6 Top Tips for Renting Your First Office Space in Newport

Office culture has had a rollercoaster over the last few years. No one needs reminding of what a tumultuous time it’s been for business, but our evolved approach to working life has introduced a few factors to consider when renting an office.

Having a specific, separated space to escape to for work allows that space to encompass just that – work, with no distractions or blurred edges for your home and personal life to bleed into. An office space can ultimately mean the difference between a Zoom meeting in your dressing gown, or your daily step count clocking in at three trips to the fridge.

Renting an office is a great way to get yourself on your feet, especially if you’re just starting out or planning to expand in the future. It can be an exciting part of developing your business, but if you’re finding the process a bit daunting, you’re not alone. 

There’s never been a better time to take advantage of Newport’s business culture. With a thriving creative scene, the Welsh city has seen a surge of start-ups tapping into the local community, finding success off the back of Newport’s infrastructural improvements, flourishing creative industries, and innovative new office buildings popping up all over the place.

Here are six key areas to consider to make the move feel less stressful.

1. Renting v Leasing

First things first – rent or lease? Essentially, the difference here lies in the duration of your stay; a lease requires a longer-term commitment, with most contracts spanning at least 12 months, while a rental agreement could be for as little as 30 days.

It all comes down to your long-term goals. Are you unsure where you’ll be in a few years, or will this office be your base for the foreseeable future? Have a look at your business plan to see what sounds right for you.

2. Budgeting

Budgeting is an incremental part of any good business plan, so this is a good chance to kill two birds with one stone and assess your overall situation with a holistic approach.

Once you’ve determined your budget, have a look at what’s out there. If you’re finding yourself drawn to more pricey spaces, consider what it is that’s attracting you – what exactly do you like? Is there anything you’d be willing to sacrifice in favour of these factors?

3. Office Size

Office size will largely depend on the size of your team. Are you a fledgling company with just a few staff to support, or a seasoned business in need of lots of space? Maybe you’re only just starting out and need to capacity plan enough seats for future employees, or possibly you’re operating solo and don’t want to take on anyone at all. Consider where you’d like to be a year from now, then plan accordingly.

4. Sharing is Caring

If you’re looking to venture into the world of business alone, a shared office space might be the solution. Renting a desk can be a win-win for securing the space, location and amenities you’re after while keeping costs low. Plus, it gives you the chance to mix with other creatives and bounce ideas off each other in a relaxed setting.

5. Location, Location, Location

This is the fun part – finding your dream spot in Newport. This largely comes down to budget, but it’s also important to factor in which areas would best suit your business. Maybe you want to be surrounded by like-minded people in a busy environment, or possibly you’re looking for a quiet corner close to home where you can be on-call for your kids.

At Meanwhile Creative, we also offer office space for those operating outside Newport who might be wanting to grow their business presence in the city. Whatever your business needs, take the time to explore Newport properly and find what feels right. 

6. Facility Checklist

• Security: With all the high-tec equipment sitting stationary overnight, there’s a lot to lose if your space doesn’t include proper security systems. Check if there’s an adequate alarm procedure in place before you commit – you’ll probably be grateful later.

• Wi-Fi: An essential – however nice the space is won’t matter if you can’t get work done.

• Breakout spaces: A cosy corner to debrief during the working day can make all the difference to your mental wellbeing, but can also positively impact your motivation and concentration. Having a breakout space is also a very appealing quality to potential recruits, and existing staff.

• Meeting rooms: Depending on your size and daily operations, it can be handy to have an area dedicated to meeting other businesses or clients, or even as a space for in-house chats to avoid distracting other workers.

• Kitchen: For many, an essential catalyst for getting through the day-to-day grind all boils down to boiling the kettle. Coffee, tea, biscuits, and mid-meeting snacks make all the difference to a hard day’s work, so you want to make sure there are adequate facilities that will satisfy any caffeine cravings throughout the day (or night).

• 24-hour access: In the cocktail of flexible, hybrid, and remote working, businesses are having to be more agile with their approach to office hours. When you’ve got staff to consider, with various working preferences and life commitments, being open to adapting round your team’s schedule is a great way to ensure you’re honouring their work/life balance, and you’ll often see the quality of their output increase if they’re working at a time that best suits them. Ensuring 24/7 access is a great way to get the most out of your office investment.

Kickstarting your company with the right office space is a crucial step in growing your business, and at Meanwhile Creative, we have an affordable selection of Newport offices, studios and desk spaces ready to be snapped up by creatives and techies looking for a flexible working solution and a positive office culture. Whether you’re a freelancer, fledgling company or seasoned entrepreneur, our Newport offices have everything you need to successfully grow your business. Get in touch today to find out more about how we can help you get started.