Six Tips for Finding Your Dream Workspace

21 August 2025

Georgia-Kaye Berry, Colony’s Head of Sales, shares her top tips for choosing your dream workspace.

Your workspace is often the first impression you’ll make on clients and future employees. It also plays a direct role in your team’s productivity and your business’s overall success. That’s why choosing the right one is among the most important decisions you’ll face as a business owner.

“I need a new office, but where the hell do I start?!” - sound familiar?

As a gal who’s been in the commercial property industry for 10 years, I like to think I know a thing or two when it comes to flexible workspaces and coworking.

If you're new to this as a business - whether you're looking for your first-ever office, moving to a new city, or switching from a conventional workspace to a serviced one - it can feel like a bit of a minefield. And no one wants their final decision to blow up in their face!

So, where do you begin?

I’ve pulled together my top tips to help you take that first step toward finding your dream workspace.

Private Office - Colony Flint Glass Works

Location, Location, Location!

Now I’m no Kirsty & Phil but the basics of any search starts here.

Always prioritise accessibility for both clients and staff. Think about proximity to transport links and good walking routes.

With many businesses now returning to the office more days a week or - even full-time - making the commute as stress-free as possible can make a big difference to employee satisfaction.

Next, consider what's nearby. Are there any cafés, shops, restaurants, bars or gyms?

At Colony, we partner with a wide range of Manchester businesses, including those neighbouring our workspaces, and our members get exclusive discounts through our Colony Card.

Size, growth plans and flexibility

Are you a team of 20 with a hybrid working model, meaning no more than 10 people are in the office at once? Then don’t pay for more space than you need!

At Colony, you can work in whatever way suits you best - even if that means giving all 20 employees fobs while only renting a 10-person office and rotating usage.

On the other hand, if you're planning to grow in the next six months, you might need a bigger office soon. While our contracts offer flexibility to upgrade, sometimes it’s easier to start in a larger space and avoid the hassle of moving later. We can even get creative with step pricing models - meaning your rent increases in line with your growth.

Not sure where the business will be year-to-year? Serviced offices are a great option, with commitments starting from just 6-12 months, giving you maximum flexibility.

Private Office - Colony Jactin House

Think about what you need from your office space

Will a few desks and chairs in a basic building do the trick? Or do you want to build your brand presence and impress both staff and clients in a professional, well-designed environment?

If you’re a larger team and want control over your fit-out and layout, our in-house design team can help you create the perfect workspace.

Need meeting rooms, phone booths, collaboration zones, breakout areas and outdoor space? Our buildings come with all of the above, meaning you’ll get even more for your money.

On to what matters the most to me - the vibes!

You know when you walk into a space and it just feels right?

If you want your business and team to thrive, being in a workspace that matches your vibe is key.

Whether you're drawn to a space with character and history or prefer something more corporate and refined, your workspace should reflect your business's personality.

Colony has eight venues, each with its own unique little ecosystem, so we’re confident one will be the right fit for you.

Private Office - Colony Flint Glass Works

Research and reviews

Do your homework! Google is one click away. If you already have a rough idea of the kind of space you want and in a particular location (Ancoats, for example), get online and start researching.