Needspace? Flexible workspaces with a boost of character

Jon Dickman, Managing Director of Needspace? Ltd, talks to Sarah Dale about operating in a competitive market, and how their flexible workspaces across London and the South East are supporting the changing needs of small businesses.

Needspace? was founded in 2005 when flexible working was a niche market with fewer competitors.

It is part of the Wates Group - one of the UK’s leading family-owned development, building and property maintenance companies, founded over 125 years ago. Needspace? provides businesses with a workspace – which can be an office, workshop or studio – that is flexible, affordable and customisable.

The company also loves buildings which are full of character and in locations with great transport links - from a Grade II listed church to a former auction house. They are located in Clapham and Earlsfield, as well as in Clerkenwell, Crawley, Hammersmith, Horsham and Islington, and house 140 companies across the seven sites.

Earlsfield Business Centre is a “light, airy and lively building” offering a mix of office, workshop and studio space for businesses of all sizes and types.

Located just off Garratt Lane, the bustling hub is located within easy reach of Earlsfield centre and Wandsworth. It is a five-minute walk from Earlsfield Station and 12 minutes by train from London Waterloo.

Clapham North Arts Centre is close to both Clapham High Street and Clapham North stations and 10 minutes from Waterloo by Tube. It is a “unique building with lots of character” in a “vibrant” location near one of the largest green spaces south of the river.

Jon Dickman joined Needspace? as Operations Director in April 2021, having originally joined the parent company, Wates Group, as a Special Projects Director in February 2020.

“We understand businesses’ need for flexibility and provide business space for SMEs to grow and contract when needed,” says Jon.

“We provide offices, workshops and studio space that can be personlised. We have gyms and recording studios, artists’ studios as well as office space. We have 140 companies across our sites and size ranges from a two-person office space to our biggest, which is Oliver’s Travels – who provide luxury villa holidays with properties in Italy and France – which has about 100 staff at the Clapham site.

“We’re not budget; we’re good value. We have had some businesses with us for 10 years and over 50 per cent have been with us for two years or more.”

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Paintings in Hospitals have been based at the Business Centre since May 2021. During that time, we have been very impressed by the service we have received from the staff of the Centre who go above and beyond to help and assist, from taking deliveries to welcoming guests in reception and ensuring that the building runs smoothly. We have been impressed by the recent building improvements at the centre, creating a friendly working environment in break out spaces. The atmosphere is positive and friendly.

Sandra Bruce-Gordon, CEO, Paintings in Hospital customisable space in a building full of character. Our centre managers are onsite and provide excellent customer sevice which we don’t shout about enough”

Needspace? has a team of 10 comprising Jon, a Finance Manager, Sales Manager, Property Manager and six Centre Managers. Five of the sites have a dedicated Centre Manager whereas Horsham and Crawley share one.

Covid was “pretty tough” for the firm and occupancy levels fell during the pandemic.

“But in early 2022, there was definitely an uplift in enquiries and occupancy improved and slowly built up,” says Jon.

We operate in a competitive market now. Where we stand out is we offer value for money and can provide a customisable space in a building full of character.

Needspace? is on the lookout for new buildings to acquire in Zones 2 and 3 to add to their portfolio and have also been busy refurbishing their existing properties for current clients and prospective ones. As well as a lick of paint and some new signage, new break out areas have been introduced to some of the sites as demand has grown for a communal space to sit and chat together during a break or exchange ideas over a business plan.

“We buy freehold; we like to buy our own buildings and we like characterful properties that we can easily divide up into separate workspaces,” explains Jon, who moves across all seven sites but can be usually found at Earlsfield or Crawley.

“We have recently refurbished our Earlsfield Centre and created a new reception and break-out area. This is a result of our ambition to update our centres to attract a variety of occupiers from individuals to more established corporate entities.”

Needspace? is a new member of Wandsworth Chamber of Commerce.

“We joined because we realised that we provide a service locally, but we don’t blow our own trumpet about what we offer and how we can help other businesses,” says Jon.

“A lot of people don’t know that we’re here, so we want to increase our visibility. We can provide that personal touch to local businesses.”

For more information about flexible office/studio space, visit www.needspace.co.uk or email: edward.snowdon@needspace.co.uk

Needspace? … feel like an extension of our team rather than our landlords and, as the leader of a small charity, this takes away a great deal of stress and allows me to focus our support on those who need our services the most.

Chloe, CEO, London Training and Employment Network

“Prior to joining Needspace?, I was a partner in a medium-sized business and I was at the point in my career where I wanted to do something different. I resigned just before Covid, so it’s been an interesting journey. When I first joined, I could see the niche market of offering flexible workspace to businesses, but Covid was a gamechanger and more flexible workspaces have opened.

“We operate in a competitive market now. Where we stand out is we offer value for money and can provide a