Published on:

08 July 2024

Updated on:

05 July 2024

Read time:

2 minutes

Cyril Parsons

Chairman

When it comes to office relocation, choosing the right workplace setting or location is a critical decision. The location and type of office space you select can have a significant impact on your company's success, affecting factors such as employee productivity, client accessibility, and operational costs.

In this article, we'll explore various workplace settings, including city centres, suburban areas, campuses, business parks, industrial parks, and rural or countryside locations. We'll discuss the pros and cons of each setting to help you make an informed decision for your organisation.

City Centre

City centre offices are located in the heart of urban areas, often in high-rise buildings or historic properties. These locations offer a range of benefits but also come with some drawbacks.

Pros of a city centre location:

  1. Accessibility: City centre offices are easily accessible by public transportation, making it convenient for employees and clients to reach your business.
  2. Amenities: Urban areas offer a wide range of amenities, such as restaurants, cafes, shops, and services, which can be attractive to employees and clients.
  3. Prestige: A city centre address can lend prestige to your business, enhancing your brand image and credibility.
  4. Networking: Being located in a city centre can provide opportunities for networking and collaboration with other businesses in the area.

Cons of a city centre location:

  1. High costs: City centre office spaces tend to be more expensive than other settings, both in terms of rent and operational costs.
  2. Limited space: Due to high demand and limited availability, city centre offices may have smaller floor plans or less room for expansion.
  3. Congestion: Urban areas can be congested, leading to traffic and parking challenges for employees and clients.
  4. Noise and distractions: The hustle and bustle of city life can create noise and distractions that may impact employee productivity.
  5. Parking: City centre offices often have very limited or indeed no parking whatsoever. Asking staff and clients to use car parks like NCP can be expensive if used regularly.

Suburban

Suburban offices are located outside the city centre but still within a metropolitan area. These settings offer a balance between the convenience of urban locations and the space and cost benefits of more remote areas.

Pros of suburban offices:

  1. Lower costs: Suburban office spaces are often more affordable than city centre locations, both in terms of rent and operational expenses.
  2. More space: Suburban settings typically offer larger office spaces and more room for expansion compared to city centre locations.
  3. Parking: Suburban offices often have more parking options available for employees and clients.
  4. Work-life balance: Suburban locations can provide a better work-life balance for employees, with shorter commute times and proximity to residential areas.

Cons of suburban offices:

  1. Limited public transportation: Depending on the specific location, suburban offices may have limited access to public transportation, making it more challenging for employees and clients who rely on these services.
  2. Fewer amenities: Suburban areas may have fewer amenities compared to city centres, with limited options for dining, shopping, and other services.
  3. Reduced networking opportunities: Being located outside the city centre can limit opportunities for networking and collaboration with other businesses.
  4. Perception: Some clients or partners may perceive suburban offices as less prestigious compared to city centre locations.

Campus

Campus-style offices are typically located in suburban or rural settings and feature a cluster of buildings designed to create a cohesive and collaborative work environment.

Pros of campus offices:

  1. Collaborative environment: Campus settings are designed to foster collaboration and innovation, with shared spaces and amenities that encourage interaction among employees.
  2. Customisation: Campus offices can be customised to suit the specific needs of your business, with flexible layouts and room for expansion. Often they offer additional meeting rooms to meet on an adhoc basis.
  3. Work-life balance: Campus settings often provide a range of on-site amenities, such as fitness centres, cafeterias, and green spaces, which can improve employee work-life balance and satisfaction.
  4. Branding: A well-designed campus can help reinforce your company's brand identity and culture.
  5. Parking: Many campuses have free parking for staff and visitors.


Cons of campus offices:

  1. Location: Campus offices are often located outside city centres, which can be less convenient for employees and clients who rely on public transportation or prefer urban amenities.
  2. Higher costs: Developers at campus style locations often want organisations to commit to longer leases.
  3. Maintenance: Campus settings may require more extensive maintenance and upkeep compared to single-building offices, including landscaping, security, and facilities management.
  4. Isolation: Depending on the location, campus offices may feel isolated from the surrounding community, with limited access to external amenities and services.

Business Park

Business parks are planned developments that host a mix of office, light industrial, and sometimes retail spaces. These settings are designed to provide a professional environment for businesses of various sizes and industries.

Pros of a business park location:

  1. Infrastructure: Business parks often have well-developed infrastructure, including roads, parking, and telecommunications networks, which can support your business operations.
  2. Amenities: Many business parks offer shared amenities, such as conference facilities, food services, and fitness centres, which can be cost-effective for smaller businesses.
  3. Accessibility: Business parks are often located near major highways or transportation hubs, making them easily accessible for employees and clients.
  4. Networking: Being located in a business park can provide opportunities for networking and collaboration with other businesses in the development.
  5. Parking: Many business parks have free parking for staff and visitors.

Cons of business parks:

  1. Competition: Locating your business in a park alongside competitors can make it more challenging to stand out and attract clients.
  2. Lease restrictions: Business park leases may have restrictions on signage, parking, or other aspects of your operations, which can limit your flexibility.
  3. Lack of character: Some business parks may lack the unique character or identity of other workplace settings, which can impact your brand image.
  4. Commute times: Depending on the location, employees may face longer commute times if the business park is not easily accessible by public transportation.

The choice of workplace location is a strategic decision that significantly impacts a company's culture, productivity, and bottom line. The key is aligning the location with your organization's unique needs and future aspirations. Successful relocations thoroughly evaluate options, consider employees' needs, and choose a setting that supports long-term growth objectives.

Cyril Parsons, Chairman

Industrial Park

Industrial parks are zoned areas designed to accommodate manufacturing, warehousing, and distribution facilities. While not traditionally associated with office spaces, some industrial parks now include office components to support on-site operations.

Pros of industrial parks:

  1. Lower costs: Industrial park office spaces are often more affordable than other settings, with lower rent and operating expenses.
  2. Flexibility: Industrial parks can offer flexible space options, allowing businesses to adapt their office layout to changing needs.
  3. Proximity to operations: For businesses with manufacturing or distribution components, having an office in an industrial park can provide proximity to these operations, improving efficiency and communication.
  4. Parking: Industrial parks typically have ample parking options for employees and visitors.
  5. Locations: Industrial parks are normally located close to motorways and road networks and have delivery bays to support large trucks and delivery/collection vehicles.

Cons of industrial parks:

  1. Location: Industrial parks are often located outside city centres and may not be easily accessible by public transportation, which can be a drawback for employees and clients.
  2. Limited amenities: Industrial parks may have fewer amenities compared to other workplace settings, with limited options for dining, shopping, and other services.
  3. Noise and pollution: Depending on the specific location and neighbouring businesses, industrial parks may experience noise, odours, or other forms of pollution that can impact the office environment.
  4. Perception: Some clients or partners may perceive industrial park offices as less professional or prestigious compared to other settings.

Rural or Countryside

Rural or countryside offices are located outside metropolitan areas, often in scenic or natural settings. These locations can offer unique benefits but also come with some challenges.

Pros of rural locations:

  1. Lower costs: Rural office spaces are often significantly more affordable than urban or suburban locations, with lower rent and operating expenses.
  2. Natural environment: Offices in rural settings can provide a peaceful and scenic work environment, with access to natural amenities like parks or trails.
  3. Work-life balance: Rural locations can offer a better work-life balance for employees, with shorter commute times and a more relaxed pace of life.
  4. Community involvement: Businesses in rural settings may have more opportunities to engage with and support the local community, building goodwill and brand loyalty.

Cons of rural locations:

  1. Limited accessibility: Rural offices may be far from major transportation hubs, making it more challenging for employees and clients to reach your business.
  2. Reduced talent pool: Depending on the location, rural areas may have a smaller pool of qualified job candidates, which can make it more difficult to attract and retain talent.
  3. Limited amenities: Rural settings may have fewer amenities and services compared to urban or suburban areas, which can be a drawback for employees and clients.
  4. Infrastructure challenges: Some rural locations may have limited access to high-speed internet, reliable utilities, or other infrastructure necessary for business operations.

Choosing the right workplace setting for your business relocation is a complex decision that requires careful consideration of your company's specific needs, goals, and culture. Each setting - from city centres to rural locations - offers its own unique advantages and disadvantages.

By weighing the pros and cons of each option and aligning your choice with your business objectives, you can select a workplace setting that supports your company's success and growth.

Remember, the ideal location will balance factors such as accessibility, cost, amenities, and employee satisfaction to create a productive and thriving work environment for your team.

Meet the Author

Cyril Parsons Chairman
Cyril Parsons Chairman

A founding partner of Office Principles, Cyril has over 30 years’ experience in workplace design and has been instrumental in the success of the business and its positioning as a leading workplace consultancy. An author of white papers and a renowned industry speaker, who regularly hosts his own popular seminars and webinars, thought leader Cyril’s book on office relocation and fit out, The Black Book, is currently on its fourth edition.

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