Meeting the target of being up and running by the end of last year, Phase Two of the brand new offices created to expand the portfolio at Wrest Park Enterprise has now been launched – ending the year on a positive note in the current climate.
The plans for two significant extensions to the existing space were well under way when lockdown was imposed in March, leaving Group Estates Manager David Taylor slightly apprehensive. But the resilience and adaptability of businesses has not only seen Phase One reach near completion, there’s a great deal of interest already in Phase Two.
In October, a new extension to Endeavour House added 5,000 square feet, within which 14 of the 17 offices are now occupied. Another purpose-built centre, offering 16 offices and six individual studios, was completed at the end of 2020 as an extension to Enterprise House.
David Taylor said:
“Like many businesses, we did wonder what the future held last March, but we needn’t have worried. The response has been fantastic, and we start the new year feeling very optimistic.
“The benefit of a business centre like ours is the flexibility it offers, particularly in the current climate. Some firms with larger offices are realising that they don’t need as much space as before because some people are working from home. If they don’t have a long lease or they are approaching a break in the lease, they can downsize, without committing to a fixed term, and then revise the situation in a few months or a year, when things settle down.
“With regard to smaller businesses, there are a lot of start-ups where people have either been made redundant, or used furlough to rethink their futures, and they’ve decided to go on their own. The benefits to them of somewhere like Wrest Park Enterprise are clear.”
Offices are available for a minimum three-month term and then move to a rolling, month-by-month basis after that period. There are options on the size of office, from two desks to 15 and tenants benefit from 24-hour access, a manned reception, broadband and telephony and discounted rates on booking the on-site meeting rooms.
Parking is available on site, and in the case of the six new studios, which have their own entrance doors and space for 10 to 14 desks, dedicated parking spaces are included.
“We’re in a beautiful countryside setting, although we’re within easy reach of Luton, Bedford and all the major transport links,”
said David.
“I think a lot of businesses are re-imagining their office environment and rethinking what their needs are and many don’t want to be in a large town or city, leasing space for 40 or 50 desks when the benefits of flexible working and working from home have become evident.
“At Wrest Park, we can work to accommodate just about any business model. The centre includes a day office that can be rented short term if someone normally works from home but just needs somewhere away from all distractions to finish an important report or project. We also have socially distanced co-working spaces for £199 a month, where you can have a desk in a room with a small group of people, so you’re not isolated and have interaction with others, if that’s how you work best. Some businesses don’t need an office at all, but do need a prestigious business address – our virtual tenancy takes care of this for just £45 plus VAT per month.
“This has been a very challenging time for a lot of businesses, but as we have discovered, people are resourceful and ready to adapt. We like to think that we have responded to that and come up with a range of solutions that make it easier for everyone to get back to running their businesses the way that works best for them.”
To find out more about Wrest Park Enterprise or book a tour of the facilities, call 01525 306000 or visit Wrest Park Enterprise
