green office

5 Top Tips to a Greener Office

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Many businesses across the globe have started to take sustainability more seriously. Employees feel better working for a company that cares, and customers will appreciate this too.
During this blog I will be listing some small changes that you could make to your office that could make all the difference over time, by making it greener. These are ways by which you can support the restoration of our planet daily.

Go paperless

A good first step towards sustainability is digitalisation. This means making that shift from paper to cloud-based file storage. This will inevitably reduce your company’s paper wastage. And the more companies that do this, the less demand there will be for deforestation. It’s all about the accumulative effect.

Did you know that our parent company, WestWon, has been a paperless company for nearly a decade now? We will only use paper if necessary, and if we do, you can be assured that it is 100% recycled. For example, the WestWon Woodland certificates are made from 100% recycled materials.

The majority of our files and documents are uploaded onto our custom-built CRM system, as well as cloud-based software. This has not only contributed positively to the environment but has also saved us a lot of space and money over the years! As you are probably aware, some offices will have whole rooms dedicated to the storage of their paper documents. But, by converting to cloud-based file storage, you can put this space to better use, and help save the planet!

Restrooms

Paper towels are so 2008. Upgrade to hand dryers, or even have roller towels installed. This will again reduce your company’s demand in paper usage.

Fix that leaking tap! Did you know having leaking tap dripping per second can waste up to 25 litres of water a day?

Utilities

Save energy and ultimately cut down on your utility overheads by investing in LED lighting and solar power sources.

LED lighting is 50% more efficient than your standard lighting. LED bulbs emit less heat, provide more light, and cost less! These bulbs also have a longer lifespan, this means fewer bulbs and less waste and fewer expenses. There is not much reason to remain with conventional lighting. Here at Fit Out Finance our offices are fully fitted with LED lighting. This is just another way by which we are contributing to the health of our planet.

Solar panels are the most sustainable energy source of the renewable energy options. This is because the energy manifests in two forms. These being heat and light. But we understand that solar panels can be an expensive upfront cost, that is why we believe leasing is the best route for minimal harm to your cash flow. You can read more on solar panel leasing for your business here.

Recycle

Recycling is key to the restoration of planet. The UK alone, generated a whopping 37.2 million tonnes of commercial and industrial waste back in 2019. We can all help reduce these figures year by year by recycling at both work and home. Here at Fit Out Finance we have equipped each floor of our office with recycling bins. This has encouraged our team to recycle during the workday as well as at home.

Office plants

You can literally make a greener office through the use of plant decor. However, office plants not only add to the atmosphere of the office, but they also provide oxygen to the air that your employees breathe. This is a great way to improve your office’s air quality whilst also adding to the aesthetic of the workplace.

Contact Us

Here at Fit Out Finance, we can help make your office more environmentally friendly without compromising a healthy cash flow. Give us a call today on 01494 506 385. Or, send an email to hello@fitout.finance to find out more about how we can help finance your greener office.

Co-working space

What is a co-working space?

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What is a co-working space?

A co-working space is a place where freelancers can come together to work in a traditional work environment. The co-working space concept came about in 2005. People realised that there was a gap in the market for a communal office space for independent workers. So, by paying a daily, weekly or monthly fee, independent workers can combat isolation and the distractions that come with working from home.

 

But why not just work from home?

As many that work from home will say that they feel less focused in a home environment. Whilst at home, your mind associates where you are with rest. Therefore, it is important for many to have a contrast in spaces for different purposes.

Not to mention, humans are social creatures. And a communal office offers people the daily social interaction that you would find in a regular office. These workplaces create community whilst also allowing networking. So, co-working spaces can potentially lead to valuable professional relationships too.

Despite the concept being introduced in the early 00s, co-working spaces have become more prevalent over the past decade.

 

Who else can use these spaces?

Covid-19 forced many into a virtual realm through which many have chosen to remain. Therefore, as you could probably imagine, the amount of remote and hybrid workers has surged since then. But this doesn’t mean that they won’t go days without missing a conventional work environment. So, co-working spaces are perfect for those that are feeling nostalgic over an office environment! So, with many co-working spaces offering daily charges, this is the perfect remedy for remote workers craving socialisation or just a distraction free zone as and when they feel like it!

An appealing atmosphere is vital

It is crucial that a co-working space has an attractive aesthetic that people will be motivated by and look forward to spending their working days in. Additionally, they need to be flexible spaces that cater to a variety of needs. So, whether that’s meeting rooms, quiet areas, or networking zones. It needs to be a place that surpasses a home office and that people want to return to.

 

Contact Us

Co-working spaces are an innovative way to adapt to the increase in remote working. Additionally, they are a fantastic way to meet the demands of freelancers.

Are you looking to start-up a coworking space? Or perhaps you are just looking to revamp a current co-working that you manage?

Either way, we have financed hundreds of furniture and fit outs requirements of businesses across the nation. So, it’s safe to say that we know our stuff when it comes to fit outs. Give us a call today to find out more about how we can help you get started 01494 506 385. Alternatively, send us an email to hello@fitout.finance and a member of our friendly team will get back to you shortly! You can also see more over on our LinkedIn page.

Clerkenwell Design Week

Clerkenwell Design Week 2022

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What is Clerkenwell Design Week?

Essentially, it is a busy design festival, which will be held over a 3-day period. It currently consists of 10 exhibition venues and over 150 showrooms, meaning you are spoilt for choice! One of the biggest design events of the year, it is not one to be missed. According to the Clerkenwell Design Week’s website the special thing about Clerkenwell is that they are home to more creative companies and architects per square mile than anywhere else on the planet! This makes it one of the most important design cores for people to flock to each year. Therefore, this year’s design week will be showcasing its strong and diverse community. There will be both UK and international based brands there to connect with.

They have 8 main areas they cover over on their website. These include experiences such as:

  • Exhibition venues
  • Showrooms
  • Installations
  • Conversations at Clerkenwell
  • Programme
  • Food & Drink

When and where is it held?

The Clerkenwell Design Week will be held over a 3-day period, on the 24th-26th of May. Fit Out Finance will be attending all three days. It is being held in Clerkenwell, a small area in London, and is celebrating its 13th year this week. We are extremely excited for it to be held again, as it’s the first time it has been held since the pandemic. In 2019 there was over 300 exhibiting brands as well as over 34,185 attendees. Our company Fit Out Finance was not set up in 2019, so we cannot wait to enter the week as a fresh new business!

How to get in touch with us on the day

Fit Out Finance will be attending the show on all 3 days. This means we will be out of the office. However, we will be answering emails and picking up your calls, so please still get in touch! If you would like to contact us on the day, then please call us on our mobiles (seen below) or our individual emails (also see below). We will be wandering around the show most days, so if you are there, make sure you drop us a call and let us know, it would be great to see as many of you there as possible! If you would like to set up a quick meeting too, then again please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Hope to see you there!

Tracey’s contact details:

Tracey.johnson@fitout.finance

07714 488106

Freya’s contact details:

Freya.holliman@fitout.finance

07842 309407

office fit out categories

What type of office fit out matches my needs?

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A good place to start when planning for your office fit out is identifying the office fit out category that matches your needs best.

You might be wondering what we mean by ‘category’ of office fit out. So, let’s break them down. There are 3 main categories when looking at office fit outs. Throughout this blog, I will be listing the categories and what elements are generally included in each.

The office fit out categories

CAT A

This is the most basic type of office fit out. This type is usually appointed by a landlord who wants to sell on to prospective tenants as opposed to an actual business owner looking to create an office space for their employees.

CAT A fit outs usually provide the following:

  • Raised floors and dropped ceilings
  • Basic internal finishes
  • Basic electrical and mechanical services
  • Air-conditioning and ventilation (HVAC)
  • Fitted smoke and fire alarms, as well as carbon monoxide detectors
  • Lavatories

Therefore, these types of fit outs aren’t furnished and only provide the bare necessities that set the foundation for a fully flourished workspace. This will then require the next step for an office designer to come in and work on the furnishings of the office.

 

CAT A+

This is a relatively new category that is perceived as the happy medium between CAT A and CAT B fit outs. It merges elements from both categories making it a more generous setup alternative for landlords to provide their tenants.

In addition to the CAT A elements listed above, the features of this category usually include:

  • Desks and workstations
  • Kitchen facilities
  • Basic interior decor
  • Breakout spaces

 

CAT B

This is the most bespoke category of all 3. And usually undertaken by the tenant/ business owner. This is the process that fully shapes the workspace tailored to your end vision. Therefore, this is the stage which allows you to inject your brand image into the work environment, enabling you to incorporate brand values and additional employee needs/wants.

As well as the CAT A+ elements, CAT B features can include:

 

  • Office furniture
  • Meeting/ conference rooms
  • Company branding
  • Partitioning
  • Floor finishing
  • IT Equipment
  • Reception area

 

With a CAT B fit out, it allows you to cater to the needs of your employees. You might be surprised of the outcome of investing into a further developed and personalised fit out. And as the result of an inviting and aesthetically pleasing workspace, you will most likely see a boost in employee productivity and morale.

Contact Us

If you would like to be advised on which office fit out category will suit your needs the most, please don’t hesitate to get in contact with a member of our team on 01494 506 385. Alternatively, head over to our contact page and fill in the form outlining your needs and we’d be happy to help!

post pandemic

Positive post pandemic practices

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The past few years for most companies have been a difficult time. Without sounding too negative, businesses cash flows were almost non-existent. People also had to adapt to a new way of working. Those who were spending 5 days a week in the office were forced to stay at home and communicate with their colleagues via zoom or teams calls. This made everyone a little nervous about what the future had in store. However, there are some positives that have come about because of the pandemic. Many of these have been in the way we now work, which is what will be discussed in this blog. If you would like more information on positive post pandemic practices, then keep reading.

Social spaces

Since the pandemic, a new office culture has been born. Post pandemic, many employers have chosen to introduce interactive spaces such as breakout areas. People believe this is a new-found appreciation and almost celebration of being able to socialise again after being secluded for months on end. This is a fun and innovative way by which companies are bouncing back from the pandemic and welcoming employees back into the office. Read more about office social spaces here.

Covid-19 and Improved Hygiene

The emphasis on practicing good hygiene has enhanced as a whole ever since Covid-19 hit. And as a result workplaces have followed in taking these measures. Many workplaces have now implemented cleaning stations. Along with regular cleaning routines to ensure all surfaces are kept sanitary. Others have also had dividers installed to individual workspaces, whilst employers encourage staff to maintain personal cleanliness. It is now common to have posters and signs reminding staff of regular hand-washing.

Why leasing is the best form of finance after the pandemic

There are several reasons why leasing is the best finance option for after the pandemic. Firstly, you have flexible rental terms between 1 and 5 years, meaning that with the uncertainty of cash flow, flexibility is crucial. Leasing also makes your monthly budgeting easier, which means that you won’t compromise your project due to budget constraints. You can also preserve existing lines of credit. Therefore, if you used up a bank facility in the pandemic, you won’t have to use up your main or only form of finance.

Contact Us

If you would like more information on any more positive post pandemic practices, then head over to our contact page to speak to a member of our team. Additionally, if you would like to talk to us over the phone then please call 01494 506 385 or email us on hello@fitout.finance. You can also see more over on our LinkedIn page.

What makes a retail shop fit out beneficial

What makes a retail shop fit out beneficial?

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Retail shop fit outs can make all the difference to your business. It’s the first thing your customers will notice when they walk through the door. Making sure that the first impression is a good one is so important for a few different reasons, many of which will be discussed later in this blog. The layout of your shop plays a key part in this. There are several types of layout types that you can implement in your shop. Lighting also plays a key part in this, again which will be discussed below. If you would like more information on what makes a retail shop fit out beneficial, then keep on reading.

Importance of a financing your fit out

There are several reasons as to why you should finance your fit out. They include significant tax benefits for you and your business as well as flexible rental terms over a one-to-five-year period. You are also able to pay for the project over its useful life, as paying all your costs upfront can be difficult. Additionally, you can preserve existing lines of credit. Leasing makes monthly budgeting easier, so that you don’t have to compromise your interior project due to budget constraints.

Different layout types in the retail sector

There are so many different types of store layout, but the 4 that will be discussed in this blog are a forced path store layout and a loop store layout (also known as the racetrack layout). Also included is a diagonal store layout and a free flow store layout.

Forced path store layout

This layout encourages the customer to wander around the whole of the store on a pre-determined route. This maximises the number of products the customer sees and may therefore lead them to making unplanned purchases. However, it could have an undesired effect as the customer may get agitated if they have a product in mind already, or time constraints.

Loop store layout

This type of layout is also known as the racetrack layout. It guides the customer round a quick and simple route, almost fast tracking them round the store. This will be beneficial when opening a shop that has a wide range of products, as well as allowing you to use branding and carefully placed boundaries to keep the customers on track.

Diagonal store layout

A diagonal store layout can increase better security for your shop, as the checkout area is at the front, with a better eyeline. However, the narrow aisles and hidden products can be downsides to your business.

Free flow store layout

This is a new design layout, one that is unlike any of the other layout types seen above. It gives the customer more freedom in how they shop and can make them calmer, as it makes them feel less rushed. The only real disadvantage to this layout is that it can disrupt the normal customer flow.

There are many other layout types in the retail sector, and can all be applied depending on the type of business you run. However, design layout is not the only thing that can make your retail shop unique. See below for some more key details that can make your shop bespoke to your brand image.

Key details that make all the difference

Lighting – can have a very large part to play as it can change the mood and ambience of the shop. Overall, this enhances the customer’s experience.

Acoustics – the atmosphere is sometimes something that can bring back returning customers, and equally push them away. Making sure your shop isn’t too loud or too quiet can be tricky, but very beneficial if done right.

Design and branding – making sure your branding is visible to the customer will make sure that they always associate your business with the amazing customer experience they receive. It will also reinforce your company’s values not just to your customers, but to current and future employees too.

Contact Us

If you would like to be advised on what makes a retail shop fit out beneficial, please don’t hesitate to get in contact. You can reach a member of our team on 01494 506 385 or email us on hello@fitout.finance. Alternatively, head over to our contact page and fill in the form outlining your needs and we’d be happy to help! You can also see more over on our LinkedIn page.

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