How To Pick the Best Business Unit

Finding and securing the right business unit for your operation is important. Choosing the right business unit is crucial in maintaining smooth operations and keeping your customers satisfied.

In this blog post, we explore how to select the most suitable business unit. Below, we outline some key thoughts and considerations, along with information about what our business units at Bowman House specifically offer to clients.

What Qualifies as a Business Unit?

Typically, a UK business unit is a multipurpose building that offers tenants a range of uses and facilities. It is a one- or two-storey building, and preferably self-contained, as seen with Bowman House. Additionally, it includes bathroom facilities.

An educational company may decide to provide its students with workshops, training sessions, and multi-day courses. These can be seen live via a high-speed internet connection or attended in person.

A private photography studio or a location where print work is finished could be an additional choice. While still being close to local transportation, a business centre setting offers the advantages of being removed from the bustle of a high street location.

What Industry Types or Work Purposes Are a Good Fit?

Small businesses, regardless of size, benefit from a well-organised workspace, especially when operating from a single, self-contained location. Aligning the right industry or work purpose with the right unit setup can greatly enhance productivity and customer experience.

A typical two-storey business unit includes a ground floor with generous headroom and a smaller mezzanine or upper level, often accessed by stairs. This layout creates a bright, open atmosphere that contrasts sharply with the feel of a traditional rented office, thanks to its internal vertical space and ample natural light.

Double doors and level access make it easy to move goods and machinery in and out – especially when using pallets – making these units highly practical. They also lend themselves well to a trade counter setup: with a customer-facing front area, storage at the rear (making full use of the unit’s height with racking), and sales or administrative functions housed in the first-floor office.

So, which industries are a good fit? It varies. Educational centres benefit from the open layout and flexible configuration. Print and production businesses can house heavy or bulky machinery without obstruction. Retailers serving local businesses or a niche clientele also thrive in this kind of space.

Availability of Different Size Business Units On-site

Connecting with a business facility that has several spaces of varying sizes is advantageous when considering a business unit.

Why is that? Because you will not be forced to choose a unit that is either too small or too large for your needs – you may like the area, but not the available spaces, and your time-consuming property search must continue.

We have business units at Bowman House ranging in size from 800 square feet to a spacious 3,500 square feet. Businesses can expand their activities and outgrow their present unit without fear of running out of available space.

One Storey or Two?

One Storey

Business owners might opt for a single-storey, ground-floor business unit. They may prefer this option because everything is easily accessible.

Multi-storey

A mezzanine floor or a second storey separate from the ground level could be advantageous to other owners. This gives them the option to work in peace at their desk but remain aware of everything going on below.

If it is not too heavy, another option is to place louder equipment on the top floor. If the equipment produces excessive heat, it is kept away from employees and customers.

Bowman House features several two-storey buildings available for rent as commercial spaces.

Access to Offices or Meeting Rooms

Sometimes, a small business needs access to a conference space or meeting room to have a private conversation with a potential customer or a member of staff. In other situations, it is necessary to rent a private office for two or more people to work on projects undisturbed.

It is beneficial when a business unit is part of a larger business centre or business park. This ensures they can rent an office or a meeting room for a day or a longer duration, as needed.

At Bowman House, we rent serviced offices, day offices, and hot desks to manage your office needs. Also, meeting rooms and conference rooms are available. Like the business units, these have internet access, and the meeting rooms support video conferencing.

Food and Drinks Nearby

It is easy to forget that employees need food and drink. Half their lunch break may be sacrificed battling midday traffic on a food run. Therefore, business centres need options to sustain everyone.

At our Royal Wootton Bassett location, we’re served by Upper Crust, a temperature-controlled sandwich van that stops by on weekdays. It offers a variety of hot and cold meals, snacks, freshly prepared sandwiches, and chilled drinks.

Transportation Links

Business units are usually located away from busy pedestrianised areas. They are found most commonly at commercial business parks, business centres, or industrial estates.

These commercial sites need to be close to first-rate transit connections. This provides quick access to regional or international airports, as well as the ability to connect with motorways to reach other cities.

For example, Bowman House is situated just 2 miles away from the M4 at Junction 16. This provides easy access to nearby Swindon, the bustling city of Bristol, the Thames Valley, and the South West.

Parking Access

Well-lit, allocated parking spaces dedicated to your business unit are a necessity. Otherwise, visitors may give up before they ever enter your retail store, gallery, or educational workshop.

We have allocated parking spaces for our business units at Bowman House. Additionally, on-site EV chargers can charge an electric vehicle while you work.

Charity Support

Some commercial landlords donate a portion of their profits to good causes. This may reflect your company’s values and be a good fit for you.

For example, Bowman House supports the Youth Adventure Trust. It raises funds to support vulnerable youngsters, giving them a taste of outdoor adventures that they may never otherwise experience.

Conclusion

A surprising amount of effort goes into selecting the right business unit for your operation. It must tick a lot of boxes to be the best choice.

Factors to consider include unit size, layout configuration, office availability, transportation options, good parking options, and a couple of places to grab a bite to eat.

If you believe we have a business unit that is a good fit for you, please do not hesitate to get in touch.