Business space in Essex
Business space in Essex
With many businesses opting to downsize or looking for a more flexible space, managed business centres are becoming a great choice, giving the opportunity to grow within the space. We explore some of the options available to businesses in Essex.
There are multiple business centres in and around Essex, offering different types of offices and workspaces, as well as a range of facilities, for growing businesses to use.
Ongar business centre, Chipping
The Ongar business centre (OBC), formerly known as the Essex Technology and Innovation Centre (ETIC), is located in Chipping Ongar in the west of Essex, positioned near key business hubs of Brentwood, Chelmsford and Epping.
The centre offers business workspaces and meeting rooms to small and mid-sized enterprises (SMEs), start-ups and entrepreneurs. There are 30 managed workspaces offices in the centre, from 14 to 57 sq metres , with the rate per sq. foot varying between £30 and £35.
Offered to let on a flexible or competitive term, the centre also offers virtual tenancy, acting as a postal address for online tenants, and includes post forwarding and discounted meeting room usage.
With an easy in/ out licence, there is no long-term commitment or short-term lease at OBC, and a single monthly fee covers rent, power charges, lighting, heating, and kitchen facilities. There are 3 meeting rooms available for hire by the day or half-day, which include large screens, whiteboards, and free access to Wi-Fi.
As well as a free onsite car park, the centre is located a short walk away from bus stops. The buses provide direct routes to Chelmsford, Shenfield, Kelvedon Hatch, and Writtle. There are also train stations located approximately 10 miles from the centre, the closest of these being Epping Underground – providing direct access to London Liverpool Street.
OBC currently has 28 tenants and 15 virtual office tenants, a few of these include Freeman & Co, Aspen Woolf and ASL Ltd.
Victoria House, Chelmsford
Victoria House business centre by Regus in Chelmsford offers private offices, coworking desks and meeting rooms open to members 24 hours a day.
Victoria House has 42 private offices including an office space option. These spaces are kitted out with high-quality furniture and include utilities and services with a friendly, on-site support team in the centre. The custom offices offer a range of storage options, collaboration and focus spaces, and give tenants the freedom to furnish and accessorise however they wish. Regus charges £190 per month, per person for these private offices.
There are also 10 co-working desks in the centre, including day offices and office memberships. The day offices can be booked while on the move, via their bookings app, and accommodate teams of all sizes. These offices include business-grade Wi-fi and ergonomic furniture. Office memberships offer fully furnished spaces, as well as services, access to lounges, and break-out areas. Regus charges £178 per month, per person for the use of co-working desks.
Regus has 3 meeting rooms that cost £84 per month based on 24-month contracts.
As well as a range of office spaces, this five-storey building has break-out areas for tenants to use at their leisure, as well as 24-hour CCTV and disabled facilities. The centre is fitted with large windows, suspended ceilings and is located near the town centre and rail station. There is a hotel positioned next door to the centre, that can be used by clients and visitors, as well as near-by pubs, shops, and restaurants.
Regus’ flexible layout, customisable workspaces, professional receptionists, and secure, business-grade IT infrastructure makes the centre a great option for small businesses to work and expand.
Greenway Business Centre, Harlow
A final example of business centres in and around Essex is Greenway Business Centre, in Harlow. It is located close to Harlow town station and just 20 minutes from Stansted Airport.
The centre offers a range of workspaces, including 60 offices, studios, and workshops to rent, all located in a secure, landscaped environment. Meeting rooms and virtual offices are also available.
Greenway’s licence agreement provides small and medium-sized businesses the freedom to move or leave at any time with just 1 months’ notice, and their friendly and professional centre management team is always on hand to provide support to customers.
The onsite offices provide high-speed fibre internet, 24-hour CCTV, and high-quality interiors, as well as a reward scheme for customers. Free parking is provided, as well as photocopying, shredding, mail handling and telephone answering and call forwarding all provided.
Greenway has 3 types of meeting rooms: Garden rooms, Gibberd rooms and Gibberd Garden rooms. These light, spacious, and modern rooms can accommodate up to 40 people at a time and are equipped with audio-visual equipment. They offer free Wi-fi, a variety of catering options – including the onsite Ora Café – and free onsite parking. The rooms are available to book and use during the centre’s business hours (8.30 am – 5.30 pm).
The meeting rooms can be set up in a variety of styles, including classroom and theatre styles, depending on the preference of the customer.
The Garden or Gibberd meeting rooms can be booked from £30 - £150, depending on the length of use, and the Gibberd Garden rooms range from £120 - £200, depending on the length of use.
Greenway’s virtual offices allow customers to work from home professionally, and offer call answering for £85 per month, call forwarding for £20 per month, and mailing services for £50 per month. As well as free parking, a discounted rate for meeting rooms and the display of own company names on packages. The virtual offices run on a short term, monthly contract – making it easy for customers to leave at any time.
The centre has introduced a VoIP system, which is a call service for customers. Monthly payments start at £17.95 per month and include a plug-in system allowing customers to take calls via handsets, desktops or the mobile app. As well as 1000 inclusive minutes to UK numbers, simple monthly invoicing, the freedom to take the telephone service on the go, and much more.
Greenway Business Centre also offers bike stands, onsite showers, printing and postal services and reception services.
