WorkWell invests half a million pounds to redevelop Brookfield House 

Tailored office providers, WorkWell, is celebrating 50% occupancy pre-let, following a £500,000 investment to redevelop the Leeds-based 18-century manor. 

Purchased by the Corrigan family in 2002, Brookfield House has been the home to Leeds-based businesses for the last 21 years. Currently undergoing an extensive renovation, the office space is set to open in September 2023 and is already signing up new customers ahead of its launch.

Located next to Brookfield Court on Selby Road, the renovation of Brookfield House will create access between the two impressive red-brick office buildings, and will feature new office space, an open plan kitchen, a new reception and additional meeting space including two new meeting rooms and a 16-person boardroom available to the public for corporate bookings.

Oliver Corrigan, Managing Director at WorkWell, said: “Brookfield House has proudly been a part of the WorkWell portfolio for many years, and my family has personally farmed the area for 50 plus years, so we’re thrilled to be able to create a greater future for the building while respecting its incredible past.

“At WorkWell we’re proud to offer a different way of working with Leeds businesses. Our approach is not just about offering an office space with four walls. Each office park within our portfolio perfectly balances aesthetics with functionality, to create a purpose-designed office space which aligns with our member’s company values and purpose.”

Designed by northern-based creatives, Ekho Studio, the former manor house will combine impressive aesthetics with performance-enhancing technology and will feature 9,000 square feet of workable space set amongst 100 acres of accessible countryside.

To book a viewing of Brookfield House, visit our contact us page: https://info.workwelloffices.com/contact-us 

Holding on to your best employees: Why it’s important

Holding on to your best employeesWhile management are focusing  on data, charts and profit margins to determine the company’s success, they often overlook the main factor behind that success — the employees. The world of business is resplendent with examples of companies who lose their top staff for short-term financial gain. But they pay for it in the long term. Keeping your best employees is paramount, and here’s how
you can achieve it.

Keeping Cool in the Summer

Keeping cool at work in the summerSummer is just around the corner and that means it’s time to flip that switch and set your air conditioning to cool. If you’re already lucky enough to work in serviced offices with top of the range air conditioning systems like those at Carrwood Park, then stick to these guide lines to keep your working environment cool in those sweltering summer months. Read More about Keeping Cool in the Summer

Welcome to the Carrwood Park blog

We’ve set up this blog to share the kind of information that our clients ask us about every day.
Choosing the right space in which to work and hold meetings is vital. It can be the difference between having a happy, productive and creative team or a team that is uninspired, tired and bored. It can be the difference between winning a client or them choosing another company that was easier to get to or looked more professional and established.

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Read More about Welcome to the Carrwood Park blog

Networking in Leeds? A guide on how to run the perfect event

Networking_in_Leeds

Running a great Networking Event can be a struggle for even the most seasoned organiser. We host and see a large number of networking events at Carrwood Park Business Centre in our leeds meeting rooms, so we have the opportunity to see what works and what doesn’t. Here we will try to educate you by refering to what we have seen in our centres.

Read More about Networking in Leeds? A guide on how to run the perfect event

6 Benefits of Choosing Serviced Office Space

For SMEs, the costs associated with leasing and refurbishing their own offices are often prohibitive. Serviced offices, where businesses have an executive suite within a large business unit, give business owners all the benefits of a modern and clean office environment, without all the management costs or initial outlay in furniture and fittings.

Offices that create an outstanding environment should cater to your specific needs whilst offering flexibility and operational support. This can allow you time and space to focus on running and developing your business more effectively and is highly beneficial to your business culture and team productivity.

Here are five business benefits of a serviced office that you might not have considered:

1. A carefully curated workspace – and its facilities

Your team requires more than a room, it needs an effective working environment – the benefits of a workspace specifically designed to inspire and support your team is essential for reaching your business goals and potential.

The WorkWell approach focuses on creating such an environment, providing highly productive workspaces that are deliberately designed around excelling best practices and workplace strategies. The services provided, from bookable meeting rooms to open-plan break-out spaces and a professionally manned reception desk, are intentionally created to enhance creativity, collaboration, and output.

This, combined with the convenient out-of-town location, ample accessible parking, and rural outside space, means WorkWell offices are ideally placed to offer all the advantages of a carefully curated workspace and the delivery of an exceptional level of service.

 2. Flexibility

Serviced offices offer unparalleled flexibility both in terms of the amount of space you require, the length of time you wish to stay, and overall agreement.

Customer centricity is the key driver for serviced offices, meaning your space can be flexed based on your business needs, including being expanded or reduced in size based on accessibility and the number of staff.

At WorkWell, we offer full consultancy, tailor-made workspace solutions to accommodate your evolving business, and with flexible lease periods, you can choose to adapt as and when your business needs dictate, without being restricted by lengthy contracts or square footage.

3. One all-inclusive fee

With a simple pricing structure for rental fees and with utilities included, serviced offices are incredibly cost-effective. As a business, you will only have one monthly fee, so you can continue to work in confidence without the surprise of unexpected costs:

The overall fee will usually depend on:

  • The size and quality of the space
  • The services and facilities on offer to your business
  • The city or town in which the building is located
  • If the space is in a desirable part of town (near transport centres or cultural hubs for example)

 4. Enhanced professional images

Your company’s image is hugely important. Your office branding, address, the standard of meeting rooms, and the availability of areas in which to welcome clients, all convey a professional image and help form a good overall perception of your business.

A professional workspace can help build trust and creditability and can lead to important long-term business relationships, as well as attracting talent to your company. This is proven by the success of the longstanding members who have continued to choose WorkWell Offices as their business base.

5. Community and networking

Serviced offices provide a valuable opportunity to network and work in a community of like-minded individuals. Areas, such as communal outdoor and open-plan spaces enable members from different businesses and industries to network, opening the possibility of finding shared business interests, opportunities, and collaboration.

At WorkWell, members have access to collective areas and communal spaces, as well as an active calendar of free social events organised by WorkWell and hosted within the landscaped grounds and workspace environment.

6. Move in and Start Working

Serviced offices allow businesses to simply move in and start work straight away. In contrast, setting up a new office, can be a lengthy process. From finding the right location to agreeing on the lease, through to decorating and furnishing, which all takes time. We cut all of that out, and provide a turnkey solution.

To access more information, or if you wish to discuss your workspace requirements, contact sales@workwelloffices.com

How a Serviced Office can benefit culture in a SMB

For a start up company, creating an attractive culture within the company is important for both attracting talent to work there, and then subsequently keeping that talent with you to help develop the business.And if you’re running a start up, it’s likely you’ll attract that talent by checking the boxes on a checklist offering freedom, flexibility and perks to all the members of your team.But what if the office space you have chosen to work in doesn’t give you the freedom to provide these things?If you’re lumbered with a large office space you’ve bought or rented, then you’re not going to have enough flexibility to create the right kind of start up culture you need to foster a winning team. Serviced offices offer the best solution, as they go hand in hand with a start up business, only growing as and when the company does.

So what’s on this “checklist” of start up culture? And how can serviced offices help you check the box for each element?

1) Getting the right people for the job – it’s absolutely essential you attract the most talented people for the job, and that you keep them. Serviced offices will mean that you can literally focus 100% on choosing the right business team you need. All maintenance, reception, security and other considerations are taken care of by the serviced office provider!

2) Creating a good connection between team members – organising group activities, days out and team-building exercises is made all the easier when you don’t have to worry about the day-to-day running of the office. With all the bases covered at all times, you’re free to foster a really cordial relationship between each member of your team.

3) Giving employees the opportunity to develop – with the myriad of options available in serviced offices, you needn’t have your employees there all day every day chained to their workstations. Thanks to hot desks, virtual office services and flexible meeting rooms, employees can have the freedom they so desire to get their work done.

4) Create an enjoyable and affable atmosphere in which to work – serviced offices like those at Carrwood Park and Brookfield Court provide a light, spacious, free and open space in which to work, all surrounded by stunning grounds and gardens. They are the kind of places people look forward to going to work at.

5) Attractive perks – comfy workspace, flexible times and holidays, free snacks/meals, subsidized gym membership; just some of the perks you could offer which are made easier by the huge range of amenities available in and around serviced office parks.

So whichever way you look at it, it makes sense to choose serviced offices when running a start up company. The road to success for a start up is fret with risk and difficulties, and it’s a well-known fact that only flexibility and adaptability can shepherd the company out of the darkness and into the light! Serviced offices have these qualities in spades – take the space you need for now, and expand your usage as you grow. You can’t ask for a better deal.

Are you running a start up in Carrwood Park? Leave your comments and tell us how serviced offices are helping you to build your own ideal start up culture within your company.

 

Ways to make your day at work healthier

You might think there’s only so much that working in an office eight hours a day can do to your health – but you’re wrong. Fortunately, there are several great ways to make each working day a lot healthier.
 
1) Start with your workstation
 
A correctly laid out workstation is the perfect starting point to making your day healthier. Position your chair to give you optimum comfort and posture, and “scan” yourself periodically to see if you’re slouching or twisting your torso. Also, position screens and lights in places where they won’t irritate your eyes, keeping things like your phone within easy reach so you don’t have to twist or jerk your body to reach them.
 

2) Liberate yourself from clutter

Each day, take half an hour or so to tidy your desk, wipe down the keyboard and other surfaces, and organise your papers. This will help you feel more motivated and productive when going into your next set of tasks.

3) Optimise the surrounding environment

Studies in the US show that office workers can perform anywhere between 10 and 25 percent better on mental function when they have a decent view from the window. Furthermore, a study at Washington University found that plants helped to reduce stress in windowless office spaces. Overall, plenty of natural light, plant life, a nice view and some fresh air will make a positive difference to employee health.

4) Don’t underestimate the value of going green

Some plants, such as spider plants, peace lilies and Goosefoot plants can actually absorb common pollutants in offices, including those from carpets, paint, MDF and anti-stain treated fabrics. In addition to  literally greening up your space with plants, you should also ensure you switch off any electronics you’re not using. There is some evidence that electromagnetic fields from certain devices can be connected to insomnia, headaches and anxiety.

5) Remind yourself that there’s life outside of work

The ancient Chinese art of Feng Shui teaches us that the position of objects in our space will directly affect the flow of positive energy. One belief is that placing something personal that reminds you of life outside work, like a photo, on the left hand side of your desk can be a real boon to productivity. Try it out and see for yourself.

6) Finally, give your eyes, and your body, a break

Sitting in your chair all day is doing you no favours. Long-term research has shown that those sitting over 6 hours a day are at significantly higher risk of health problems than those who sit less than 3 hours. Take a break every 20/30 minutes and get up to walk around. As for your eyes, take an extra minute every now and then to focus on something far away from your desk, or out of the window. Alternatively, try rolling your eyes to exercise them, or cup your hands over your eyes to block out the light and let your eyes rest for just a moment or two.

Do you have any other useful ideas for staying healthy in an office job? Share them with us!