Premises

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Where will your business be based?

Like buying a new home, choosing your business’ premise is a big decision. The RICS (Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors) guides to small business property have information about buying, leasing, maintaining or extending business premises.

Below are a few questions to think about when making your decision:

• Can you start from home and progress into an office space? If you are working from home, have you looked at the different requirements, ie. business use of the property? Check with your local Council for what restrictions there may be
• Would a premises close to your home be more convenient or somewhere easier for your customers to reach?

Office space

If you choose to be based away from home, but aren’t sure about the affordability of renting an office there are a number of business centres around the area that may be suited to you.

For smaller, developing businesses it is also worth considering whether co-working spaces, as a cheaper alternative to permanent office space, may be appropriate.

• Are you eligible for Business Rate relief? Check with your local Business Rates team at the Council to see what is currently available.
• Do you need planning permission or change of use for any works you will be completing in your new premises? Check with your local Council for procedures you may need to follow.