Why social spaces are so important

Why social spaces are so important

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What is a ‘social space’?

A social space is essentially a breakout area. It’s somewhere that employees can go to relax, socialise, and sometimes even work with others. They are designed to create a different setting away from the desk. They make sure that breaks are optimised and taken in the best way for employees. It will differ depending on the type of business you work for; however, they all try to reach the same goal. Over the years there have been several wacky and wonderful ideas, such as foosball tables, beanbags and even vending machines. However, these are not usually found in most UK businesses breakout areas! However, if your budget allows, your employees’ expectations are met, and productivity levels are kept intact or even improved, then a few beanbags might be just what you need! Below are a few more reasons why social spaces are so important.

Enabling employees to work together

Arguably, one of the most important reasons to have a designated social space is to improve communication between employees. Stepping away from the desk and entering a space where you can socialise will help improve creativity. Allowing you to communicate with others around you will allow you to connect with your fellow colleagues. This has many major benefits including a better environment when working, increased productivity and increased collaborative work. It can also take out the broken communication that can sometimes occur between departments. Taking out the more formal setting allows those who wouldn’t normally work together to do so, again improving communication and increasing the likelihood of working together in the future.

Importance of a well rested break

We all know that formal settings such as meeting rooms and boardrooms are important for work. However, social spaces are just as important during those times when you’re not working. Making sure your staff take well deserved breaks to relax are so important. Taking yourself away from the desk at lunchtime for example can lead to a more productive afternoon and increased motivation, perfect for business! In this day and age, the importance of mental health and well-being is also on the rise. Therefore, the importance of breakout areas are all the more prevalent.

Design layout of your workspace

Lastly, the design and layout of your workspace is equally as important. This includes things such as acoustics, lighting, food and drink objects, filling spaces and partitioning. The acoustics of a social space can be changed by the introduction of soft furnishings and lower lighting. Food and drink machines such as vending and coffee machines will increase productivity. It will also give your staff their much needed caffeine hit! Filling the spaces can also be tricky when planning an office fit out, so adding small things like beanbags and sofas can keep the budget low, but add colour and populate the area. Partitioning is also important, read why here in a previous blog of ours.

Contact Us

If you would like more information on why social spaces are so important then head over to our contact page on our website 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.

Why are office refurbishments so important?

Why are office refurbishments so important?

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Why are office refurbishments so important?

Office refurbishments are so important when it comes to furniture and fit out leasing. This is because of the importance of what a workplace means for a business. Here at Fit Out Finance, we recognise how integral an office refurbishment can be.  It’s the first thing that clients will take note of when walking into the room. This is critical as it allows them to leave with the first impression you wanted to push. If this impression reflects your brand, looks smart, successful and vibrant it will be easier to persuade the client to work with you. This in turn will lead to more sales, leading to a larger cash flow, which is ideal for any company!

Not only can a refurbishment help with the impression you make upon clients, but it can help your team also. A workspace is a place that employees will spend a significant amount of their time, with the majority spending 35hours+ a week in the office. And this is the primary reason that a harmonious work environment is crucial. When an office gets a fresh lick of paint, you might be surprised in the surge of employee productivity and morale.

It isn’t always necessary to do a large refurbishment like this, but depending on the size of your business, you know what’s best. It also doesn’t happen very often, so making sure you get it right is essential. This includes paying for it the right way too. More companies are now leasing their fit outs all whilst spreading the cost over 3-5 years. Some of the benefits to leasing are seen below.

Benefits of office refurbishment finance

  • Pay for the interior project over it’s useful life
  • Significant tax benefits
  • Do not compromise your office interior project due to budget constraints, as leasing makes monthly budgeting easier
  • Flexible rental terms over one to five years
  • Preserve existing lines of credit

Contact Us

If you would like more information on why office refurbishments are so important then head over to our contact page on our website to speak to a member of our team. Furthermore, if you would like to talk to us over the phone then please call 01494 506 385 or email hello@fitout.finance. We hope that throughout this blog, you have been able to learn a few key points to financing your furniture and fit-out projects. You can also see more over on our LinkedIn page.

Why partition walls can help your office space

Why partition walls can help your office space

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There are several reasons why partition walls can help your office space. Below are just a few reasons, however there are many more out there. Here at Fit Out Finance we don’t just provide finance options in the office furniture sector, but also in the restaurant, retail and warehouse sector too. However, we don’t stick to our sectors and can provide finance for most assets we get asked about. Therefore, if you have any questions about a finance need you may have, and it doesn’t fall within these sectors, then please still reach out and we will be more than happy to help.

Natural light

Glass partitions create natural light within the office. This creates a healthy working environment within the office. Instead of having dark partitions that can negatively affect the mood of employees, having more natural light will boost morale. This could lead to more business and better teamwork within the office, which is always a good thing! It can also help when looking at electricity and heating costs, as the added natural light and insulation will help keep your costs down. Again, lower costs are always good for your business!

Office design and layout

The design and layout of your business is extremely important. With partitions instead of permanent walls you can set out the plan of your office to exactly how you want it. The design and layout of your office can also be important to your clients. It will create a good impression as the first thing they see when they walk into your building.

Cost effective and ease

Partitions are much cheaper than permanent walls. Therefore, lowering the expenditures on your business without having to compromise on aesthetic. Not to mention, they are also much more flexible as they can be easily moved. When you want to change the layout of your office, it will be a much smoother and quicker process. This means the ease of the change is increased. Both your employees and your bank account will thank you!

Privacy

The privacy of having a partition is something that can be tailored to your company, depending on what you want. The partitions make it easier for noise pollution to be reduced as well as your employees to be more focused. However, they also provide transparency between the business, especially if you have glass partitions installed. The relationship between employers and employees will stay the same as you can still see each other, without the added impacts of noise. Again, if this doesn’t end up working for your business, they can be easily moved or removed.

Contact Us

If you would like more information on the above information on why partition walls can help your office space, then head over to our contact page on our website 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 hello@fitout.finance. You can also see more over on our LinkedIn page.

4 suggestions to enhance your office space

4 suggestions to enhance your office space!

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Below are 4 suggestions to enhance your office space!

Make your office more sustainable

Sustainability is at the forefront of everyone’s minds in the current world we live in. Here at Fit Out Finance we are proud to currently be a part of a green initiative through our trading company, WestWon. We plant a tree for every month of a lease agreement that we undertake with a client. Along with this, we also operate as a paperless office as well as having installed LED lighting in our office. Among these ideas that you could implement in your office to make it more sustainable, there are also a number of other things you could add. Adding plants and greenery, turning off the heating and lighting more often, measuring your waste and limiting single use plastic are all extra ways to make your office more sustainable.

Boardrooms vs breakout rooms

As the world moves on from the recent impacts of the pandemic, the way in which people work has changed drastically. Gone are the 5 day working weeks, with long hours in the office, tied to a desk. Although this may be still be the case for some companies, it is also proving essential to have areas that are the opposite. The idea of boardrooms vs breakout rooms will allow your staff to have a place to work hard. And a place to relax, which in turn has proven to have an increase in motivation.

Replace cabinet hardware and window treatments

Making sure your office is always kept up-to-date can sometimes be tricky. However, making sure that your office is safe for your staff is essential and should be the first thing you upgrade in your office if it needs changing. Here at Fit Out Finance, you can pay for your project over its useful life. This means you have more time to pay for it as you use it. You can therefore keep your staff safe all whilst keeping the cash flow of your business moving, and budgeting well.

Lease your furniture and fit out pieces

We may be a little biased as a furniture and fit out leasing company on this one! However, if you want an up to date office, then leasing is your best option. You can spread the cost of your fit out anywhere between 1 to 5 years. Your project can therefore be financed over a longer period of time than if you were to pay it all in one go. Also, the design of your office is constantly changing. Therefore, leasing the equipment instead of buying it will most likely make it easier for you to operate as a business in the long run. You can also preserve existing lines of credit, make monthly budgeting easier and there are significant tax benefits to you.

Extra tip – For other businesses improve all aspects within your sector

Here at Fit Out Finance we can provide finance for a range of sectors. These include office refurbishments, restaurants, warehouses and retail. If you are part of any of these sectors, we can help provide finance for a range of assets or loans. However, the help doesn’t stop there. We can also provide finance for mostly any sector or industry. So, if you have a finance need, and don’t see it advertised on our website, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We may still be able to help you! Furniture and fit out improvements also apply to all sectors which is why they need updating year in year out. It is never too early or late to start leasing for your business, whatever it may be.

Contact Us

If you would like more information on the above 4 suggestions to enhance your office space then head over to our contact page on our website 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 hello@fitout.finance. You can also see more over on our LinkedIn page.

restaurant layout

Why a good restaurant layout is key

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Throughout this blog, I will be listing factors that you should consider when designing the layout to your restaurant. So, if you would like to optimise your restaurant to it’s highest potential then keep reading!

Ensuring good circulation and free movement.

Having a restaurant layout that flows well and allows free movement for your customers is paramount to a seamless customer journey. The layout should be mapped out in a way that makes it straightforward and spacious for your customers to navigate their way around. Because there is nothing worse than having to weave your way through a crowded restaurant trying your hardest not to knock anyone’s meals off the table. Not to mention, by allowing a clear flow to your restaurant it will inevitably save you money on breakages. By doing this, you can significantly reduce the amounts of accidents caused by both customers and busy, rushing restaurant staff.

This will make your employees lives easier by reducing the accident risk in the restaurant. However, also by having clear passageways and an easy-flowing system from kitchen to dining area, it can improve the speed and efficiency of your customer service.

Restaurant frontend and backend correspondence.

So not only should the restaurant be kitted out in a way that gives your customers a harmonious dining experience. But also in a way that allows your staff to provide them with 5-star customer service.

Therefore, this should be done in such a way that the frontend (places accessible to customers), so: entrance, reception, waiting area, cashier’s desk and dining area, is well connected to the backend of the restaurant. That being; the kitchen, pantry, storage and administration area.

So, by thinking pragmatically about this layout can save your staff time and hassle. For example, having your pantry and storage close to the kitchen is probably ideal. This will save restaurant staff having to carry and transfer stock from one side of the restaurant to the other. This will also prevent unnecessary service time delays.

It is also wise to have the kitchen and storage well separated from the dining area to prevent noise and smell pollution from the kitchen reaching your customers.

Providing basic comfort to both employees and customers.

Air Quality

Due to a number of factors such as; cooking, heat lights, electrical equipment and sheer amount of people in the restaurant, restaurants are innately warm places. And if you’re not careful, can get uncomfortably hot for the whole population of the restaurant. Therefore, it is fundamental to have decent Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) fitted in your restaurant. Whilst also ensuring that the kitchen is well ventilated for the comfort of the kitchen staff. However, also to let any smoke out that is caused during food preparation.

Restaurant Lighting

The lighting in your restaurant has a significant impact upon the ambiance that exudes from it. So try to avoid cold, harsh and unflattering lighting. However at the same time also ensuring the visibility is good to reduce the probability in any accidents.

Acoustic

Generally, restaurants are noisy spaces. This is mainly due to multiple people having conversations all at once in close proximity. When adding background music to the mix, this can become quite overwhelming and dampen the experience that customers may have dining with you. Shouting back and forth isn’t the customer experience you want to provide! This is why many restaurants choose to have soft furnishings and carpeted floors that provide sound absorbency. But arguably, carpets might not be the most practical choice when food and drink spillages are inevitable. So false ceilings can also be added as an alternative.

Strategic optimisation of space.

Number of Tables

As mentioned earlier on in the blog, and I cannot reiterate this enough, free mobilisation of both staff and customers is imperative. So, make sure to not overcrowd your restaurant with the maximal amount of tables that you can fit in. There should be enough space in passage ways for a customer making their way out and a waiter carrying a tray to move freely without any clashing.

Superior Tables

Another headache that restaurant owners encounter is trying to make every table a ‘good table’ whilst also making the most of the space in the restaurant. Good tables are usually favoured as those that aren’t located near any potential areas of disruption. This usually includes those tables that are situated near lavatories or the kitchen. Along with tables that are located in the centre of the restaurant. These usually unfavoured by guests too as many feel over exposed here. An innovative way to overcome these obstacles is to implement wall separators that will comfort guests with more privacy. And when put into place properly, separators can actually improve the overall ambiance of the restaurant.

Fire Exits

And last but definitely not least, is ensuring that your restaurant layout is safe. So that in the case of an emergency, there is always safe and clear pathways leading to your emergency exits. Whilst also ensuring a clear emergency plan is set in place and made known to all members of staff.

Contact Us

If you would like more advise on the importance of your restaurant layout then head over to our contact page on our website 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 hello@fitout.finance.

What are the key points to Fit Out Financing?

What are the key points to Fit Out Financing?

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Here at Fit Out Finance, we are keen on letting clients and suppliers know why finance is so important for your furniture and/or fit-out business. We have assisted many companies with their fit out financing needs. Here at Fit Out Finance we are confident we can help you with your financing needs whatever they may be. We offer finance for office refurbishments, restaurants, retail and warehouses. However, we are not limited to this list, and so if you and your business do not fall within these industries, do not hesitate to contact us. Below are a few key points to financing your furniture and fit-out projects:

Monthly budgeting easier –

Your lease agreement will include fixed monthly payments. This makes your monthly budgeting easier, and quick for you to pay. Here at Fit Out Finance our aim is to make finance easy for you, all whilst providing you with 5* customer service.

An intelligent solution –

How would you fund a £15,000 furniture and a £35,000 fit out?

£50,000 upfront or lease the project for £1,145 per month – we know which option we would rather choose…

Flexible rental terms –

The rental terms that we provide can last anywhere between 1 to 5 years. This gives you a flexibility to create an agreement that works for you.

What are some of the assets that can be financed –

  • Prelims & partitioning
  • Furniture & fitout
  • D&B, consultancy, contingencies
  • Carpets, ceiling tiles
  • M&E & HVAC

Existing lines of credit –

This means you won’t have to use up a bank facility you already have as your main or only form of finance.

No budget constraints –

Paying back in monthly fixed payments will make it easier for you to make the right decisions. This is essential for a fit out project. This therefore means you are able to invest more money into bigger and better projects.

Contact Us

If you would like more information on what we can offer you and your business then head over to our contact page on our website to speak to a member of our team. Furthermore, if you would like to talk to us over the phone then please call 01494 506 385 or email hello@fitout.finance. We hope that through this blog you have been able to learn a few key points to financing your furniture and fit-out projects. You can also see more over on our LinkedIn page.

Moving Advice for Small Businesses

Moving Advice for Small Businesses

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Here at Fit Out Finance, we believe that moving advice for small businesses is so important. This includes companies from start-ups to well-established businesses. We provide finance for a number of sectors including office refurbishments and restaurants. Below is some advice for a small business when moving. However, it can be applied to larger style companies as well.

Moving premises for a small business is a completely different animal than moving a large one. Where large businesses can employ a team to move an office usually over a weekend, for a small business the office move is a vitally important project. The impact of which can change the direction the business takes in the future. This makes it even more important that the move is completed as successfully and efficiently as possible.

Key points

Fit Out Finance have compiled some key advice specifically tailored for small businesses to ensure their office move runs smoothly.

Plan ahead

– We cannot recommend this enough at Fit Out Finance. Effective planning is essential for any sized company considering moving office. Early planning gives a business enough time to avoid any rash or rushed decisions being made.

Get real estimates

– It may seem easy and convenient for you to go online and retrieve an online quote. This can be for anything from removals to fit-out and refurbishment for a new office. However, more often than not, an online quote will change, and this can drastically affect a company’s budget. Getting an onsite quotation will not only build a relationship with a supplier, but gives you an accurate quotation. Once the supplier knows more specifics and detail, they can send you an accurate quote and will be keen to work with you. Are you looking for a reputable supplier who can provide you with an onsite quote? Fit Out Finance has a network of approved suppliers who will be more than happy to provide you a quote.

Only take what you need

– We see this all the time at Fit Out Finance. A company who moves everything from their old office to their new one, only for it to be dumped somewhere out of the way and never seen again in the new location. Moving into a new office is a fantastic excuse to avoid clutter. Also to throw out a lot of unnecessary items or replace it with new equipment. A new office is a new stage of a small business’s life, and replacing old equipment with new equipment will bring that new lease of life to your company and employees.

Pay attention to the little things

– Details are important. To avoid the risk of missing something that can prove to be so important when a company moves offices, keep a list of things that will require attention. When relocating, remember to update your website, marketing material and even blogs to share the excitement of your new location with your customers, suppliers, and partners. Your stakeholders will be excited to visit the new premises, so embrace that feeling of excitement!

Seek professional help if in doubt

– Unlike a large business who can employ large office moving teams, smaller companies will do a lot of the research and leg work themselves. However, you need to ensure that what you are doing is correct and as efficient as possible. Hiring professionals to guide you through your office move, such as removals companies and real estate brokers can save you time and money in the long run.

Contact Us

If you would like more information on what we can offer you and your business then head over to our contact page on our website 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 hello@fitout.finance. We hope that you have learnt about moving advice for small businesses and why it is so important. You can also see more over on our LinkedIn page.

Our green agenda here at Fit Out Finance

Our green agenda here at Fit Out Finance

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The WestWon Woodland scheme

Here at Fit Out Finance, we are a trading name of WestWon. At the end of last year, WestWon decided to start investing in the environment. Through a company called Ecologi, we have made the aim for ourselves to plant 100,000 trees and reduce 7,500 tonnes of CO2 from the atmosphere within the next 5 years. We hope that by giving ourselves this impressive aim, we can strive to reach it, and will in turn do our bit for the world we live in.

We have named this scheme the WestWon Woodland, however here at Fit Out Finance, we are striving to help WestWon reach this goal and will be a part of this green agenda. Ecologi works with a huge number of organisations whose aim is also to plant trees in order to contribute positively to the climate. We will be planting a tree for every month of a lease deal. We will be monitoring this at the end of each month, so that no trees are left unplanted!

Carbon offsetting

Along with this tree planting scheme we have also taken advantage of Ecologi’s carbon offsetting service. This means that every month, Ecologi counteracts the carbon that we offset as a business by investing in projects that remove greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. Ecologi has a tool that calculates our carbon emissions. It then uses this to show how many trees we would need to plant to offset this. In doing so, WestWon has become a climate positive workforce, which we have been for over 4 months now.

One of our main goals is to also become a carbon neutral company. We know this will come in time, however we are on the right path towards achieving this goal. We have taken steps to ensure the trees that are planted are actually real! This includes speaking with Ecologi on numerous occasions. As well as in depth research and looking at their transparent paper trail of their accounts, live on their website.

More about our green agenda here at Fit Out Finance

We are excited to get this project underway. In doing so it brings many benefits to the environment. This includes benefits such as carbon sequestration, flood control and improvements to the air we breathe and the habitats of animals around the world. If you would like to read more about this then please head over to our sustainability page on our website.

Contact Us

If you would like more information on what we can offer you and your business then head over to our contact page on our website to speak to a member of our team. Furthermore, if you would like to talk to us over the phone then please call 01494 506 385 or email hello@fitout.finance.

Meet our incredible team Fit Out Finance

Meet our incredible team here at Fit Out Finance!

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Meet our incredible team here at Fit Out Finance!

Here at Fit Out Finance we have an extremely friendly and professional team to help you and your business with whatever finance need you may have. Our team has a broad and extensive knowledge of the furniture and fit out industry. We have worked with many furniture companies over the years, and can’t wait to build new relationships with others. All of this combined we believe we will be able to provide an excellent service for you. We offer finance for a range of sectors including office refurbishments and restaurants, so do not hesitate to get in touch! Below is a bit more information on our two professional and friendly Business Development Managers:

Tracey Johnson – Business Development Manager

Tracey has over 10 years in the leasing and asset finance industry, specialising in the furniture and fit out sector. She joined WestWon in 2016, in that time she has worked with some of the most reputable UK fit out companies. She has worked with hundreds of businesses financing their office moves. Tracey is one of the most knowledgeable people in furniture leasing. She would be more than happy to assist you in your office move.

Freya Holliman – Business Development Manager

Freya joined WestWon in 2021, before moving over to Fit Out Finance in 2022. Although quite new to the industry, Freya has already built up many relationships with UK fit out companies. She is already working with businesses financing their moves.

Contact Us

If you would like more information on what we can offer you and your business then head over to our contact page on our website 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 hello@fitout.finance. We hope you have learn more and meet our incredible team working here at Fit Out Finance!

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