8 Ways to Find Cost Effective Office Space in Leeds

When you’re just starting out as a freelancer or entrepreneur, budgets are usually tight. It’s necessary to count the cost of all expenditures, including an office space to rent. Affordable and quality offices are not easy to find in Leeds, which is why we’ve created this guide for you. 

In this guide, we’ve put together some tips to help you develop a strategic plan to find the right office at an affordable price. Our tips will make searching for your office that much easier and faster. You can make your business from the home office and get started in a more professional setting. 

So, let’s get started!

Search for a Small Office

As a new entrepreneur or one who has a tight budget, it’s not necessary to go big right away. Instead, consider choosing a smaller office to start. If you have employees, then figure them into the amount of space you’ll need to rent. 

A smaller office is much more affordable than renting an entire floor, obviously.

Consider a Coworking Space

Coworking spaces have become extremely popular with freelancers, startups, and entrepreneurs. Some large corporate entities are also finding coworking spaces an excellent choice. 

With a coworking space, you can choose to lease one desk or more. Plus, most coworking spaces offer access to amenities that you’d have in a traditional office. These include access to office equipment (printers and more), meeting rooms, technology, and more. 

What’s even better? The monthly fee for your desk(s) includes access to these great amenities! That’s right; you read that correctly. The monthly lease is all-inclusive, which means everything is paid with one monthly fee. There’s no need to worry about paying separate expenses such as utilities, Internet, maintenance and cleaning, and more. 

Another plus to coworking spaces is that they are created to be communities. You’d be working side-by-side with other business professionals, making it easier than ever to network, create partnerships, and more. Some coworking spaces also offer special events where everyone socialises. So, it’s not just all work; there’s some play thrown in, too. And don’t forget—while you’re busy networking, you may just meet some new clients and companies who need your services!

Find an Individual Desk

If you’re not into coworking spaces, and can’t afford to rent an entire office, then consider renting a dedicatd desk. You benefit from having a dedicated workspace (albeit a single desk) in an office setting. 

This can be an affordable option, which gives you access to amenities and more. You’ll have more privacy than a coworking space provides at a price you can afford. 

Share with A Group or Partner

Here’s another affordable option. Do you know someone who needs an office? Then why not invite them to share an office space with you? That way, the cost of renting an office is cut in half, making an office more affordable for you both. You’ll both also have more control over your office space. 

You may want to consider partnering with a person who offers complementary services to your own business. This method could mean scaling the partnership in the future. You never know!

This type of partnership can be challenging. For instance, your partner could pull out, and your schedules may not mesh, and more. Before entering into this type of arrangement, it’s helpful to explore how this could work, as well as setting up guidelines for who is in the office on certain days and more. Communication is essential in this type of arrangement. 

Apply to Incubator & Accelerator Programs

Leeds is an attractive place for businesses of all types, including startups and entrepreneurs. As a result, the city is home to several incubator and accelerator programs. They can help you find affordable office spaces, provide you with mentors, networking opportunities, and more. 

Here are five organisations to consider in Leeds: 

• Spark (Starting a Business)
• Beyond Accelerator 
• NatWest Entrepreneur Accelerator
• Platform
• Accelerate at Leeds Beckett
• Tech Nation

Ask the Government

There’s a chance that government organisations may have space to lend to an entrepreneur. To find if this type of situation is available, contact the chamber of commerce and let them know you’re interested in borrowing office space. 

Here’s the chamber of commerce in Leeds: West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce

Provide Services for Office Space

Another option is to consider providing your services in exchange for office space. If you provide a service, this can be an excellent way to find an affordable office. 

Services that may work for this type of arrangement include content creation (writing, photography, vlogging, and more), graphic design, digital marketing, social media management, and more. 

Use Free Locations in the City

One more option worth exploring is free locations around the city. One of the main benefits is you’ll have a no-commitment workspace, meaning it will be affordable. You’ll also have access to free WiFi. 

Locations to consider include hotels, cafes, or even public libraries. Each place has its own benefits. For instance, if you need a quiet place to focus, then hotels and libraries might be the best option. Or, if you’d like to make connections and network, then a coffee shop might be the right choice. 

Before landing in one place, try each one out. This way, you’ll find which is the best fit for your type of work. 

There are many options when it comes to finding an office that works for you. It just takes a little creativity and reaching out to find an affordable office space that’s the right fit.