustration that Westminster Council has spent approximately £1m on the preparation before abandoning the project altogether.

Westminster Council has disputed allegations from Westminster Labour that £1m was spent on a combination of legal fees, consultants, the salaries of those working on the project and the cost of public consultations. Signs for the new proposals were also produced at a cost of several hundred thousand pounds.

So while many London office workers and residents are pleased that the changes will no longer be implicated, the question has been raised as to why it has taken so long for Westminster Council to take notice of the protests. There is undoubtedly a general feeling of relief but people are also left wondering why Westminster Council have suddenly decided to act now, having ignored all previous objections.

With the economic climate as it is, a cost of £1m to UK taxpayers towards an abandoned project is not an ideal solution. Perhaps Westminster Council has learnt its lesson, having recently outlined its new intentions to ‘consider the most effective way that the council can support business, lessen congestion and improve the quality of life of residents living in the West End’.

For information on office space in the City of London, call Search Office Space now on 0800 740 80 80 or visit our website at www.searchofficespace.com.

If your business requires self contained office suits in Wakefield, Search Office Space has a new centre for your consideration.

Located at the gateway to Silkwood Business Park, this 102 acre mixed-use development site is an ideal office space solution for companies from a range of sectors.

There are four offices available for rent which have been arranged over two stories. Each suite provides 1,500sqft on
a floor by floor basis, the minimum office space allowance is 223sqft and the maximum, 897sqft. There is currently 100% availability, which is ideal for large companies.

Facilities of these flexible office suites include central heating, office furniture and carpets throughout, suspended ceilings with CAT 2 lighting and free on-site car parking. The business centre is also conveniently located, with easy access to the M1.

Those who rent office space at this location will benefit from the centres already renowned reputation, which will help build a successful corporate image.

To find out more about office space in Wakefield, talk to Search Office Space now on 0800 740 80 80 to discuss your requirements.

If your company is looking for a business centre in Oxford – look no further! From February 2012, you can rent premium, flexible, office space in this fully refurbished and modern business centre.

There is currently 6,800sqft of office space available, with suites ranging from 101sqft to 529sqft, and prices starting from as little at £337!

Those who rent office space at this location are sure to be impressed with the beautiful courtyard setting and views overlooking the picturesque pond and waterfall.

The centre is situated on the A4142 Oxford Ring Road which provides convenient access to the A34 and A40. Another added bonus is the on-site car park with additional bike racks; ideal for those who commute to work by car or bicycle.

All of the refurbished office suites include 24 hour access and security, air conditioning, VoIP technology and high speed internet access. There are also on-site meeting rooms and shared kitchen facilities.

The building is unbranded, which means tenants can personalise their office space to help build their brand awareness and reputation. The team of on-site management and staff also provide IT support and administrative services for all.

Because this centre is brand new to the Search Office Space database, it’s sure to be a popular choice, so make sure you contact us today to arrange a viewing – and you can move into your new office space in less than 2 weeks!

To find out more about office space in Oxford, talk to Search Office Space now on 0800 740 80 80 to discuss your requirements.

If you’re looking for office space to rent in Paris, Search Office Space recommends our new business centre, situated on Avenue Des Champs Elysees. This prestigious business centre offers fully equipped, premium office suites for rent in France’s capital city.

The centre provides 1,000sqm of fully furnished office space. Suite sizes range form 13sqm to 35sqm with prices ranging from €2,000 to €5,000.

Those who rent office space at the Champs Elysees Centre will benefit from an on-site team of support staff who offer personalised bilingual call answering and administrative services. There is also an on-site meeting rooms which accommodates up to 18 delegates.

The business centres prime location means local amenities and tourist attractions are a short walk away, including the Palais de la Decouverte and the Elysees Palace.

Commuting to and from the office is easy, as there is convenient access to the Franklin D. Roosevelt Metro Station, located only 2 minutes walk from the business centre.

To find out more about office space in Paris, talk to Search Office Space now on 0800 740 80 80 to discuss your requirements.