“We relocated from Surrey to Kent and our key focus was to find training rooms with a professional environment at competitive rates. Hotel rooms can be very expensive and the atmosphere is generally impersonal. We tried many options and found that we were just a reference number booking a training room for a day.

Through networking we came across Kent Space in Chatham and have never looked back. The building offers a large reception area which is perfect for greeting clients; the meeting rooms can be booked by the hour, half day or full day. Our training requires audio visual screens, flipcharts, white boards and internet access which are all included in the room hire. Catering is booked according to our requirements and there is a spacious coffee break out area; ideal for everyone to stretch out and chat between training sessions.

Price wise the meeting rooms are extremely competitive and considering we cannot run our training business without them we have been delighted with managing these costs.  A second reason for choosing these facilities was the professional environment and first class customer service. The team at Kent Space provide a very personal service; from our guests being looked after upon arrival to checking our every need before, during and after each booking. Nothing is too much trouble, and our clients come into the building feeling welcomed from the minute they step in, to the minute they leave our training sessions.

Parking is perfect and Kent Space is located just two miles from junction 3 of the M2 and five miles from junction 6 of the M20; all our clients can easily find our training rooms.

Our courses are typically one or two days and the clients vary from professional corporations such as accountants and solicitors to manufacturers, retailers, charities and a whole range of businesses. We get a lot of recommendations and we find it is just as important to provide good training as it is to be situated in a nice building and professional atmosphere.

The training facilities at Kent Space also suit our public workshops perfectly, and this has prompted us to run our confident cold calling and real sales skills workshops at Kent Space this September.

Kent Space goes that extra mile and provides great value for money. We can even book instant office or desk space as and when we need”, Paul Routley, Real Selling Sales Training.

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

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

“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

Shelley Abela set up her business, Abela Secretarial Services in April 2005, operating as a sole trader. She goes to clients premises or work is sent directly to her. Four years on and she has become a limited company employing two people to support the demand.

“Part of my work is book-keeping and documents need to be kept for a number of years. The clients do not want these old files in their offices and as part of my service I look after them. At first I used to store the files at home, but as my customers have grown this is no longer feasible. Then one day I attended a business coaching seminar at Kent Space in Chatham and came across the ideal solution for my document storage needs. I now have my own self storage unit which is so easy to use and minutes from the motorway. I live in Maidstone, so I pop in the mornings or evenings to and from work and collect the files I need.

The storage units are clean and bright, and I buy my archive boxes on site. The security is excellent for the files and I feel safe. In addition, I only need to give 7 days notice to up or downsize my storage space. This simple solution to storing documents has meant I can offer my service to more clients and as a result have expanded my business”, Shelley Abela. www.abelasecretarial.com

Who would think SAGA would ever need storage space?    Well, Tina Loftus, Area Manager for SAGA Independent Living found that it was impossible to find flexible office space to work in with storage for her products. The company offers community care for those who want to live independently. The service ranges from domestic cleaning, to personal hygiene, assisting with medication, companionship, feeding and much more.

“We have our main office in Folkestone and wanted to branch out into Chatham. I had been looking for a location to have training and business meetings as well as a convenient place to store our products. We have protective equipment, aprons, gloves and numerous items needed in our everyday work of caring for people. I live locally in Chatham and was introduced to Kent Space, which could not have been more convenient. I regularly book meeting rooms and use the hot desk facility whenever I need. We have a storage unit to keep all our stock and can have access 24 hours a day. The business centre is bright, clean and very welcoming so all my staff look forward to our meetings and training days. The whole environment is very professional and so flexible. We only pay for the facilities we use.

The Business Centre and storage space have meant that we have been able to offer SAGA Independent Living to Chatham and the surrounding area.  As a result we have expanded our customer base”, Tina Loftus, SAGA Independent Living.   Tina.loftus@saga.co.uk

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

Suzanne Knowles of Kent Space in Chatham has found storage providing a stimulus for home moving customers. People are taking the opportunity to sell their properties, put their goods into storage and move into rented accommodation.

“Many of our customers are coming to us because they are just are about to complete on the sale of their property and need to store until they move into their next home. The comments we have had reflect how people are making the most of every opportunity to sell.

Rented accommodation is often partly furnished so we have found customers requiring clean, safe and secure self storage where they can access their possessions whenever they need. Also providing home movers with all the packing materials is essential and this is something we always have in stock.
Help with recommendations for good local removal or van hire companies is a regular request too. The demand for storage is certainly positive”.

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

John Hellyer of J. E. H. Security Services has been in business for 5 years, designing and installing major commercial and residential security systems.

“I set up my business working from home, using a bedroom upstairs as my office. Meetings with engineers, numerous suppliers and clients meant that my house was in constant use. It’s very difficult asking an engineer to take their shoes off before they come upstairs and on top of that our dog would jump all over them. The atmosphere was certainly friendly, but not as business like as I would have preferred.

I decided to look for some office space and came across so many dingy, dark, lonely office blocks that felt like prison cells. I’m now settled into Kent Space with my own fully furnished office, which has glass walls, meeting rooms available if I need them, professional reception services, a communal coffee break out area, free parking and space to store my archive files, samples and anything I want in a self storage unit on site.

Now when I have meetings with my clients and suppliers the atmosphere is professional and I can also switch off from work at the end of the day. The team at Kent Space are so friendly and nothing is too much trouble. There is a team spirit and all the offices get to speak in the coffee area, everyone feels safe and no one feels alone.  Having more space has certainly been a major improvement to my working day”, John Hellyer, J.E. H. Security Services.

Zest which is a full service marketing agency, needed space for quite a different use. They have been established 20 years, have 29 employees and required space to store all their promotional items and arrange mailings.

Alex Hayes, Production Co-ordinator said “We have a busy schedule of production, designing advertising promotions for our clients and creating novel ideas to get response for sales leads. Holding stock is a real issue, and on top of this we need space to sort and pack items for mailings. The variety of products range from brochures, envelopes, letters, jiffy bags, promotional mugs, pens, and a whole variety of gifts. These have to be delivered into store, packed and mailed out.

We decided that we needed more space than our offices could offer and came across Kent Space located down the road in Lordswood. The self storage centre could not be more practical for us. The access is excellent for all our deliveries and the security is vital not only for our valuable products, but also for our own safety when we have to work late. The store is clean and bright and the space allows us to prepare all our mailings easily and efficiently with the stock all at hand.

The staff at Kent Space are very friendly and flexible, and this whole opportunity of preparing our mailings on site has made a tremendous improvement to the way we operate. We have access 24/7 and only pay for the space we use. It could not be better”.

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

First, Keith set out his criteria to look for serviced offices: not too far from home, no long term lease agreements, cost effectiveness and a friendly environment.

“There are so many offices on the market; they all seem to have fixed term contracts, hardly any security, no parking, and generally the offer of a small back room.  Upon viewing quite a lot of offices I found the atmosphere was lonely and either dingy or clinical. I then visited Kent Space in Chatham and was so relieved to find a warm friendly atmosphere”, says Keith.

Upon arrival he was given a guided tour of the whole site with a full brief about the services on offer. Despite only needing some desk space in an open plan area, he was made to feel like he was renting a large office suite. All the facilities of a big office environment were made available to him: meeting rooms, large, fully manned reception for greeting clients and suppliers, a coffee break out area to stretch into during the lunch hour and during the day, with secretarial and catering services available if needed.

“I settled in at Kent Space within minutes of arriving. The atmosphere is professional and the staff our extremely obliging and friendly. When I have any questions, they are dealt with immediately and I feel that I am really looked after. When my suppliers visit me they all comment on the friendly office environment, so this makes the working day even more positive”, says Keith.

Deciding on whether to take the first step from working at home to renting office space is often considered when one has lots of sales representatives and suppliers to meet with, and also when paperwork and files are overtaking space at home. Hotel lounges and coffee shops do not create the right atmosphere in the long run. We have all used them for occasional meetings, but need the comfort of an office for regular meetings and important presentations. Also, the mass of files one accumulates for work can not always be put away at the end of each day, so the spare room, dining room or even the hall, if this is where the computer is based, can look a mess at home. This is not ideal for most people, let alone the rest of the family.

At Kent Space, Keith and others have found that it is well worth leaving home to have a clear distinction between the work place and family life. The day time is generally more productive if one is focused on work and there are no friends, neighbours and family popping in during the day.

The priority search factor is to find a cost effective office where there are no hidden extras. Suzanne Knowles, Manager at Kent Space has created fully furnished offices, with everything to run a business included in the price. There are lots of optional extras which can be tailored to individual needs. “We have tried to create a comfortable, professional and flexible environment for people either working alone or in a team. We even have a self storage centre on site to provide archive space for files and stock storage for products. Our flexible approach with space and service means that we treat our clients as individuals and help them settle in from their work space at home to their office environment. It’s not a hard step to take if there are no long term financial commitments”, says Suzanne.

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

With rising commercial property prices and increasing interest rates, setting up a new business or expanding a current one can be a major financial burden.  Kent Space in Chatham has opened a new business centre with a self storage facility. It offers instant desk space or fully serviced offices from 200 – 500 sq. ft.  The prices are the most competitive locally; with no long lease agreements or big deposits to pay. Designed to support new and expanding businesses, with everything on one site and providing flexibility to increase or reduce space as required.

The offices are fully furnished, air conditioned, and set up with telephones and high speed internet access. Lighting, heating and rates are all included in the price, there are no hidden extras. Conference rooms are available for hire, with catering tailored for the occasion.

The reception area is perfect for meeting and greeting clients. Secretarial services can be arranged; photocopying, franking mail, receiving post are all there for you to use as required. There are break out coffee points to use whilst in the offices. Lunch time caterers are on site everyday.

Each suite has its own key card entry and is alarmed. Access is available 24/7 and the whole site has CCTV security. Staff are available during normal office hours. The centre is set up to provide flexibility for any size of business.

Most businesses have a vision and a budget and this new business centre enables companies or individuals to run a flexible business with a ‘pay as you go’ solution for the space used. When more space is required, more can be booked. This minimises set up costs, making a new business more accessible.

The self storage section provides clean, safe and accessible storage for both home and business use. So whether you are running your business from the desk space or office suites, just using the conference facilities for the occasional meeting, or keeping your business stock on site: everything to support your business will be available in one location.

This professional, well designed business centre is fuss free and instant. Kent Space is now here to support Chatham and the surrounding areas.

Simply call Kent Space to view on 01634 673157
www.kentspace.co.uk

Kent Space in Chatham has set up fully serviced offices with self storage facilities for businesses all on one site. Minutes from the M2 motorway, businesses can store stock, receive deliveries, and if required have an office or desk space to operate from one location.

Flexibility is a key benefit of the service, enabling you to just pay for the service you need and size up and down as required. Whether you use office space or the self storage facility, there are no long term financial commitments; so as your business shrinks or expands with seasonal demands or changes, your costs can be managed carefully.

Access to your self storage unit or office is 24/7 so you can operate with no restrictions. The self storage facility provides space from as small as a locker with all sizes up to and over 200 sq ft. Fork lift services are available making this practical to receive and despatch palletised goods. Deliveries can be accepted helping you operate your storage needs. The units are clean and dry with good lighting and loading bays for vans and large vehicles. It has all been designed for you to manage your stock or equipment in the way that suits your business.

The business centre has a professional reception area, perfect for meeting and greeting clients. For individuals, desk space is available in an open plan area, and you also have the option of office space in various sizes, starting with areas for two to three people and expanding up to eight to ten per office suite.

Conference rooms are available for hire by the hour, half day or full day. They are comfortable and fully equipped with audio visual screens, flipcharts, whiteboards and high speed internet access. It is ideal for inviting clients to your office or even holding internal meetings. Catering can be arranged to suit the occasion.

The break out area is practical for day long meetings which need a few breaks to get refreshed, or if working in the offices and need a coffee or lunch break. Everything has been designed to enable a comfortable working environment for everyone at Kent Space.

Secretarial services are available to help with typing, photocopying, binding reports and preparing presentations. You may need assistance to work on certain projects; all of this can be arranged and tailored to your business needs.

Security is vital for any business and each office suite has its own key card entry and is alarmed. Access is available 24/7 and the whole site has CCTV  security.

Discuss your business needs today and call Kent Space on 01634 673157

The offices are fully furnished, air conditioned, and set up with telephones and high speed internet access. Lighting, heating and rates are all included in the price, there are no hidden extras. Conference rooms are available for hire, with catering tailored for the occasion.

The reception area is perfect for meeting and greeting clients. Secretarial services can be arranged; photocopying, franking mail, receiving post are all there for you to use as required. There are break out coffee points to use whilst in the offices. Lunch time caterers are on site everyday.

Each suite has its own key card entry and is alarmed. Access is available 24/7 and the whole site has CCTV security. Staff are available during normal office hours and weekends. The centre is set up to provide flexibility for any size of business.

Most businesses have a vision and a budget and this new business centre enables companies or individuals to run a flexible business with a ‘pay as you go’ solution for the space used. When more space is required, more can be booked. This minimises set up costs, making a new business more accessible.

By January ’08 the self storage section will be up and running and this will be providing storage for both home and business use. So whether you are running your business from the desk space or office suites, just using the conference facilities for the occasional meeting, or keeping your business stock on site: everything to support your business will be available in one location.

This professional, well designed business centre is fuss free and instant. Kent Space is now here to support Chatham and the surrounding areas icluding The Medway.

Simply call Kent Space to talk and view on 01634 673157