Glasgow Business . 45 www.glasgowchamberofcommerce.com


reduces further. Te most obvious symptom of constrained supply just now is a reduction in the kind of incentives offered to those who moved quickly last year.” But the city centre is not the


only part of Glasgow offering good options for businesses of all sizes. Several out-of-town developments provide an alternative for businesses whose clients don’t need them to be in the very heart of the city. Rosemount Business Park is


located to the north of the M8, a 15-20 minute walk from the city centre. Executive Director Maureen Flynn says the trust which runs the park is “a landlord with a difference”. “We’re not run for profit, so


any surpluses we make are reinvested in the park – that’s why it looks as good today as when it was built 17 years ago. We’re not right in the city centre, but that means we can offer high-quality, flexible units with atractive asking rentals. We can offer flexible lease periods with 24-hour access and have


high-end security on site, plus free parking. “Of course, it depends on


what businesses are looking for. For example, if they’re an industry where customers expect them to be on hand in the city centre, they’ll need to pay more for that. But I think we offer an atractive alternative for people to consider.” Likewise, Hillington Park to


the west of the city is Scotland’s largest business estate, providing tenants with a safe, well- maintained environment and excellent transport links. Like Rosemont, Hillington trades a city centre location for greater flexibility, in terms of facilities and commercial arrangements. Te past 18 months have seen


a flurry of activity to meet demand for high-quality space, particularly in the city centre. With Grade A space now tight and out-of-town developments vying for atention, time and the prevailing economic winds will determine which way businesses will turn to meet their needs.


Can we run


creativity on tap?


Aside from providing free coffee, changes to office space may not be the most obvious way to improve worker productivity. Yet architect NBBJ has devised software which claims to test alternative office floor plans to decide the most productive layout. The software goes beyond


obvious ideas of efficiency – ensuring teams are located close to each other, for example – to create spaces where “serendipitous” meetings between colleagues are made possible. So, while the obvious layout might be one where employees don’t have to walk far to the bathroom, the software may treat a trip


to the loo as an opportunity for interaction.


The idea isn’t revolutionary,


having long been used by progressive and successful technology companies, including Apple and Facebook, which place a high value on spontaneous brainstorming between colleagues. However, experts warn that layout alone won’t turn taciturn employees into creative masterminds, and that a genuine culture of innovation and free thought is also required. So, next time you’re popping


to the loo with your eyes down and your head in the clouds, remember you could be wasting a golden opportunity.


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