Finding good office accommodation and practical storage space with flexible licences is not that easy to find, even in today’s environment with numerous vacant buildings. Close proximity to the motorways, free parking; space to meet clients, hold meetings, store archive files and retail stock is a unique offering.

Suzanne Knowles of Kent Space set up 16 months ago and created fully serviced offices and self storage all on one site.

“The bright and airy offices, together with the household and business storage facility are in demand. Everyone who comes to view us comments on the light and spacious environment. No one is made to feel alone, we have created a community feel to the building so that people can meet in the coffee break out area, visit the retail shop for their stationery and packaging needs, and come into reception to meet their clients”, says Suzanne.

Two companies recently commented on their experiences when searching for space to run their businesses. Lesley Hedges of HIT Training had been looking at what seemed like hundreds of offices all over Kent as the company had outgrown its current accommodation and Lynette Stock of Artist Paint Box found the perfect solution for her shop.

“I‘m part of a national company and manage Hospitality Industry Training, known as HIT Training for the whole of the Kent area. We provide training to pubs, restaurants, hotels, schools, care homes and a variety of businesses. Food hygiene and health and safety licences have to be renewed regularly and we need to keep copies of all qualifications in our archives.

Having been established for three years we grew and needed more office space. I looked at many buildings within the region of Kent and found they were dark, with lonely corridors, lacked space for our files and felt more like prison cells with closed doors and minimal windows. Once I walked into Kent Space I was really impressed. The offices were so bright and welcoming. There was space to put all our archive files in safe storage and meeting rooms to book when we need them. The location is right off the motorway, there is plenty of parking, and because we now have the best offices in the SE region all our national meetings are held in our location. When staff arrive they can go and make coffee and sit in the break out area to unwind after a long drive. The building is clean, bright and safe; once viewed one would never look elsewhere”, Lesley Hedges, HIT Training.

Lynette Stock of Artist Paint Box had quite a different need for space. She has been in business for four and a half years selling art materials, but found the cost of her shop rent too much so decided to create an online service for her products.

“My husband has office space at Kent Space and suggested that I come and view the self storage area to keep all my stock. I liked the set up very much as there is a wonderful reception area to meet clients and then show them the products for purchase. I can keep all my stock clean, safe and dry. When customers order from the internet or call me for canvasses, modelling equipment or anything they need I simply go into my self storage unit and pack the items ready for postage or delivering in person if they live locally. This is a great solution to my business and just because I closed a shop it does not mean I closed a business, instead I can offer good deals and have widened my client base”, Lynette Stock, Artist Paint Box.

For more information call Kent Space on 01634 673157
sales@kentspace.co.uk
www.kentspace.co.uk

Within a year of setting up business, Kent Space in Medway has achieved 75% capacity of its fully serviced offices and 50% capacity of its self storage centre.
This is quite an achievement for any new company and especially in today’s economic climate.

“The key to success has been to develop a very personalised service for office accommodation and storage. When an individual or company look for office space they generally know what they are looking for and it’s the extra services which stand out to provide the support that creates business success”, says Suzanne Knowles, Manager of Kent Space.

Having the self storage centre next to the offices is a unique offering for business to store stock and operate their complete business from one site.  This with the added flexibility to increase or decrease their space requirements to suit seasonal demands or general business changes, creates one of the key ingredients for success.

Businesses store their stock in clean, safe and bright self storage units with the added benefit of having a fork lift driver to assist with pallet deliveries and an on-site shop for purchasing any boxes and general packaging materials as needed. The storage units vary in size from 25 to 200 square feet with the option to increase or decrease at one week’s notice. There is a reception area to meet clients, so reps and clients can be professionally greeted as they come on site and this sets the tone for first impressions.

“If a company needs to see us at 8pm to discuss their office accommodation or self storage needs, we will be here to greet them and fit in with their requirements. If they need a meeting room for a long day or just a few hours, we will accommodate. If they need an assistant or secretary for a short time, stationery and files, photocopying and binding reports, refreshments or catering; all of this is arranged to ensure whilst a company is running its business everything is smoothly managed for their daily needs. As a result our clients get a very flexible and personalised service, and this has resulted in our offices being filled so quickly and a decision to build more”, says Suzanne Knowles.

Clients have free parking, the offices are light and spacious and with comfort cooling, there is also plenty of space to stretch out during the day and use the coffee break out area. No one feels alone working in their offices, and everyone is given lots of attention to ensure they are looked after.

Security and access are priority. Each office suite has its own key card entry and is alarmed. Access is 24/7 and the whole site has CCTV security. There are no extra charges for this access and it provides the flexibility businesses need to operate today.

“Our business approach has always been based on helping to support people run their own businesses by providing everything they would need to set up, expand or just run their current operation. We listen, ask their needs and support them all, so that they can remain successful and stay in business, with no long term financial commitments”, says Suzanne Knowles.

For more information call Kent Space on 01634 673157
sales@kentspace.co.uk
www.kentspace.co.uk