Hey peeps
i have been considering renting a property to run my ST/SM business from, and was wondering what all you guys run yours from.
i know that a shop premises has the benefit of visibility with shop windows and walking trade but a converted office space it a lot cheaper to rent but requires more marketing to let people know you are there.
any thoughts on the matter is most grateful, also if you know or think of problems for either idea that would be good to know also
I have run my business from a unit in a business park with no passing trade, relying on advertising (didn't work), leafleting (some response) and referrals (works, but slowly!)
I have also worked in a shop-front premises in a town centre with lots of passers by. And apart from the two soldiers who came in, but soon who turned heal and ran when they realised it would be me (a man) doing the massage! thats what they all did - pass by!!
I now have a room in a gym where there is a constant flow of potential business, and my business has grown really well over the two years I've been there.
well all the gyms are taken round my area so i cant consider that avenue, i would have to travel furthere a field and that wouldnt make much sense on the money front
but good to know all the same
ive worked in all different settings;
gym - mediocre trade. Did it for about a year. Found that some of the PTs did sports massage, and didnt like the competition. Competition is only a threat if you are c**p at what you do in my opinion. 😀
business centre - excellent! It was on a monthly license, so only a months notice, all rates, electicity, water, cleaning etc were included, and had the option of cheap reception facilities. Got tons of work from the businesses in the centre, plus referalls. If you can get somewhere thats in a town/city centre, I would recommend it.
Shop front - been in current clinic for 5 years, ground floor, on a very busy city centre road, with huge amount of passing trade. Works very well, as we have high visibility. Downside is, town/city centre properties can be expensive.
In my experience, if I was starting from scratch, I would go for a business centre again. Ive just noticed there is one on the outskirts of my city centre, with parking included, on-site gym, cafe and shop, and that would be ideal for someone who wants low start up costs.
thats really good advice
question regarding renting office space; ive been told that our business would come under a D1 planning category but an office is A1 use, so how would you go about working in an office premises? or am i worng about ST/SM coming under a D1 use category.
D1 is classed as a health centre, even though i would only have one or two rooms providing SM/ST hardly a health centre/gym
did you get an answer to this question?
question regarding renting office space; ive been told that our business would come under a D1 planning category but an office is A1 use, so how would you go about working in an office premises? or am i worng about ST/SM coming under a D1 use category.
D1 is classed as a health centre, even though i would only have one or two rooms providing SM/ST hardly a health centre/gym
would be interested to know if you got to the bottom of this. it's exactly what i'm trying to find out. have seen some office space to let which is very reasonable and could be a good opportunity if the planning consent thing isn't too tricky.