The launch and re-brand of MWB Business Exchange comes hand in hand with a new slogan and proposition: “We’re Not No.1, You Are!” which is based around the excellent services, choice and flexibility offered by the office space providers. The proposition also includes:

• A new company identity and website
• New ‘Signature Offices’ whereby clients can design their own bespoke offices
• Unbranded Business Centres to ensure companies can create their own identity
• The highest staff to clients’ ratio of any UK serviced office provider

This new package and proposition highlights the fact that MWB Business Exchange is dedicated to serving their clients at the highest possible level. The 2012 plan also provides greater flexibility to clients of all sectors and sizes, from innovative SMEs to technology start-ups.

This new approach was developed after MWB Business Exchange commissioned a survey of more than 500 small businesses and corporates which revealed the following statistics:

• 72% want serviced offices which are flexible and can grow and adapt with the clients business.
• The most important factors to consider when choosing a new office space are location (30%), price (25%) and service (14%).
• 64% of business want to ‘WOW’ their clients with their office space.
• 43% of business believe serviced offices are more about the suppliers brand, rather than the clients own company identity.

After taking these statistics into consideration, MWB Business Exchange opted to pioneer the unbranded business centre approach, by removing it’s own branding from its 60 centres across the UK, in the aim to support and nurture it’s clients identities.

The un-branding goes hand in hand with the 12 ‘Signature Office’ designs, which allow clients to mix and match bespoke fit-outs in order to suit their specific requirements and promote their personal brand identities. Furthermore, this bespoke office model is the first of its kind in the UK and is now available in all 60 MWB Business Exchange Centres.

In terms of the staff to client ratio, companies can expect an average of seven staff members in each business centre. This will help boost customer service and help support the company with factors associated with the day to day running of the business.

Chief Executive of MWB Business Exchange, John Spencer, spoke highly of the new propositions, stating that, “This is a brand new beginning for MWB Business Exchange. From helping to grow companies like Facebook, and Google, we know businesses want to feel that serviced offices are their space, not ours. That’s why un-branding our offices, making them more bespoke and offering more flexible terms will give companies the competitive edge they need to prosper in 2012. Combined with unrivalled service and great locations, we think we have an unbeatable proposition to tell businesses: We’re not number one, you are.”

To find out more about Flexible Office Space talk to Search Office Space now on 0800 740 80 80 to discuss your requirements.

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

This contemporary executive suite on Park Avenue South is situated just off Madison Square Park, between 26th and 27th Streets in the Flatiron District of NYC; an ideal location for commercial businesses.

The Special Offer now available at this center includes one month free on a six month contract for contracts signed for a start period by the 31^st January. In addition to this, the center provides a range of Virtual Office and Co-working packages for clients who do not require full time space.

This January 2012 saving is a great solution for any start-up business or established companies looking for a good deal to start the New Year.

The current office space availability and prices (inclusive of the January special offer*) for this center are as follows:

• ‘LedianPod’ office suite, suitable for 1 to 2 desks, $665 per month.
• Office suite 615, private windowed office, suitable for 1 to 2 desks, $750 per month.
• Office suite 624, private windowed office overlooking Park Avenue, suitable for 2 to 4 desks, $1,665 per month (available from January 15th).
• Office suite 617, private internal office, suitable fro 5 to 8 desks, $2,750 per month.
• Office suite 607, private windowed office, suitable for 5 to 8 desks, $3,250 per month (available from February 1st).

*Terms and conditions apply.

To find out more about this executive center, or additional office space in the Flatiron District, talk to Search Office Space now on 887 208 2911 to discuss your requirements.

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The new office space is housed within the MetLife Building on Park Avenue, which is situated directly above Grand Central Station – a highly sought after location.

This brand new, Class A office space comprises of private office suites for one person,  with rates starting from $2000 per month.

Those who rent office space in this 58-story executive center benefit from it’s outstanding views across Park Avenue and Lower Manhattan. Its highly convenient location is ideal for clients who commute to work by Metro, as there is direct access to Grand Central Station.

Situated between East 43rd and East 45th Streets in Midtown Manhattan, this office space location provides clients with local amenities including 70 speciality retail stores and world famous restaurants such as Michael Jordan’s Steak House and the Oyster Bar Restaurant – ideal for lunch time breaks or informal business meetings.

Carr Workspaces pride themselves on their “unparalleled dedication to accommodating the business needs of the client, by offering a full range of cost effective support services and customized resources, designed to free up valuable time”, leaving tenants reassured that they are in good hands.

To find out more about office space in New York City, talk to Search Office Space now on 877 208 2911 to discuss your requirements.

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The tablet is due to be released within the next 6 months and hopes to rival Apple’s iPad in a way that the Nexus smartphone range has been creeping up on the iPhone. Mr Schmidt stated that the Nexus Tablet would be the “highest quality” product on the market.

Google first got involved with the product development of tablets earlier this year with the Motorola Xoom. However, sales were disappointing due to the scale of competition from Apple.

Mr Schmidt hopes that 2012 will be the year of the Nexus range, which boasts new versions of Android technology and state of the art hardware. The most recent Nexus device is the Galaxy Nexus smartphone, manufactured by Samsung.

However, competition between Apple and Android  is set to be “brutal” as the legacy left by Steve Job’s is a daunting task to equal.

Whatever the outcome, it will be interesting see what features and platforms the Google Nexus Tablet will possess.

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Congratulations to Reflex Solutions Business Centre, at 20 Bedford Square, London, WC1B 3HH, which has been crowned as November’s winner of the coveted award scheme that showcases the exceptional levels of quality and service provided by specific centres and operators.

      Justin Wigodsky, Reflex Sales Director – Accepting the Business Centre Excellence Award

Reflex have been providers of flexible, short term, managed office space since 1999, and have sixteen business centres in total, all of which are set within unbranded properties in prime, central London locations.

20 Bedford Square was nominated by two of the Search Office Space sales consultants, Lee Meranda and Sheena Patel who both remarked on the number of successful deals, and the high level of customer service provided by Reflex Solutions Sales Director, Justin Wigodsky.

I caught up with Justin for a quick chat and a tour around the impressive business centre. From the offset, it’s easy to see why this office space solution is so highly regarded, as the beautiful, Grade I listed Georgian property is set in one of the best central London locations, just off Tottenham Court Road, and overlooking the tranquil Bedford Square Gardens.

This business centre is a new property to be added to the Reflex Solutions portfolio, and has only been available for a few weeks; however, the occupancy rate is already at 85% – a very impressive figure for such a new centre. Reflex has an overall occupancy rate of 93% across their sixteen locations, which has helped to build their reputation and inspire confidence in all clients who use their services time and time again.

                                                       20 Bedford Square, Front Door Entrance

Justin Wigodsky has been working as Sales Director for Reflex for over four years, and is responsible for all sixteen business centres; so who better to accept the Business Centre Excellence Award?! When asked what winning the award meant to him, Justin told me that it was “A great achievement to be recognised by one of the leading operators for the serviced office industry, especially as 20 Bedford Square is a new location.”

Those who rent office space at this centrally located business centre will benefit from air-conditioning throughout the building, and a private courtyard attached to the ground floor office suite. 20 Bedford Square also presents tenants with a transparent pricing system, which includes phone calls and line rental in the monthly fee. All office suites also incorporate high ceilings, which results in lots of natural light and great views of the surrounding Gardens.

                                           Ground Floor Office Suite and Private Courtyard

Justin also commented that “The bright and airy office suites benefit from period features such as fireplaces and chandeliers, which add to the homely environment. Managed office space at this centre comes fully furnished, or unfurnished, depending on the client’s specific requirements, so it really is a worthwhile consideration for companies needing a flexible office space solution.”

Top Floor Office Suites

                                            Bright and Airy Office Space with Period Features

Existing tenants include those within the creative and recruitment sectors, as the area of nearby Soho is so well suited to these industries, making it an ideal place to rent office space for SME and start-up companies within similar sectors.

When asked what the future has in store for 20 Bedford Square, Justin replied “We hope to generate new leads and reach 100% occupancy, which looks like it’s on the cards, as this location is so highly sought-after. There are also plans to open up a new business centre nearby as the success of Bedford Square has been so well received. If existing clients need to expand, Reflex can also accommodate them within this centre.”

Once again, Search Office Space would like to congratulate Reflex Solutions at 20 Bedford Square on their high levels of customer service, hard work and dedication which keeps clients happy and secure in their office space environments.

     
            Office Space with Floor to Ceiling Windows and Views over Bedford Square Garden

More information about office space at 20 Bedford Square and business centres in the WC1 area is available on the Search Office Space Website.

Previous winners of the business centre excellence award for September and October 2011 are also available on the Search Office Space Blog. Keep a look out for the December nominations which are soon to be revealed!

To find out more about office space near Tottenham Court Road, talk to Search Office Space today on 0800 740 80 80 to discuss your requirements.

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If you are looking for office space to rent in London, take a look at this definitive guide which gives the average rental price for some of the Capital’s top locations:

Search Office Space and Find A London Office have also launched a new Q&A section, which provides expert knowledge on the serviced office industry. If you have a question, get in touch today and one of our experts will get back to you.

To find out more about office space in Central London, talk to Search Office Space now on 0800740 80 80 to discuss your requirements.

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18% of all commercial business centres in the UK face closure as a new government initiative is set to hit in April 2018. The protocol is to ban the leasing of energy-inefficient properties across the capital if they do not comply with sufficient Energy Performance Certificates (EPC).

Worrying statistics reveal that there is only 2.5% of surplus power available in London at any given time. In fact, Central London’s power network is so stretched that future redevelopment schemes may be cancelled, and the Capital’s lights could go out completely within the decade.   

Even developments that have an BREEAM rating of ‘excellent’, or a EPC Class A rating may not be as ‘green’ as property owners first thought. It all depends on the occupiers and tenants, especially those within shared offices and the technology sectors, who consume large amounts of energy and power every day.

Property owners may be forced to spend hundreds of millions of pounds on ‘green’ refurbishments across 600,000 business centres across the UK. 681,000 privately rented residential homes are also falling short of EPC standards which should be between A and E on the scale. This means commercial and private properties that have an F or G rating will be outlawed.

Power demand has been steadily growing by 80% every 5-7 years, and in some areas including the Docklands, this statistic is even higher, at 90%. The area of London that consumes the most power, however, is the City of London, which is predicted to be 300Mw per square kilometre by 2015.

Singular buildings, including the new ‘Cheesegrater’ skyscraper in the Square Mile demands 15Mw annually, which is enough to supply 15,000 homes.

Even more alarmingly, 30% of UK power stations are set to close by 2020. At the same time, the power forecast is set to drop by 19% in 2016, with demand increasing by 15% – meaning there is a 4% demand and supply imbalance. This is where the £200billion is needed to support the infrastructure and cope with the new demand.

In 2010, energy rates saw an increase in 19.9% which was certainly felt by most of property owners in the UK. Now, with the future looking even more bleak, these rates are set to rise even higher, meaning some tenants simply wont be able to afford office space in the capital. Many operators are already relocating from the UK in search of more eco-friendly space and cheaper energy costs.

However, there is some light at the end of the tunnel. Ofgem are putting together a proposal to be outlined in 2012. The notion is to split business tariffs from consumer tariffs, which will prevent residents forking out rates to cover power hungry buildings such as the ‘Cheesegrater’ and ‘The Shard’.

Furthermore, David Goatman, head of sustainability at Knight Frank said the crisis is “on the horizon, but far enough away to do something about it. I can see people trying to sell a large number of properties before 2018 at a discount”.

It’s hoped that government will take heed of this new research and invest the full amount to help save London’s lights from going out. There is time, but is there enough in the budget?

To find out more about office space in the City of London, talk to Search Office Space now on 0800740 80 80 to discuss your requirements.

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The first business centre for your consideration is ideally located on Galiana Street, Coral Gables-Miracle Mile, Miami’s most prominent business junction.

By renting serviced office space at this location, companies will benefit from a world-class business address and prestigious reputation. Tenants also have the added benefit of major discounts on hotels and resorts across the country, just by being associated with this business centre.

Facilities of this fully furnished office space include on-site meeting and conference rooms with audio visual presentation equipment, high speed internet, and state of the art security.

The second Downtown business centre provides quality serviced office space on Brickell Avenue, in the heart of Miami’s financial district.

Fully furnished office space is available for rent on the
11th floor of this high rise business centre, which provides spectacular views of Biscayne Bay and the Port of Miami. The surrounding area provides tenants with an eclectic mix of high-end fashion stores, luxury hotels, and fine-dining restaurants.

Facilities include CAT 5 and 6 cabling, DDI, ISP, ISDN, voicemail, personalised telephone answering by
secretarial and administrative staff, along with on-site car park and CCTV security.

The final executive suite that Search Office Space recommends provides Class A office space on South Biscayne Boulevard. This business centre provides immediate access to the Bayside Marketplace shopping complex and the adjoining Hotel Inter-Continental Miami.

Ideally situated with convenient access to Interstates 95 and 395, this business centre is a worthwhile consideration for your office space solution. Amenities include an on-site gym with shower facilities, fully equipped meeting and conference rooms, broadband internet, air conditioning and catering service.

To find out more about office space in Downtown Miami, talk to Search Office Space now on 0800740 80 80 to discuss your requirements.

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Our first executive suite for your consideration is situated in Tallahassee, Florida’s capital city. This area is ideal for businesses in the educational, research and development sectors. Tallahassee is known for its prominent educational institutes, agriculture, trade, scientific research, and legal firms, making it a diverse area for business.

This Class A Business Centre in Downtown Tallahassee, is located on South Monroe Street. The surrounding area is bursting with shopping facilities, restaurants, bars, hotels and local tourist attractions.

Those who rent office space at this unbranded business centre will benefit from a special offer of 4 months free rent, when leasing the space on a 12 month term. Facilities include 24 hour access and security, break-out areas, bureau services, digital telephone systems, high speed internet, DDI, and office furniture.

The next location is within Florida’s second largest city, Jacksonville. Those who rent serviced office space at Prudential Drive, South Bank, Jacksonville benefit from a prominent and prestigious business address, along with magnificent views across St John’s River.

Fully furnished and fully equipped office space is located
on the 12th floor of the business centre, however, tenants have full access to the on-site business lounge,
conference rooms, gym, tanning salon and cyber cafe. Facilities also include state of the art technology
supported by VoIP, wireless capabilities, covered
parking lot, IT support and secretarial and
administrative services.

The surrounding area and nearby San Marco is steeped in historic architecture, along with luxury hotels, restaurants,
and entertainment facilities, including football, baseball
and hockey stadiums.

Lastly, Search Office Space also has a recommended business centre is the famous Hollywood area. This luxury office space for rent on Biscayne Boulevard includes a stunning reception and professional staff, which is sure to impress visitors and clients, thus helping your business to establish a prestigious reputation.

Facilities include customised office suites, with the option of fully furnished, or unfurnished depending on your specific budget and requirements; state of the art technology and digital telephone systems, photocopying, faxing and mail services.

The centre provides convenient on-site car parking, and fully equipped meeting and conference rooms. Rental prices start at $1,000 per month.

To find out more about office space in Florida, talk to Search Office Space now on 0800740 80 80 to discuss your requirements.

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