• Consider location based on your business type and foot traffic needs.

• Ensure the property allows for customisation and redesign to meet your requirements.

• Plan for growth potential and assess if the property can accommodate it.

• Look for necessary facilities and accessibility features tailored to your business needs.

If you are relocating your business, or if you’re looking for your first commercial space to move into, then there’s a range of factors that you need to consider. In this article, the team at Arc Business Interiors are going to look at the top 5 things to think about when buying or renting a commercial property.

Location

The location holds different levels of importance depending on the type of business you’re operating. For example, a bar should ideally be in a place with high levels of foot traffic, but if you’re looking for a space for a workshop or fabrication business, industrial parks with larger warehouse-type properties are more suitable. Of course, in the city centre, high foot traffic areas will incur higher rents/prices, so you will have to weigh up the outlay against the potential benefits of the location.

Potential customisation

When you’ve secured your new commercial premises, the next step is to make it your own, so it’s important you have the opportunity to redesign and renovate your property. If you’re renting a property, check with landlords and letting agents to see if they’ll allow you to customise the space before committing to a contract. The design of your workplace is important not just for making a good impression on customers and visitors, but it also plays a significant role in job satisfaction and employee happiness and productivity.

Growth potential

Think about your plans for the business across the next decade. Is your earmarked property suitable for any potential growth? If you have ideas of expansion, or if you feel there’s a real possibility of growth in the coming years, make sure any potential premises has the space to accommodate for it. Of course, you need to be realistic; there’s no sense in purchasing a sprawling property for your six-person startup, but there’s a lot of sense in being proactive and ambitious.

Facilities

There’s a range of facilities that you should look for, ranging from the necessities like broadband to optional luxuries like cafes, games rooms and breakout areas. What is defined as a necessity will vary depending on your type of business – looking for an industrial premises? A hard-wearing floor and plenty of storage space will be required. Opening a retail space? Areas for stock rooms, staff rooms, and internal offices will be necessary.

Accessibility

The accessibility category features two main parts: your premises needs to be accessible for those with disabilities, whether they’re clients, guests or staff members. Think about lifts, disabled toilets and other facilities which will make life easier for people with limited mobility. Secondly, the property itself needs to be easily accessible for business reasons; if your business takes lots of deliveries or ships lots of products, then the delivery vehicles need to be able to reach you. For these kinds of businesses, look for properties near major roads and transport routes to make receiving and sending goods much easier.

Whether you’ve already settled into your new commercial property, or you’ve signed on the dotted line and you’re ready to move, a commercial fit-out is often required to take your workplace to the next level. Arc Business Interiors are award-winning experts in commercial interior design and refurbishments, transforming workspaces both small and large into beautiful environments that get the best out of staff. To find out more about our commercial and office fit-outs across Leicester, Loughborough, Nottingham, Derby, Sheffield, Northampton, Coventry and beyond please contact us today on Call us on 0800 612 2107 .