Sunday Business Post- The perfect buildings to house ambitious companies

This article first appeared on The Sunday Business Post on 26.06.2017.

The way of modern business is changing – and Belfast is embracing that change.

Where once premises were everything for a new business with the name above the door, there is now a more tech-based approach. The door is often online, the signage a web address. And to cater for that change, serviced offices allow individuals and small to medium-sized entities to focus on their core day-to-day business without the headache that can sometimes come with locating and securing office space.

On Arthur Street in Belfast, the Arthur House and Arthur Place serviced offices have space for up to 600 people.

These two Glandore-owned and family-run buildings offer fast-growing companies peace of mind that their space requirements can all be accommodated within single, open-plan office suites and dedicated full floors.

Michael Kelly, managing director of Glandore, said: “We offer companies and individuals space in our offices initially on a short licence agreement with a minimum of three months and then they can extend the tenure after that. We have some Glandore members who have been with us for ten years. It just allows people flexibility and they can even just have a co-working desk or virtual office to start with, before moving onto a private office.

“In some cases, our flexible office spaces have also proved very popular for project or overflow work purposes. For many start-ups and new up-and-coming businesses, having a resource such as Arthur House and Arthur Place can be crucial in allowing them take their first steps on the corporate ladder.”

Located in the heart of Belfast, the specifically designed Grade A office buildings are positioned in the city’s business district and just two minutes from City Hall, both in close proximity to the very best restaurants, cafes and bars that Belfast has to offer.

Companies can take anything from one to 120 desks (space allowing) and Glandore provide an operations team on standby 24-hours-a-day for technical support.

There are both private office and co-working spaces (all with natural light) as well as reception areas, kitchen and ‘breakout’ areas, a members lounge with a roof terrace, high speed wifi, secure parking options and CCTV security.

Occupancy rates at the Glandore serviced offices stand at around 85 per cent on average but, by the nature of the business and the flexibility of clients, this can vary from near full capacity to three-quarters full at other times of the year.

Glandore has been operating in Belfast since 2006, and in that time Michael Kelly says he’s seen gradual growth year-on-year. Even when the downturn hit the city it was able to keep moving forward.

“Belfast has so much going for it. It’s always had to fight hard for what it has. The work of Invest NI in attracting software development, fintech and financial services, Cyber Security and legal back office companies has been immense in recent years, and I think they’ve actually learned a lot from the success of the IDA in the Republic,” he said.

“The costs of doing business in Belfast are considerably lower than in the likes of London and businesses are waking up to that in the wake of Brexit.”

Among those companies to actually first base themselves in Glandore offices in Dublin and Belfast, before finding their own premises, were the US Cyber Security software firm Rapid 7 and financial services outfit Tullett Prebon.

Jamie McCoubery, head of sales with Glandore in the North, explains that the serviced offices option has worked for tech companies of all shapes and sizes over the years.

“Glandore has been the launchpad for US tech corporate giants such as Facebook, Twitter and Dropbox who used our service office spaces in Dublin when they initially came to Ireland. Its these types of businesses we want to attract to Belfast and believe providing this option shows how flexible and business-friendly the city of Belfast is,” McCoubery said.

For his part, Kelly acknowledges that a reduction in the North’s corporation tax rate to 12.5 percent would greatly assist the region’s international competitiveness, he believes the prospect of a hard Brexit has receded.

This article first appeared on The Sunday Business Post on 26.06.2017.

Through flexible workspace options, our serviced offices aim to create space for businesses to grow.

If you would like to learn more about our office options in Belfast, click here. We would love to help with your company’s growth and expansion.