Picking the right commercial property to rent is one of the most important decisions you’ll make as an organisation.
Get it right, and you’ve set the foundation for long-term success and growth. Get it wrong, however, and you’ll spend years wrestling with the limitations of an unsuitable space. Indeed, the consequences of this choice affect everything from your operational efficiency to brand perception and future growth potential.
Understanding these key factors that determine commercial property success ensures that you make an informed decision, one that supports your business objectives for years to come. Here’s what matters most in making that choice.
1. Location strategy and accessibility
Location determines who can reach you, how easily, and at what cost. The right one can accelerate the growth you hadn’t anticipated.
Transport links matter more than almost anything else. Staff who can commute without stress arrive more focused and stay longer. Clients who can reach you easily are more likely to visit regularly.
Look for proximity to motorways, rail connections, and bus routes. If your team regularly travels for work, airport access becomes a crucial consideration. If clients visit frequently, consider the availability of parking.
Demographics require much homework. The surrounding area shapes who you can recruit, who might buy from you, and what kind of business environment you’ll operate within.
Science and tech companies cluster in certain areas, such as Winnersh Triangle, for good reason: the talent pool (51% of professionals surveyed working at Winnersh Triangle have STEM qualifications) and the networking opportunities.
There is an ecosystem of related businesses at Winnersh Triangle, with a high concentration of technical and scientific expertise, particularly in networking and telecommunications, scientific research, and engineering.
Space planning and future-proofing
Most businesses estimate their space needs and often do so poorly. They either cram too many people into too little space or rattle around in premises far larger than necessary.
Start with realistic occupancy patterns
If half of your team works from home two days a week, factor that into your calculations. If you’ve got seasonal staff fluctuations, plan for the typical rather than the peak.
The layout affects everything
Open-plan offices suit some operations but can be detrimental to others.
Consider:
- Noise levels
- Privacy requirements
- Natural light
- How different teams need to interact
Some businesses need meeting rooms constantly; others hardly use them. Some require storage; others operate almost entirely digitally.
It’s wise to think past today’s needs to keep an eye on the future. Growth usually happens faster than expected, but so does change in how you operate. Properties offering expansion options, such as additional floors or adjacent units, can save substantial disruption in the future.
Discover your perfect workspace at Winnersh Triangle, where entrepreneurs, innovators, and creative pioneers in engineering, technology, manufacturing, media, and R&D come together. Join a thriving community of forward-thinking professionals and unlock your business potential in this prestigious innovation hub with abundant floor space.
Building infrastructure and technical specifications
Modern businesses rely heavily on technology, which in turn requires a robust infrastructure. What appears to be the ideal space can prove entirely unsuitable if it cannot support your operational requirements. These points are crucial in finding a space with the right infrastructure:
- Pay attention to power capacity, which is often overlooked. At Winnersh Triangle, companies can rest easy knowing they can rely on the power capacity to comfortably support all their operations.
- Check not just the headline broadband speeds, but the reliability, the WiFi coverage throughout the building, and whether the infrastructure can handle growth in your connectivity requirements.
The infrastructure that Winnersh Triangle provides to all our occupants supports the operational needs of any business, including all aspects covered here.
Make your next business move to the Reading area
With its strategic location, diverse commercial property to rent options, economic advantages, and supportive business environment, Reading offers an exceptional proposition for companies seeking a prime location for their operations.
Winnersh Triangle is a 1.5 million sq ft mixed-use science and technology hub located in Reading, offering a wide range of commercial office spaces, including major headquarters buildings, Grade A offices, and start-up office suites. To learn more, please contact us today.
