Office Space News
Abbey’s Managing Director Gives Up Office Space
Published May 20th, 2010 by Jennifer LeClaire
While Regus earnings get hit by what it describes as ‘lost momentum’ in the United Kingdom recovery, one Scotland serviced office provider is reporting an increased demand for its office space in Edinburgh.
James Finch, an online marketing executive over at Abbey Business Centres, reached out to me on Wednesday with an interesting take on the demand for serviced office space there.
In case you aren’t familiar with Abbey, the company opened is doors in 1998 with a business center in Glasgow. Today, Abbey has serviced office space, virtual offices and meeting rooms in 13 locations across the United Kingdom.
Anyway, Finch pointed out how the serviced office industry likes to emphasize that flexibility is one of its key assets. (He’s right. It’s one of those industry buzzwords you hear over and over again.) Abbey Business Centres had a chance to prove the point—from within its executive ranks.
Finch shared with me the story of how Julie Calder, the managing director of Abbey Business Centres, has had to put her office where her mouth is, so to speak. Calder, who is also the chairman of the Business Centres Association, took the word “flexibility” quite literally when demand for executive office suites forced her to give up her cozy office abode.
Indeed, the demand for serviced office space at Abbey Business Centres’ 30,000-square foot facility on Princes Street, Edinburgh has been so great that Calder was forced to vacate her office space there and work from home in the Blackhall district of the city.
Although Calder hopes to return to her normal workspace soon, somehow, I don’t think she’s complaining about this short-term change. She’s probably using some of the virtual office technologies that Abbey offers . She’s probably loving working from home. And she’s probably thrilled that the serviced office facility she manages is performing so well.
Is it time for Abbey Business Centres to expand? Perhaps. Or it could be a temporary influx of serviced office customers. One thing is certain, Abbey just proved it could be flexible—even to the point of kicking out its managing director to accommodate customers.
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Bill Brookshire May 20th, 2010 at 8:40 am
What a neat story. Thanks for sharing it. Abbey seems like a company that can weave a good story about their serviced office space success, which breeds more serviced office spaces success. An interesting comparison you make as well between Regus and Abbey. I think Abbey has so much less risk because they only have about a dozen serviced office facilities.
Elizabeth Sanchez May 20th, 2010 at 9:45 am
Looks like Calder has it going on. As head of the association and also managing director of a serviced office facility that’s overflowing with clients, she’s doing something right. Maybe some smaller operators in the U.S. should ask her what her secret serviced office sauce is. I bet she has a lot of good advice to share.