Page 7 - SME Toolkit: The Star Covid-19 Edition

Wednesday,May27,2020 www.thestar.co.uk
THESTAR 7
PROPERTY
in association with
Tim Bottrill of colloco
He said: “Sheffield offers a lot of things that people are wanting now.
“If you did a straw poll of people in central London, and asked if they wanted a stunning view
Precious office time must change to meet new needs
Offices will remain a fun- damental element of any business in a post-pan- demic world - but must improve because so many people can still work from home, according to Tim Bottrill, of Sheffield prop- erty agent Colloco.
Work environments must meet the new needs of staff, who will be more focused on wellness and health. And they must still be right for employers who need to gath- er the team, motivate people
Landlords want to keep tenants and the best thing struggling firms can do is speak to their landlords or agents, says Tim. ”A conversation goes a long way.”
and instil company values - but may have less time to do it because of rotas, he believes. He said: “What’s the point of going into an unpleasant of- fice? A really good space be- comes more important as a centre of gravity for a busi- ness, a place that employees identify with and a place that leaders can motivate, engen- der morale and bring a busi- ness and workforce together. Yes, more staff will work from home, but this will place more emphasis on the need for a physical space.
“The quality of office
space and of the wider office building or complex becomes more important. In addition to being part of the business’s identity, it gives staff what they can’t get at home.
“People have been work- ing in sub-optimal environ- ments with limited IT and facilities. The office will be a space people come to, to be part of something amazing that offers staff a reason to work for a certain business. A space to collaborate, innovate and grow - and importantly, recruit talent.”
The pandemic has pushed
wellness, health and men- tal health to the top of the agenda as the nation grap- ples with how to come out of lockdown safely, he says.
“I think things like healthy travel will be more important. And being close to opportunities for health and fitness such as a gym and areas for outdoor exercise. You need secure cycle stor- age and changing for people who cycle, run or take a class at lunchtime.
“These things are a frac- tion of the cost of a building but important in attracting
and retaining staff. It also helps landlords attract and retain tenants. It’s expen- sive when you lose people. Productivity drops through the floor when they’re work- ing their notice, finding and training a replacement costs money and productivity takes time to improve.”
CONTACT
Tim Bottrill
colloco (Sheffield) Ltd,
40 Bank Street Sheffield S1 2DS 0114 2993121 07810 865561 tim@colloco.co www.colloco.co
Property expert Tim Bottrill
‘Hot desking’ - staff sharing desks
- will not end. Firms will need less space as more people work from home, and start-ups and freelancers on a shoestring will need them too.
With people going to the office less, longer commutes become more tolerable. More people who work in London might live in Sheffield if they’re only in the office for two
“People need to spend this time thinking. We’re happy to be that sounding board, we work with a lot of Sheffield landlords. The best products sell well.”
Last year, colloco did the most office deals in Sheffield. It was the most ac- tive single branch agency for acqui- sitions and disposals by sq ft, and by number of deals, in CoStar Awards.
PEOPLE WILL SEEK A SAFER LIFESTYLE
Sheffield could benefit as more London firms choose to move north under the influence of staff who want a safer lifestyle, according to property expert Tim Bottrill.
He believes that workers will be keen to avoid the Tube and over- crowded public transport and public spaces after
of the Peak District four or five miles from the office, the chance to cycle easily in to work without the risk of being run over by a bus, and a detached house compared to a two-bed flat with no balcony, I think
that they would all be likely to
say ‘yes’.
Tim Bottrill
the pandemic. Sheffield offers more opportuni- ties for healthy travel - cycling or walking to work - shorter commutes
“The argument for the North becomes
more and more powerful,” he
added. “Wellness and mental health were
all things that we were aware
and cheaper
housing, while
being close to a
national park and all that it offers.
of three months ago.
Covid-19 accelerates them.”
The many benefits of the North all add up...
Office space costs up to £30 sq ft in Sheffield, compared to £70 to £100 sq ft in the capital city, said the property expert.
“Wellness and mental health were all things we were aware of three months ago: Covid-19 accelerates them”