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

In the current economic climate outsourcing part of your business cost base is at the forefront of most Company Director’s minds, with property costs being a significant part of peoples’ overheads. Operating within a cost effective short term tenancy agreement is becoming an attractive option.

Abela Secretarial Services and Saga Independent Living are two very different businesses who have both been able to benefit from outsourcing to flexible storage and office space.

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