Office Space News
Abbey Demonstrates Versatility of Serviced Office Space
Published March 1st, 2010 by Jennifer LeClaire
Abbey Business Centres just inked a high profile serviced office deal. The British executive suites company is leasing 1,250 square feet of office space at the iconic Gherkin building to Sky News for two years.
Sky News will use the office space as a studio to air “Jeff Randall Live,” the broadcaster’s flagship business program. Julie Calder, managing director at Abbey Business Centers, explains that Sky News’ non-traditional use of serviced office space is a prime illustration of just how flexible business centers can be in the quest to provide commercial solutions.
“Sky News was particularly impressed by The Gherkin itself and the view from its base on the 15th floor. I think this gives out a message that there is a place for the serviced office package within iconic structures,” Calder says. “We are absolutely delighted to welcome Sky News and hope to regularly bump into celebrities from the world of business.”
Advantage Sky News
Why did Sky News choose an Abbey serviced office facility at the Gherkin? Several reasons. First, this strategic location will give Sky News better access to key city decision makers. That makes it easier for the broadcaster’s business journalists to conduct interviews. Second, the studio offers a convenient location for guests who visit the studio to broadcast live with Jeff Randal and the Sky News team. Third, the location lets Sky News air the latest business news from the heart of the city.
In short, locating at Abbey Business Centres’ Gherkin serviced office location gives Sky News a competitive advantage because none of the other United Kingdom TV broadcasters has a dedicated broadcasting base in the urban core. What’s more, because of this location viewers will have a panoramic view of London towards Westminster, overlooking Tower 42, St Paul’s Cathedral and the new Heron Tower.
“The City of London is at the heart of the UK economy, it’s where the banking crisis happened and it’s where the key players – from monetary policy makers to top executives and analysts – are based,” says Chris Birkett, executive editor for Sky News. “The new studio will provide Sky News viewers with a visually stunning backdrop for business news, and with the launch of the HD channel in the spring, it will bring them even closer to the business stories that matter to them.”
Serviced Office Versatility
So far as the Sky News deal goes, I agree with Calder. It demonstrates the versatility of executive office suites. Who would have ever thought a television broadcaster would choose a serviced office facility to build out a studio?
Because of what’s involved in setting up a television studio, I imagine that Sky News will be leasing Abbey Business Centre office space for the long haul. The lease may be only two years, but that is probably to give Abbey the chance to raise office rental rates when the economy recovers rather than to give Sky News a way out. It seems Sky News has hit on a grand idea to differentiate itself. Unless it somehow fails miserably, I wouldn’t expect the television broadcaster to leave this office space any time soon.
In fact, I am quite sure that other local television broadcasters are waiting and watching to see how this works out for Sky News. It’s very possible that Abbey Business Centres could have Sky News’ competitors knocking on their door asking for office space in The Gherkin.
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Jonathan Price March 1st, 2010 at 8:55 am
A pity that you repeat the claim about other broadcasters, which is not true, as Bloomberg TV have been in the City for years.
Elizabeth Sanchez March 1st, 2010 at 9:05 am
I find it odd that Abbey would flat out lie about this. There must be some distinguishing factor that makes it true, or we should be very concerned about anything else Abbey tells us. I remember visiting John Welsey’s house in London and that’s near Finsbury Square, where Bloomberg is. I don’t remember seeing The Gherkin, but maybe I just didn’t notice because of the rain.
Bill Brookshire March 1st, 2010 at 9:22 am
The Gherkin is an amazing office location. I don’t know exactly where Bloomberg is, but unless they are overlooking the city like Sky News does now, it doesn’t offer the same backdrop and therefore gives Sky an advantage from that perspective. I agree that if Abbey is putting out false information, they should be called out.
Jennifer – can you ask Abbey to clarify this?
Jennifer LeClaire March 1st, 2010 at 9:43 am
I will reach out to Abbey, for sure. I tend not to republish marketing claims that are merely fluff and puff in these blog postings. I didn’t think Abbey Business Centres would send out information that just isn’t true. If they did this knowingly, that would definitely be cause for concern. Thanks to Jonathan for pointing it out. We always appreciate watchdogs — especially ones on the ground in London where Abbey is doing business.
James Finch March 1st, 2010 at 11:01 am
Whilst it is clear that Bloomberg do indeed broadcast from the centre of London, their London base (postcode / zip = EC2A 1PQ) is located just outside the boundary of the City of London as this map shows:
http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/3F26C5E3-9855-46EB-8B3A-CCA5BF4C4C28/0/mainmapcrop.gif
It seems the original quote has been distorted somewhat.
Hopefully that clears everything up
Mike Sullivan March 1st, 2010 at 11:05 am
James – I couldn’t tell from viewing this map that it was outside the boundary, but I trust that it is true.
Thanks for the clarification.
Jennifer LeClaire March 1st, 2010 at 11:07 am
Thanks for clarifying, James. I was confident that there was some sound explanation. I appreciate you getting back to us so quickly.
James Finch March 1st, 2010 at 11:11 am
Mike: not a problem
Jennifer: i shouldn’t take all the credit for my quick reply – our friend ‘Google Alert’ should also get a mention!
Jonathan Price March 1st, 2010 at 11:36 am
Well I didn’t really mean to claim that Bloomberg was within the boundaries of the City Corporation, as I am sure that the PR person who wrote that bit of fluff in the first place was not being so pedantic. They surely meant to claim that Sky was the first broadcasting studio in the City financial district, which is of course wrong. (Not a lie Jennifer, as that would imply that Abbey had done it deliberately, which of course they hadn’t – just some PR person not checking their facts).
But the denouement is that after all Bloomberg is within the City boundaries, because they are on the south side of Finsbury Square, which as the City Corporation’s own website clearly shows is in the City.