Pure magazine Issue 3

THE ISSUE 3

The latest news from our national
business centre network

In this Issue

Ideas to revamp your office
Meet the Pure team: Claire Hamblett
Holiday destination hotspots
Occupier Q&A: Clear Taxation
Top marketing tips from FSB

Over 20
Locations
Across
The UK

To book your space, please contact the local centre or visit
www.pureoffices.co.uk/locations

1 Edinburgh Park 13 [email protected]
[email protected]

2 Edinburgh Leith 14 [email protected] 12
[email protected]

3 Leeds Morley 15 [email protected]
[email protected]

4 Leeds Thorpe Park 16 [email protected]
[email protected]

5 [email protected] 17 [email protected]

6 Warrington 3
[email protected] 54
6
7 Nottingham 18 Portishead
[email protected] [email protected] 7

8 Oldbury 19 Weston-Super-Mare 8
[email protected] [email protected] 10 9

9 Warwick 20 Farnborough 12 11 13 14 15
[email protected] [email protected]

10 [email protected] 21 [email protected] 18 16 17
19 20
11 [email protected]

12 Gloucester 21
[email protected]

Serviced Offices Virtual Offices Meeting Rooms
Smart office space Flexible contracts Hire rooms by the hour
Flexible contracts
Ultra fast broadband Business address Ultra-fast wifi
24/7 Access & on site team Catering available
Telephone number Discounts to Pure customers

Welcome to
THE HUB

Welcome to the latest edition of The Hub, the business lifestyle magazine for Pure Offices
occupiers and their guests.

As we enter spring and the continued easing of restrictions, I am feeling optimistic (not least because it may be an
end to home schooling!). The need for a place to call work which inspires and brings people together has never been
so important. Nothing beats the buzz of business, of meetings, of deals being done, of services being delivered and
products being sold.

As our centres become reenergised, it may be the perfect time to revamp your office space and so in this issue interior
designer Kim Hayman offers her ideas on how best to go about this. One key point she picks out is the fact that
spending so long at home, our need for some comfortable, relaxation space will have increased. Thankfully,
most of our centres have lounges for people to relax, meet, and network with a variety of spaces offering
a nice change of scene from the office. Of course, all our safety measures will remain in place until the
restrictions are lifted.

Also in this issue, for those seeking a little escapism or starting to think about that all important holiday,
we look at some top destinations home and abroad.In particular, with a staycation boom predicted, we
consider returning to some quintessential British favourites like Scarborough, along with a few locations in
popular areas and that you may not have previously considered.

Finally, it gives me great pleasure to extend my welcome to occupiers of our 21st UK business
centre in Warrington, which opened this month. Managed by Sophie Dutton, the timing of this
new centre feels significant.I wish Sophie and our customers, in Warrington and at our other
centres around the UK, all the very best of luck for the future.

Nick Turner
Managing Director – Pure Offices

Refer a friend

Refer a friend and receive £100
if they take an office with us. Email
[email protected]
for further information.

*T’s & C’s apply

New centre

news Warrington

Open for business

We are delighted to announce the opening of our new Sophie Dutton,
centre in Warrington. It opened its doors this month, Warrington Centre
under the watchful eye of our new Centre Manager, Manager
Sophie Dutton. Sophie joined us earlier this year, to
help get the centre ready and work with businesses in
finding their perfect office.
The centre has been designed with wellbeing in mind,
plenty of natrual light, good ventilation and stunning
views over the beautiful lake. Things have started off
well with 10% of the space reserved and we cannot
wait to welcome new customers through our doors.

Key Facts About Warrington

„ Our 21st UK business centre

„ Office spaces from 1 to 50 people

„ Multiple business lounges and meeting rooms

„ Less than a mile to M6, M62 and M56 Motorways

„ Approx. ½ a mile to Warrington town Centre

The official photo
shoot is yet to take
place but here is a
sneak a peek into

our latest centre

Looking for an office
in Warrington?
Contact Sophie to discuss
your requirements further
[email protected]

Mtheeetteam

Claire Hamblett -
Assistant Centre Manager
at Gloucester

Every issue, we shine the spotlight on a member of our team
to give you an insight into our people and culture. We recently
caught up with Claire Hamblett, Assistant Centre Manager at
our centre in Gloucester. Here’s what we discovered…

Hi Claire! Have you always worked in I also assist the Centre Manager or site cafe and hairdressers – it’s handy
the serviced office industry? cover when she’s away, and this for us and for our customers.
I haven’t, actually. Before I started includes responding to any enquiries
working for Pure Offices (around and following up with viewings. We Another good thing about our centre is
ten years ago), I worked for the always make sure the centre is looking that we take a lot of pride in looking after
Magistrates Court Service looking after its best, everything is running smoothly it; we’re always trying to keep it looking
the magistrate schedules, making and the customers and all the visitors at its best. Although we’re not in the
sure there were the right number of to the centre are looked after. centre of Gloucester we’re very close
magistrates for each court, that kind of to the motorway, so it’s a great location
thing, before going on a secondment How is Gloucester different from in that respect. We also have a range
in the Criminal Justice Board, taking Pure Offices’ other centres? of facilities for communal use, such as
minutes and arranging events for each Like Portishead, we’ve got studios and meeting rooms, photocopiers and a
of the Chief Officers of the Criminal workshops as well as office space. franking machine. It’s great If you run a
Justice System. We’ve got two different sized studios small business and you don’t have these
and workshops as well as a variety facilities, you can just use ours. We’ve
So both were in administrative roles of different sized offices in the main got a superfast internet connection and
and although I’ve not always worked building. The first unit you see when simple licence agreements with no long-
in the industry I’ve always been in the you come in is a hairdressers. We’ve term commitments.
office environment. I have some event also got a dental surgery, lighting
planning and front of house experience company, a South African produce
too, which is how I got into the role here shop, a cafe called The Wonky Sarnie,
at Pure Offices in Gloucester. an electricians, a dog grooming studio,
some engineering companies in the
What does a typical work day look bigger units...the list goes on!
like for you?
If I’m the first one to arrive in the What do you like most about your
morning I open up, making sure all the role?
gates and the reception are ready for Interacting with the customers is what
the day. Grace, our centre assistant, I like best. I also like showing potential
also arrives first thing and we set up customers around and if they decide to
the meeting rooms. Then I sit down to move in, making their journey as easy
respond to my emails. as possible. Seeing that all the way
through is so rewarding. We’ve also
I manage a lot of the accounts side set up some showrooms in the empty
of things on behalf of the Gloucester offices which was a fun process.
team. I make sure all the billing is
checked and done accurately to Why should a company looking for a
include the additional services we offer workspace in Gloucester choose Pure
like the meeting rooms, postage and Offices?
photocopying for the customers, to It’s a contemporary space with a
ensure they are invoiced correctly. difference. Gloucester’s unique mix of
offices, studios and workshops attracts
Credit control is also a big part of what a variety of businesses. We’re lucky to
I do. A lot of our customers pay by have access amenities such as the on-
direct debit which is brilliant, however
there are a few that sometimes need
reminding!

We also run regular events that bring something I’m well known for too. The back on as soon as it is safe to go.
our community together. We like to do first thing our Ops Director Katie asks me
things for charity: the cake sales always is where I’m going on holiday next! During Covid we did manage to have
go down well and it gives our customers a very special day, my eldest daughter
the opportunity to talk even more. A lot of Our last trip was to Boston in the got married! Wasn’t exactly the day she
them chat to each other in the kitchens US where we went to visit one of my planned but still a beautiful day and she
and corridors but it’s always nice to have daughters who had taken a year out will also get to wear her dress again
a bit of time dedicated to socialising. from being a primary school teacher, to as there is a part 2 planned for this
live in America. We’re fans of the beach November, to celebrate it with the wider
Finally, what do you get up to when so we’ve been to places like Mauritius, family and friends.
you’re not at work? Cuba, Seychelles, and Thailand. We like
I’ve got a Cockerpoo who’s absolutely the faraway places but equally, when the My girls, and not forgetting my husband,
gorgeous! I work until 1 o’clock and children were young, our favourite place are really precious to me and I’m really
always sort him out first with a walk was Puerto Pollensa in Majorca. I cannot proud of them. We’re very close and we
when I get home. I’m also a member of wait to get back to it post Covid, last year do a lot together!
a fitness club so I do a lot of swimming, my husband & I should have gone away
spin classes and zumba. Travel is to Antigua to celebrate our 30th wedding
anniversary so that one will definitely be

H2021 oliday
Destination
Hotspots

“When can I go on holiday?” has been the most Googled question for the past 12 months. Okay,
that’s not strictly true – but it’s certainly up there! Hopefully we don’t now have too long to wait.

Now that the Government’s roadmap for easing the lockdown Scarborough, Yorkshire
is well underway, going on holiday seems like a reality As Britain’s first seaside resort, Scarborough has a long history
again. In England we are now able to stay in self contained of tourism. From family-friendly beaches and fish & chips to the
accommodation - like holiday cottages - with our household dramatic ruins of a castle and fine dining options, there really is
bubble. something for everyone (including a host of upcoming outdoor
concerts and events).
Hotels, B&Bs and most campsites are set to open for
holidaymakers in England on 17 May at the earliest*. Hopefully St Ninians Isle, Scotland
holiday’s abroad will be a possibility this year too (if not, best St Ninians Isle is situated on the west coast of Shetland and
book up for 2022!) is connected to the mainland by a 500 metre long tombolo
(Old Norse for “gravel bank”). Its incredible beach is often
Until 21 June at the earliest, guests will have to comply with the compared to the Caribbeans’ tropical beaches owing to its
‘stage 3’ social mixing rule which states that a maximum of six pristine sand and sparkling blue shores. We’d
people or two households can stay together indoors. recommend a jumper though!

* based on current English guidelines. Holyhead, Wales
Vibrant and varied,
Holidaying in the UK destinations well-rounded
Holyhead combines
Understandably, many of us are choosing to holiday at home fishing, shopping, history
in 2021. In fact, TravelNest’s Travel and Tourism Survey 2021 and watersports.
reveals that 79% of people plan to take one or two UK-based Breakwater Country Park
‘staycations’ this year. If you’re one of them, you may want to is situated two miles from
check out the following domestic destinations: the town centre and features
some stunning views across
Brockenhurst, New Forest the Irish sea. On a clear day,
Rated “Britain’s most beautiful place to live”, Brockenhurst is you should be able to spot
perfectly placed for exploring everything the National Park has the Skerries.
to offer. Hop on your bike to the historic village of Beaulieu,
head to Lymington on the coast or spend a fun day with the Ananuri corimvep
family at Exbury Gardens. Photo

Loweswater, Lake District
If you’re looking for a quiet getaway in a lesser-known part
of the Lake District, try Loweswater. There aren’t any towns
or villages in the area, but you’ll find numerous cottages and
farms. Bathe in the tranquil vibes on a walk around the lake or
challenge yourself with a walk up Mellbreak.

Holidaying abroad destinations Andaman Islands
The Andaman Islands are an Indian archipelago of 300
When the time comes, before travelling abroad, bear in mind islands in the Bay of Bengal; expect white-sand beaches,
that you may have to quarantine either side of your trip and tropical rainforests and coral reefs.
that existing rules are subject to change. All is not lost though –
many accommodation providers around the world are offering Ethiopia
free and flexible cancellations. Ethiopia has the most UNESCO World Heritage sites of any
Have you considered visiting these unique countries? country in Africa; there’s so much to see and do – including
exploring the country via camel!
Montenegro
Lots of people have been to neighbouring Croatia, but Ukraine
Montenegro is just as beautiful with its awe-inspiring mountain
ranges, lush coastline and ancient towns. Ideal for travellers on a budget or anyone looking for
something different: you can sunbathe by the Black Sea, hike
Georgia in the Carpathians or journey through the Pechersk Lavra
This European country is renowned for its ancient cultural caves in Kiev.
heritage, culinary specialities, rolling hills, snow-capped
mountains and warm hospitality. If you’re looking for a special place to stay this year in the UK
or abroad, check out coolstays.com. From tree houses and
boat-els to beach huts and glamping, there’s something to
suit every taste, budget and requirement.

A mountPahionto road in Ethiopia.

by Clay Knight.

eporlbe,yxGGeoeonorgritGghuiareuli.Aragvi Bay in NSeicl Faerdboroowryocuz.gh

Photo by

Revayomur poffice

As our attention turns to the office, interior designer Kim
Hayman of Applemoon Interiors shares her thoughts on why
now is a good time to revamp the office and help your team
transition back from the home environment.

As plans are made for the majority of people to head back to the office, we need to be mindful
of helping colleagues get back to office life. The transition from home working to the office is
likely to be a much harder than the one from office to home, so how can we make the move
easier for our team?

One of the biggest issues facing people returning to the office is exchanging the quiet of the
home office (except for the kids and pets!!) for the buzz of the shared office. The open plan
office set-up has gained in popularity over the last 10 years or so but maybe it’s time to think
about zoning the spaces so that less people are working side by side.

Allow your team to make their
designated spaces more homely,
adding plants & photos, even think
about relaxing the dress code to be
less formal. At home, they have been
able to set the temperature to their own
preference, so maybe now is the time
for some corporate branded blankets
for those that prefer to be slightly cosier
when the air conditioning is on…!

Working between home and office
Hot desking may be something that will
allow your team to divide their working
week between the office and working
from home. In this instance having
some designated storage space so that
they don’t have to transport the entire
contents of their desk drawers daily
might be worth investing in. We love
these colourful lockers from Mustard
Made, they are fun and practical and
have removable baskets that can easily
be carried to a desk with all necessary
paraphernalia to begin the working day.

www.mustardmade.co.uk

Creating Zones and Quiet Spaces www.edu-quip.co.uk
People have been used to working alone in a quiet
environment and they may miss this aspect when To help with sound proofing, we
they return to the office. also love these acoustic ceiling
panels which will help to absorb
Consider creating quiet areas of the office or adding noise. They’re practical and
some office ‘pods’ which can be peaceful places come in a variety of colours to
to work and hold those video meetings that have compliment your office decor.
become part of our everyday working life. Whilst
there are some slightly more ‘out there’ concepts like
‘phone booth’ type pods from Meavo or ‘huts’ from
Edu Quip the same space can be created using
plants and room dividers. Ikea have a great range
of artificial plants, pots and shelving enabling you to
create inviting zones within your office, or there are
living wall room dividers which are a brilliant way to
create calm. They also absorb sound, allow for some
privacy and add that much needed greenery which is
so good for our health and wellbeing.

www.meavo.com

www.officelandscapes.co.uk www.ajproducts.co.uk
Of course, a few strategically
Home from home placed ‘Shhh!’ signs may
Without going down the road of the also help identify the spaces
stereotypical ‘break-out’ zone with where quiet is expected.
colourful beanbags and table tennis, try
and find the middle ground by creating www.redbubble.com
an area where people can take a break
and catch up with colleagues. This may At many Pure centres there are lounges and
need to be a more homely area, so add private spaces around the centre for your team
in those comfy home furnishings, squishy to take time out or make a call, so perhaps
sofas, footstools and coffee tables, encourage people to use the designated
rugs and lamps, cushions and throws. space outside the four walls of your office.
Somewhere to stop for a few minutes
and regroup before returning to work. Need help with your office look? Kim offers residential
Lastly think about getting these things in and commercial interior design consultancy. Contact
place as soon as you can so that there is her via www.applemooninteriors.co.uk
an excitement about returning to the new
look office and any anxiety of mixing with
others once again is lessened.

Q&AOccupier
In this edition we caught up with Arlene Reid and David Fraser, Directors of Clear Taxation, a firm
specialising in US and UK tax and wealth management. Arlene and David moved into our brand-
new Edinburgh Park centre when it opened in October 2020. Curious to find out how they’re
getting on, we spoke about their experience of the centre so far, how their business is faring and
their exciting plans to take part in the Kickstart Scheme.

Hi both! So, how are you finding our recruited me onto the team – and we aged between 16 and 24 into the
shiny new centre in Edinburgh Park? stayed in touch over the years. We business, train them and give them a
Arlene: It’s been fantastic. We’ve got started Clear Taxation in 2007 and until chance they otherwise wouldn’t have in
superfast broadband, which we didn’t recently we were a boutique private this climate.
have when we were working in the centre client firm specialising in UK and US
of Edinburgh because of the cobbles. taxes. David: In February the scheme’s rules
And then there’s the free parking – changed, allowing businesses to apply
finding a spot in the centre of town was We launched the wealth management as an individual employer looking to
also an issue. side of the business in 2020, and now recruit any number of people. We’ve
we’re able to provide the whole private applied for a few recruits, so fingers
Our Centre Manager, Yolanda, has client package. crossed we’ll get them! We’ve both
been fantastic. It feels as if we’ve come managed departments and are familiar
through this journey together with her For us, it’s important that we’re qualified with training people.
because we all moved in at a similar to the highest level. We’re chartered
time. tax advisors in the UK and enrolled We’ve earmarked a couple of larger
agents with the IRS. The high quality offices within the centre that we’d take
Why did you choose Pure Offices over infrastructure, design and services on to accommodate any extra staff. As
the competition? at Pure Office also reflect our high well as getting involved in the Kickstart
David: We did look at some of Pure standards. Scheme, we’re also looking to grow the
Offices’ competitors but this place just wealth management side of the business
ticked all the boxes. It’s been finished Arlene: I started my tax career with over the coming months.
to a really high spec and the views are HMRC then joined KPMG, where I met
great. It’s perfect for us. David, before leaving to work for a well Arlene: The centre is a great location for
known Edinburgh firm. someone starting their career. The tram
We thought we’d sign up for 12 months stop is just outside the building, there’s
to start with and see how it goes. We’ve As David said, we kept in touch, and a train station and bus stop nearby,
been here for five months now and still eventually decided that work is better and the free parking, making it very
love it, and we think our team will too. if you work for yourself. Working for the accessible. We can reach the centre of
Being at the new centre is also enabling big firms is great, but you don’t have Edinburgh in just 20 minutes.
us to grow – we’ve been onboarding new any control over how you do things.
clients every day. We specialise in UK and US tax which As far as COVID safety is concerned, the
is a very niche area – there’s not really space is cleaned regularly and it’s very
The superfast broadband is fuelling our anybody else doing what we do in easy to socially distance here because
conversions because we can connect Scotland. it’s so spacious.
with potential clients quickly over video
call, which is way more effective than Can you tell us about your David and Arlene – Clear Taxation
speaking over the phone. It gives people involvement in the Kickstart Scheme?
confidence in us and it definitely helps to Arlene: Our values are really important
have a nice office backdrop. to us and we’ve been focusing on them
over the last few months. Now that we’ve
Let’s rewind a little. What inspired you got a great space, we’re planning to
to start your business? take part in the Government’s Kickstart
David: Arlene and I used to work Scheme.
together at KPMG – she actually
We’re looking to bring young people

Top marketing tips

Running your own business is exciting. You’ve got a great idea, the ambition to succeed… and
lots of questions about how you can make your business a success in tough times. That’s why
the Federation of Small Businesses is behind you every step of the way, whatever your ambitions.
As a starting point, we’ve rounded up eight marketing top tips from those in the know to get you
started on your business journey.

Understand your customer Send a clear message
You need to know who you are talking to. Defining your target Do people know what you’re selling? You might think it’s
audience goes a long way to crafting your message. What do obvious, but it may not be to a potential customer. Make sure
you get asked most often by your customers? What are the people know about all the services you provide. Have a clear
most frequent pain points or comments you get? Whether you and easy way for people to contact you, and consider making
go digital or hand out leaflets on the street, a targeted message your prices readily available on your flyers, website or even
is likely to have a bigger impact than a blanket campaign. business cards. The less work it is for the customer to engage
with you, the more likely they are to do so.
Email marketing – trim your subjects
Open rates can climb significantly by reducing the words you Run a competition
use in your subject line. Remember, you are not telling the There’s no denying that everyone likes a freebie. Consider
whole story; you just want the person getting the email to be handing out samples or running a competition. You don’t
interested enough in what you have to say to open the email, have to go big on this one, use it to showcase your product or
and follow the calls to action. If you really want to stand out, service and get you noticed.
choose one word, and make it count.
Be consistent
Outdoor advertising A happy customer is a return customer, and word of
Just because we live in a digital world, don’t write off outdoor mouth is a great and free tool available to you. People trust
advertising, like billboards. Choosing a striking image and recommendations from people they know. If you make the best
a few key words with a clear call to action will still get you bacon butty in Ipswich, make sure that it’s the same every time.
noticed. Work with an agency and it won’t necessarily break There is nothing worse than inconsistent service and if your
the budget to make that person at the bus stop realize that it’s customer knows they will always get the same from you, they
been ages since they bought bread from a proper bakery. are likely to not only return, but tell others.

Engage on social media Whatever activity you choose to carry out, the number one rule
There is no getting away from it, we live in a world where is to not get discouraged if your campaign is not an overnight
social media rules. You might as well begin using it to your success. The general rule of thumb is to give it six months to
advantage. To avoid being overwhelmed, choose one or two take root, so stay consistent and you’ll see the rewards for your
platforms to engage on. Twitter is the easiest. Linked in has the hard work.
highest rate of click through to a blog or website. Use photos
and hash tags to get noticed.

Explore SEO
You can use Google Adwords for free to see what people are
searching for in your industry. Consider writing a blog and
using these words to get yourself on the Google ladder. How
to’s get noticed and it’s easier to write about what you know.

We’re proud to be the leading voice of 5.8 million small businesses and self-employed people across the UK, working to
promote and protect your interests.

With 24/7 legal support, nationwide virtual networking events, market-leading benefits and a powerful voice heard in
governments, we’re by your side so you can get it right from day one.

Our start up hub has everything you need to know about starting a business, including
business law basics, finance fundamentals, marketing guidance and how to secure your first
sale.

From start up to scale up, start your business journey with FSB. Find out more and download
our free start up guide today by visiting fsb.org.uk/start.

In 2020 we raised nearly £5,000 for local and
national charities thanks to your donations and
match funding from Pure Offices. We hope to
exceed this target as we progress through 2021
raising money for national charities such as Comic
Relief and smaller local ones closer to our centres.

Sustainability Spotlight

Our journey to becoming a more sustainable business We have also launched a campaign to increase
is well underway and we have appointed a consultant to recycling at our centres to 90% and you will be hearing
help us get closer to being a carbon neutral business. more from your Centre Manager in this regard over the
coming weeks and months.
We are well placed to achieve our goal, we have solar
on the roofs of many of our centres and a target to have
LED lighting at all locations by the end of the year.

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to:

BOILING 56,172,662 KETTLES

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Occupier News

Occupier
News

Kevin Riley Community Hero

Business Growth Specialist Kevin Riley, based in Pure Offices Leamington Spa, has won
a national award for his help and contribution to the local community during the COVID-19
pandemic.

Kevin received a ‘Community Hero’ award on Monday 30th November in recognition of the impact he has had on business owners
since March this year.

The pandemic placed unprecedented strain on businesses across our region, so Kevin and his team sprung to action gifting
coaching sessions to over 750 companies. He said “We’ve all been through a lot this year and there’s still a long way to go,
however, receiving this award is a great way to remember how far we have actually come and what’s been achieved. I’m
extremely proud to be bringing the award home to Leamington and it will be taking pride of place once we get back into the
office.

Kevin coaches business across Leamington, Warwick and Banbury, and for the ActionCOACH Warwick team, with this
award under their belt, they’re determined to make 2021 a year for business owners to remember for all the right reasons.
Congratulations Kevin!

www.warwick.actioncoach.co.uk

Do you have some exciting news you
would like to share with other businesses
in the Pure Offices community? Send your
company news and any related photos or
company logos to [email protected]

A flexible workplace
for everyone

Would you like
to join the Pure
community?

5 easy steps and you are in...

MAKE AN ENQUIRY
Talk to one of our team at your preferred location - discuss prices, inclusive services,
terms and arrange your viewing.
VIEW
Have a tour of the centre to check out the facilities, meet the team and choose your
new office.
COMPLETE CLIENT QUESTIONNAIRE
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and invoice - choose your move-in date at this point.
PAY & SIGN
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and paid - we can hand over the keys.
MOVING DAY!
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the best business communities in the country!