Renting a desk

[princeperch]

Hi all

I am considering entering into a small business venture with a mate. Essentially we take a lease of a top floor of an office (in East London) and kit the place out with desks/chairs/internet connection etc.

There are a few similar operations in the area we are in (and indeed elsewhere) but we would be able to undercut them all - maybe at 30 odd quid a week.for that we would give to a desk chair internet connection, maybe a locker to lock personal items away of an evening etc..

I know of a few creative types (cad designers/ technicians/ people running small businesses) who rent desks. They do so because they don't want to work from home and want to spend time with like minded individuals.

My question is if you were going to rent a desk - what sort of thing would you expect to have included and what would you be happy to pay for?

My business partner suggests things like charging them to use a nespresso machine etc but I think we should chuck one or two coffees in a day. Would you expect a locker to keep your stuff in? Would you want the ability to go in 24/7 or do you think that simply being able to go in 8-7 during the week would be ok?

The office is round the corner from my flat so I could go in at the weekend if needs be but just trying to gauge how much of a hassle it will be to run the thing...

Thoughts/ abuse/ details of experiences would be appreciated..

[mikef]

Internet with at least 1MB upload speed to back work up to cloud
Really decent toilets (a dealbreaker for me!)
Strong 3G, preferably 4G, signal
Lockable desk pedestal
Rules about noise (don't want others playing music when on a call)
Kitchen area (and rules about smelly food in the office)
Fridge that's cleaned out once a week
Expresso

Edited to add - and I'd pay extra for access to a colour laserjet printer, preferably A3

Edited by mikef on Sunday 3rd August 21:23

[pherlopolus]

A sound proof small cubicle for telephone calls that shouldn't be overheard, depending on office size I would probably want pull printing and would want it charged by pin usage. Fast internet upload essential

[Bullett]

Fast reliable internet
24x7 access
Bookable meeting rooms
Reception/admin services option

[princeperch]

thanks for the thoughts so far.

at aroudn 30 quid a week we would be at the cheaper end of the market, so striking the balance between having facilities such as printing on demand/silent phone booths will have to be given some thought...

30 quid a week should be a level to gain interest I would imagine. it would cost 20 a month just to have a decent internet connection at home...

[scottri]

Dunno how these things work but if i was to consider it i'd be wanting:

Prioritised VoIP Traffic.
Couple of large monitors, keyboard and mouse so that i wasn't stuck typing on my laptop.
Good chair.
Kitchen/Coffee facilities - i think milk would need to be provided but wouldn't be bothered about bringing my own coffee etc.
Vending machine would be handy.
Access to some basic stationary, esp if no stores are close by selling things. (Wouldn't object to paying)
Meeting room / somewhere to make private/confidential calls. (chargeable meeting room)
I'd also want to know what levels of support and resilience is in place for the internet connection.

Edited by scottri on Monday 4th August 11:43

[jammy_basturd]

princeperch said:

thanks for the thoughts so far.

at aroudn 30 quid a week we would be at the cheaper end of the market, so striking the balance between having facilities such as printing on demand/silent phone booths will have to be given some thought...

30 quid a week should be a level to gain interest I would imagine. it would cost 20 a month just to have a decent internet connection at home...

Put an advert up for a couple of days on one of the many co-working websites to see what response you get. You could even iterate different versions of your advert, offering differing amounts of services to see which is the most popular.

[nyt]

My tuppence worth:

- Aircon.

- Laptop locks so that you can step away to the toilet or wherever (http://www.amazon.co.uk/NEWLink-Barrel-Laptop-Security-Cable/dp/B00126I3NM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1407149817&sr=8-1&keywords=laptop+lock)

- Thorough cleaning every evening. Some people leave their workspace in a real mess

- A kitchen/communal area for chatting. Perhaps selling snacks if there's nowhere nearby.

- A decent colour laser printer (happy to pay for prints)

- A Scanner

- (possibly) a photocopier - again happy to pay.

[jonnydm]

Separate informal area for chatting / meetings etc that can be booked perhaps at extra cost if you want exclusive use. Should be a way of doing one of those perspex divided areas on the cheap.

A/C + heating would be a bonus as plenty of these studio type places don't have.

Water machine and kettle should probably included. Fair enough to have a vending machine though.

[surveyor]

A landlord who will allow you to sublet/license is the first thing you need. Your use would contravene most leases.

[toon10]

An engineering company I worked for did a similar thing. Basically they had a large 2 story building which they sectioned off into metal cages of various sizes and rented them out. Each cage had a lock, desks, PC's and an internet connection. There was a kitchen area which they had to stock themselves but a microwave, kettle and water machine were made available to them. We gave them free IT support using the company IT technicians, saving them having to hire IT staff or worry about servers, data backups, etc.

If I were looking to rent out office space I'd be looking at a multi function printing device and some IT support for data backup, AV, etc.

[sideways sid]

At this price, I would want/expect:
Aircon
Wifi
Plenty of power sockets
Good lighting
Clean desk environment and toilets
24/7 access - with clarity on when cleaners will visit.
'presentable' area to invite guests to
Cooled water and a supply of plastic cups

At this price, I would not expect, but would be happy to be offered at a cost:
Stationary
Printing
Locker
Meeting space / rooms
LAN/backup server space
Hot drinks & biscuits
Parking / Loading space
Projectors and IT equipment

If there are plenty of cafes/sandwich shops etc nearby, I wouldn't bother offering food but perhaps introduce some kind of loyalty scheme with a vendor nearby.

Also, consider security and insurance if you're keeping people's stuff overnight

If you're on the Overground / DLR, pm me when desks are available as I might take one.

[BoRED S2upid]

You can make a profit from doing this at£30 a week in London? I would have thought with all your costs: Decent Internet connection, rent, rates, security, insurance(s), desks, printers, supplies, cleaners etc... your going to have to be renting a lot of desks to make a profit.

[princeperch]

surveyor said:

A landlord who will allow you to sublet/license is the first thing you need. Your use would contravene most leases.

the landlord is on board

[princeperch]

sideways sid said:

At this price, I would want/expect:
Aircon
Wifi
Plenty of power sockets
Good lighting
Clean desk environment and toilets
24/7 access - with clarity on when cleaners will visit.
'presentable' area to invite guests to
Cooled water and a supply of plastic cups

At this price, I would not expect, but would be happy to be offered at a cost:
Stationary
Printing
Locker
Meeting space / rooms
LAN/backup server space
Hot drinks & biscuits
Parking / Loading space
Projectors and IT equipment

If there are plenty of cafes/sandwich shops etc nearby, I wouldn't bother offering food but perhaps introduce some kind of loyalty scheme with a vendor nearby.

Also, consider security and insurance if you're keeping people's stuff overnight

If you're on the Overground / DLR, pm me when desks are available as I might take one.

thanks

yes the office will be on the overground near hackney wick so if we can get it off the ground ill drop you a line...