Word of mouth: Your own personal contacts may be able to suggest or refer you to suitable space. Recommendations from other creative people are invaluable.
Business support agencies: Agencies like Business Link and other Enterprise Agencies may be able to refer you to local sources of information.
Internet: A huge source of information is readily available on the Internet.
- CIDA: www.cida.co.uk
- Artquest: www.artquest.org.uk
- A-N: www.anweb.co.uk/l_04_e3/e3c04.htm
Arts E-Newsletters: There are various arts e-newsletter which contain details of available studio spaces.
- Arts Admin: www.artsadmin.co.uk/information/edigest.htm
- CIDA: www.cida.co.uk
- Creative Lewisham Agency: www.creativelewishamagency.org.uk
- Arts News: www.artscouncil.org.uk
Studio Providers: Most studio providers have a waiting list so make sure that you get your details onto these lists as soon as possible. Have a look at the studio providers list on the CSA website for more information and contact details.
Advertising: Why not try advertising in shop windows or put a call out in arts newsletters you never know who may read it!
Walking and/or cycling around an area: If you have identified an area you wish to be in, it is invaluable to walk or cycle around it to get a feel for the property available. Buy the local paper, write down the names and telephone numbers from commercial estate agents boards, talk to shopkeepers etc.
Agents: Commercial estate agents operate all over the country. There will always be some working in the area you are looking at. They are instructed by Landlords to find tenants for empty space. While they do not usually deal with small scale creative space, if they do not have space to let they are very good sources of information on rent levels.
Viewing space: Create a checklist before viewing any space. Your checklist should include all your basic requirements, which you should have already identified.
- First impressions count!
- Location
- Security - security personnel, secured doors/windows, alarm system etc.
- Health & Safety regulations
- Services (shared and within the studio/space)
Landlords: Always do your research on them - find out who your landlord is and research their reputation. Speak to other tenants.
- Check the types of legal agreement they use as well as their terms.
- Can you break the contract? Or can they?
- How long is the contract for?
- How is the rent varied?
- What other charges are there (service charge, power, VAT, water, rates)?
Other considerations:
- Do your research
- State YOUR terms
- Get confirmation from landlord
- Contract - check the small print BEFORE signing (and try to get legal or other professional advice to avoid being caught in something you need not be caught in an onerous contract you cannot break
And finally.......
Negotiating with a landlord or their agent: There is no formula for this. While you can always ask, beware that naive approaches are not wise (forget asking for "no rent in exchange for good PR"). Try to understand things from a landlords' point of view (they are taking a risk on you whilst running a business) and try to learn and understand some property language.
Lease negotiations can be very complex and unless you agree a split in advance, landlords will try to charge you their legal costs.
