SOPEXA
CLIENT BRIEFSopexa UK is a marketing and PR agency specialising in food and wine. It is part of Sopexa Group, the benchmark agency specialising in food, wine and lifestyle with…
CLIENT BRIEFSopexa UK is a marketing and PR agency specialising in food and wine. It is part of Sopexa Group, the benchmark agency specialising in food, wine and lifestyle with offices in 26 countries worldwide. Having successfully generated cash for Sopexa by appealing their business rates over two Rating Lists and relocating the business in 2009, we stepped in and offered our services when Sopexa’s lease was coming up for expiry in early 2014. The brief was challenging: identify, negotiate and secure good quality offices against a tight timescale, whilst mitigating increases to the annual operating budget compared to the current occupied real estate. Our biggest challenge was that the deal we did for Sopexa in 2009 was too good!
OUR PROFESSIONAL APPROACHOur first step was to inspect the current facility and define the true requirements for Sopexa’s new London office. We took the following into consideration: Access to clients and for staff. This quickly established the Southbank (SE1) as a better location than the current office near Chancery Lane Issues with the current office. Although the rent was very competitive, there were issues with the lifts, the windows and the HVAC in the Chancery Lane office. Minimal management time was a priority for the new space. Headcount Analysis. We challenged the existing working practices so that the right floor area could be assumed for the market search phase of the project. With the requirement defined, challenged and, finally, ratified, we searched the market for suitable relocation candidate properties. This was a real challenge in a market that was rapidly evolving to favour landlords: low vacancy, high demand and rising rents. Ultimately, we, and, more importantly, Sopexa are very pleased with the outcome.
THE SUCCESS STORYThrough a rigorous search of Southbank availability we identified Trident House, 46 Webber Street, SE1, and arranged the inspection. The landlord advised that there was genuine interest from another two prospective tenants and that, to be considered, Sopexa had to move quickly. Terms were agreed on Christmas Eve 2013 with solicitors instructed early in January. Sopexa has been in their new London home since March 2014 and they are very happy with the space.
THE VERDICT“ask-re took our very exacting requirements on board and found the perfect property in record time. I would have no hesitation in recommending ask-re’s services to companies considering an office move.” Anne Burchett, Chairman, Sopexa UK