Gloucestershire is the perfect blend of beautiful countryside and bustling towns. With Cheltenham voted the best place to live in the South West by the Sunday Times, it’s no wonder that the property market is booming. If you’re looking to expand or relocate your business, then Gloucestershire offers a great way of life for everyone.
Here at Simon Long Removals Gloucestershire, we understand moving your business to Gloucestershire can be an incredibly daunting prospect and you might not know how to begin; that’s why we’ve written this guide packed with handy tips.
Investigate business support services
For those looking to move their company to Gloucestershire, there are plenty of business support services available. Whether you’re just starting out or you want to expand your reach, The Growth Hub is an invaluable resource for local businesses. It offers workshops, networking opportunities, online resources, mentorship and one-to-one advice, all absolutely free of charge. With their help, you can launch, grow and maximise the potential of your business – simply complete their online registration form to arrange a discovery meeting.
Find the right location
The right location can make or break a business, so it’s essential to carefully consider what you’re looking for in your new premises.
Would you like to take advantage of the footfall in a busy market town like Cheltenham? Or are you looking to base your business in a more rural area? Carefully weigh up the pros and cons of each commercial property that you view and evaluate just why you’re moving your business in the first place. Are you looking to cut operating costs by moving to cheaper premises? Or do you want to expand and invest in a flashier, larger space?
Budget appropriately
Moving a business can be incredibly expensive and, besides the obvious fees, there are several hidden costs you may have forgotten about, such as:
- Signage
- Redecoration
- New promotional materials
- Legal fees
- Dilapidation costs
- Commercial storage (if required)
- Fit-out costs
- Lost workplace productivity
- Removal fees
- Insurance
- Building surveys
With so much to keep track of, it can be all too easy for costs to mount up. Ensure you calculate a strict budget at the start of the process and regularly check in to ensure you’re sticking to it.
Involve your employees in the move
Your employees will be the ones most affected by a commercial relocation, so don’t keep them in the dark on your plans. It’s vital to discuss in depth with them how they’ll be affected by a potential move; are they able to commute or would they need to relocate?
Create a timetable
To keep your employees and customers happy, it’s crucial that you create a thorough timeline for when you can expect your move to be completed, regularly liaising with the relevant professionals and a trusted removals company to ensure you’re on track. By sticking to a strict deadline, you maximise productivity and minimise business downtime.
Notify the relevant people
While it’s second nature to inform all your customers about an impending move, there are several official bodies that you must remember to notify – otherwise, you risk having vital documentation and bills sent to your old address. These include:
- HMRC
- Companies House
- Local council
- Any databases or directories
- Utility companies
- Any stakeholders
- Insurance companies
- Suppliers and vendors
- Web hosting company
Market this change
To keep your existing customer base and perhaps recruit a few new clients too, it’s important to market your relocation, so remember to update your website, social media and Google business profiles.
Try and spread the word to inform as many people as possible about the change. What local businesses nearby could you collaborate with? Are there any large community Facebook groups where you can promote your services? Think outside the box and market your move in the most effective and creative ways possible.
Choose a reliable removals company
A commercial relocation can be incredibly stressful, but when you employ a trusted local removal company like Simon Long Removals Gloucestershire, you’ll find that the process goes a lot smoother. We offer a complete door-to-door service and can handle all the packing and loading for you so that you can focus on what’s important. Plus, we’ll work around your timeline to accommodate any last-minute changes or unforeseen circumstances.
If you need help moving your business to Gloucestershire, Simon Long Removals Gloucestershire are the people to call. For more than 30 years, we’ve been supporting business owners across the region with a comprehensive range of removals services. Our BAR-accredited experts can help to co-ordinate even the most complex moves – contact us today to get a new quote.