Archive:New Space Search 2012

We're looking for a new space to move in once we've made the switch to a charity and got some savings in the bank. We won't be in such a rush to move as last time.

The right space could allow us to run things such as a permanent licensed bar, which could be a boon to the community and also increase our revenue.

Requirements

Cost

As a charity we will become eligible for both an 80% mandatory rates discount from the council, and Gift Aid. Combined with a continued rate of growth we will hopefully see an increase in recurring revenue from the current level of £4,800/month to around £6,000/month.

High level requirements

• At least 3000 sqft
• In Zone 1 or 2
• B1 or B2 use class
• Price less than £70,000/year (inc. service charge & VAT)
• No more than 0.5 miles to a tube station

Possible requirements (wishlist)

We won't be able to satisfy all of these, but the more the better.

• Enough floor space for separate storage (at least 50% larger than current member storage area)
• Possibility of creating separate metal work & wood workshops with attached materials room (whether shared or individual)
• Kitchen space
• At least as much floor space if not more to be used for quiet room & desk space
• toilets (inc disabled access)
• ideally some sort of shower room (or room that can be made thus)
• several smaller rooms that can be made custom use eg fab room for 3D printers & laser cutter, bio hacking room, soldering room. All though these could be cubicles/ partitions to a larger space.
• somewhere secure for bikes
• usable outside area; ideally large enough for firing trebuchet/rockets/pigs.
• convenient parking for motorbikes, cars, etc

Non-functional requirements

• Friendly landlord
• Easy access, preferably ground floor

Advanced planning

Move

Moving will be an enormous task, and will take at least an entire weekend (and probably a week's worth of time in preparation).

Build-out of new space

There's no guarantee that any location we find will have all the amenities we need, so it's likely we'll have to budget for things such as fitting the kitchen, installing partitions, installing new flooring. Fortunately we should have a decent level of cash on hand.

Leaving Cremer Street

We need to return the two units to how they were when we arrived, which will require quite a bit of work.