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Key Reasons for Commercial Moves
Almost half of all mid-to-large businesses are looking to relocate over the next 18 months, a survey by the British Property Federation suggests. Given that there are more than 40,000 businesses in the UK with more than 50 employees, that’s a lot of machinery, equipment and staff to shift. Here Hamiltons Removals, who provide high-quality commercial removals from their base in Norfolk, identify some of the key reasons why.
To Expand…
This used to be the principal reason why companies moved, because their existing premises didn’t have the physical space needed any longer. This may be because they need to take on more employees, or to install new machinery or high-tech equipment (perhaps to fulfil a new contract). Sometimes taking on more staff necessitates bigger premises, even if there are enough desks because you may have to consider other factors such as canteens, parking spaces, etc.
…Or to Downsize
These days many companies are looking to move to smaller premises (a trend also identified in the British Property Federation survey), which was compiled with the law firm Gowling WLG.
The increasing use of technology means that less physical floor space is required in many workplaces (fewer people are needed, and the technology that is needed is smaller than it used to be).
The increasing advent of people working from home, prompted by the pandemic, is another factor. According to the Office of National Statistics, more than eight out of every 10 employees who started doing this because of the coronavirus plan to carry on the practice (usually via hybrid working, part at home/part in the office) even though restrictions have been lifted. Businesses cannot afford to pay for unused space, particularly when it comes to the costs of heating and lighting.
Access to New Markets – and New Employees
Market research may indicate a business may be better off elsewhere, closer to a bigger pool of potential clients (who may be closer) and less expensive employees (depending on a region or country’s rules on factors such as a minimum wage).
There may also be planning factors to take into consideration (for example, if there are financial incentives for moving into an Enterprise Zone), or regulations (or taxes) have been relaxed in a particular area.
Increased transport costs are another factor in recent business moves, report the ONS, so you need to be close to your supply chain or where your customers are. In international terms, some UK businesses have chosen to relocate part of their operations overseas because of the effects of Brexit, including Dyson, Honda, and The Body Shop.
Closer to home, in the UK there are now various ‘tech corridors’ in East Anglia, many of them alongside the A14, between Norfolk and Suffolk. The common denominator is Cambridge, where digital businesses have grown up close to a university city renowned for its scientific and technological expertise.
The city itself is too small to accommodate much expansion, so the businesses are located in the Cambridge Science Park or alongside the nearest major trunk road (the A14), which has links to Ipswich, Felixstowe and from there into Europe. Moving into this region may also offer the chance of employing some of the brightest minds the country has to offer who have graduated from the university.
New, Purpose-Built Facilities
Sometimes businesses move out because their facilities are tired and outdated. It may not be worth investing the extra money (for example, for reasons of health and safety) and it may be more cost-effective to move.
Alternatively, it may be a question of coming to the end of a lease and doing some research into other facilities and finding that you can get a better deal elsewhere. There’s also the added benefit of giving a morale boost to your existing workforce (or attracting new ones) – happy employees tend to be more productive.
Quality of life may be another factor which will affect employees. For instance, if it’s a move from a city location to a more rural one. New premises may also be more sustainable or energy-efficient.
Commercial Removals from Norfolk-based Hamiltons Removals
Whatever reason you want to move for, Hamiltons Removals can help get you to your new location. We offer a comprehensive commercial removals service, and not just to our home county of Norfolk, but across the UK.
We can help with international removals from the UK too, to countries in Europe, to the USA and Canada, as well as Australia and New Zealand. This applies to moving businesses as well as domestic moves. We can also move larger items, such as vehicles, tractors and machinery as part of our specialist services.
To learn more about our commercial removals, follow this link. There’s a form on the page you can fill in if you want to make any specific enquiries.
Moving to Hunstanton with Hamiltons Removals
As a removal company based in Norfolk, we feel we know the area pretty well. One of our favourite destinations in the county is Hunstanton. Affectionately nicknamed ‘Sunny Hunny’, the town is a popular seaside resort in West Norfolk.
Hunstanton’s History
The town has a long history, with late Neolithic or early Bronze Age origins dating back to 1500 to 2000BC. An element of its more recent history can be found in the ruins of St Edmund’s Chapel, pictured below. The chapel was built in 1272 in memory of England’s first ever patron saint and King of East Anglia, who landed in Hunstanton in 855AD.
Despite its current popularity, up until the year 1840 there was nothing to find where new Hunstanton now stands. With the popularity of seaside holidays on the rise during the Victorian era, a man named Henry Styleman Le Strange decided to create a new one on this otherwise untouched piece of land. In fact, the very first building, The Golden Lion Hotel, is still going strong today! Hunstanton Heritage Centre is located in the centre of town and here you can learn more about its interesting history.
Beaches Old and New
Hunstanton beach faces west across the Wash, making it the only resort in the east coast of England to face west. This means that the sun actually sets over the sea, creating a truly stunning view each day and earning Hunstanton the unofficial title as the sunset capital of the UK.
The town has two beaches: Old Hunstanton and New Hunstanton. The pair are, however, only a mile apart, and easily accessible via a train which runs between the two. New Hunstanton boasts huge sandy beaches, as well as a lively promenade, Hunstanton Pier and Rainbow Park. The Pier is a family entertainment centre, built where the original 1870 Victorian pier once stood, and has many arcade and video games, as well as a bowling alley. Similarly, Rainbow Park has many great fairground rides for children to enjoy. The promenade itself has plenty of stands where you can buy food, souvenirs and unique gifts, plus you can explore the Old Lighthouse and beautiful lavender gardens, both of which are nearby.
Old Hunstanton is less busy and is surrounded by uniquely striped cliffs made up of carrstone (a type of sandstone), white chalk and red limestone. The beach itself has many dunes and rock pools, and dogs are allowed on the beach all year round. And, when you get hungry, there is the Old Town Beach Cafe, a vegan-friendly family-owned spot to eat (as well an ice cream kiosk!).
An Active Destination
Hunstanton is also fantastic for exploring outdoors, and incredibly dog-friendly with many popular walking routes such as Peddars Way, a gorgeous hiking trail around 50 miles long. There is also the Hunstanton Wolf Trail, which is a great way to learn about St Edmund and his time spent ruling over East Anglia, as well as the legendary appearance of a wolf appearing to guard over his severed head.
The town centre is bustling and lively, with more than 100 shops. For a bite to eat, there are plenty of options for fish and chips by the sea, including Henry’s of Hunstanton, Sally’s Fish’n’Chips, and Fishers of Hunstanton – all have rave reviews on Tripadvisor. For a more high-end dining experience, try Chives Wine Bar and Brasserie, or Michelin-starred restaurant The Neptune.
There is plenty to do in Hunstanton, including an abundance of water sports – kayaking, windsurfing and kitesurfing are all available. You can also hire bikes at Open Sky Cycles, or try your hand at other activities such as roller skating or adventure golf. You can also watch a show at The Princess Theatre (where Princess Diana herself brought young William and Harry to watch a performance of Cinderella) or take a stroll around the Boston Square Sensory Garden, which stimulates the senses of touch, sight, smell and sound.
Hunstanton is also one of the best places in Norfolk to go seal watching. With around 3,000 seals living around the Wash, it has one of the largest common seal colonies in the UK, perhaps even in the world. You can see the seals up close if you book a trip on one of the Wash Monsters – amphibious vessels which cruise along the coast – which makes for a brilliant day out.
Moving to Hunstanton with Norfolk Removal Company Hamiltons Removals
If you are interested in moving to Hunstanton, call us at Hamiltons Removals. We can organise commercial or domestic removals to the town, as well as all parts of Norfolk, including Cringleford, Trowse, Taverham, Wroxham and Wells-next-the-Sea. If you’d like to know more, you can call us on 01379 855203 or follow this link to find out about our video surveys and online quotes.