While we are not currently or directly looking for a new location, it is always good to keep an eye on locations options and opportunities.

25/08/19 Update: Actually, we kinda are: See archive email

This page is intended to be treated only as background research and not as any plan or intent - just a crowd sourced brainstorm thing. It may however serve as the information source for a move decision at some point.

General notes…

• The Engage space is around 37 sq.m / 400 sq.ft, the Union St space was perhaps 20 sq.m / 215 sq.ft.
• An ideal budget would be around ~£4000 p/a, as that is what we've typically been able to sustain.
• All affordable places will be below the threshold for paying business rates

It seemed like a good idea to have a sort of scoring scheme to evaluate places relative to each other, based on a set of criteria. Something like…

Arbitrary rating:

• Geographical location:
• Amount of space:
• Suitability of space:
• Cost:
• Landlord arrangement:
• Inital work required:
• Total: N out of 30

…out of five.

Some of these values can be less arbitrary, like…

Cost:

• 1 star: £600 → £800
• 2 star: £400 → £600
• 3 star: £200 → £400
• 4 star: £0 → £200
• 5 star: free

Amount of space:

• 1 star: 0 → 15 m2
• 2 star: 15 → 30 m2
• 3 star: 30 → 45 m2
• 4 star: 45 → 60 m2
• 5 star: 60 + m2

This is intended to be very much a collaborative document, please add your thoughts and any location ideas or tips.

Added: 12 July 19, by AG

The property comprises 2 single storey flat roofed mid-terrace and adjacent end-terrace shop units of reinforce concrete and brick construction which have been converted to provide office accommodation. No. 154 has a basement area accessed by stairs, which is serviced by an access road. Internally the premises currently provides 3 offices, a reception office, a waiting area, toilet accommodation and tea preparation area at ground floor level and a store, office and toilet facilities in the basement.

Ground Floor Office with Basement. Total area: 83.41 sq.m / 898 sq.ft, ground floor: 58.49 sq.m / 630 sq.ft, basement 24.92 sq.m / 268 sq.ft, Delivery Access to the Rear.

Cost: Offers invited over £6,000 p/a (£500 p/m)

https://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/services/business-and-licensing/property-search/152-154-gallowgate

https://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/media/6022

152-154_gallowgate.pdf

Arbitrary rating:

• Geographical location: *
• Amount of space: *
• Suitability of space: _
• Cost: _ * Landlord arrangement: * * Inital work required: _ * Total: 23 out of 30 AG, 30 Aug: Reply for request for viewing… This property is in the process of being let so unable to do any viewing at the minute.However it has taken longer than usual so of it falls through then I'd be happy to get in touch to arrange a viewing. Im expecting a conclusion either way in the next 2 weeks, at which time I can contact you to see if you would still wish to view if it becomes available. …so it's probably a no-go. ====== Unit H (part of), Kettock Lodge, Bridge of Don ====== Added: 24 Aug 19, by EW Full address: Units G&H, Kettock Lodge, 2 Campus Two, Balgownie Dr, Bridge of Don, Aberdeen, AB22 8GU The top floor of an office building, used with agreement from a local charity and possibly shared with others in terms of storage. The size available is suggested to be on the scale of an average community hall going of descriptions given. If occupying for a longer term, the general idea is that we could establish areas in this space ie. a clean area, a working area, a space for storage etc. We would have to build non-destructive walls for divisions between space areas. If occupying for a shorter term, we'd use the space to store whilst looking at other locations and possibly use the opportunity to organise our equipment/occupying with the good light and space the location has to offer. They have an Internet connection but trunk cable would need to be rerouted. We can have door access to the building with a code, and maybe 1 key for the actual space. Sizes, estimated… * Suite G 201 m2 * Suite H 687 m2 Mail chat… * http://lists.57north.co/pipermail/57north-ctte/2019-August/000285.html * http://lists.57north.co/pipermail/57north-discuss/2019-September/003337.html * http://lists.57north.co/pipermail/57north-announce/2019-September/000485.html innovation-park-kettock-lodge-brochure-updated-august-2019.pdf Arbitrary rating: * Geographical location: * * Amount of space: * * Suitability of space: * * Cost: _ * Landlord arrangement: _ * Inital work required: * * Total: 22 out of 30 ====== 3 Thistle Lane, Aberdeen ====== Added: 15 July 19, by AG Smart Self Contained West End Office building on Thistle Lane, Aberdeen is new to the market and now available to rent. New Decor and carpet fitted, quiet location in city centre with parking permit avail from ACC, Overlooks a Garden. Must be seen, Viewings avail now. Internally the property comprises entrance lobby (about 1.5m x 1.5m), office (5.85m x 2.7m) and single WC (about 1.5m x 2m). 20.05 sq.m / 216 sq.ft Cost: £300 p/m (£3,600 p/a) https://www.gumtree.com/p/commercial-property-to-rent/self-contained-office-studio-on-thistle-lane-aberdeen.-/1340070294 http://fgburnett.co.uk/property/aberdeen-city/aberdeen/thistle-lane/ http://www.lettsproperties.com/property.htm?ID=23734 aberdeen-3-thistle-lane.pdf Note from Andy: I went to view this on the 28th of August and was shown round by Cliff from Letts & Co. Some notes from that viewing… * The space is good in that it's one big room, that would be flexible in terms of dividing it up into zones, but it is not so big, at (5.85m x 2.7m, 15.795 m2). IN practive this is not much bigger than the main room in the Engage space (5.7m x 2.6m) but it feels a lot bigger I guess because it is lighter and less cluttered. * The place is in good condition, with new-ish paint, good lighting and a new carpet. * It is nice and light, but still quite private, with most of the windows facing east overlooking the garden of the neighbouring tenement. * There are around 4 electric heaters * The windows are double glazed * There are plenty of plug sockets, also a phone socket * It is below the threshold for rates, so the only bills would be electricity and phone/internet * It is owned by the Letts & Co, they have at least one other non-profit tenant and sounded like they'd be a fair and reliable landlord. * We can get one, maybe two, resident's parking permits from ACC which I think are £40 p/a * Although there are adjoining buildings, I think it's just a garage and a shed, so little risk of noise complaints * It is good in terms of disabled access, as far as I can tell, from my limited knowledge of physical accessibility best practice. There is only a small step to enter the space, not sure if the WC entrance is wide enough for a wheelchair. View shonky video tour Arbitrary rating: * Geographical location: * * Amount of space: _ * Suitability of space: * * Cost: * * Landlord arrangement: * * Inital work required: _ * Total: 22 out of 30 Note, this has now been taken by a friend of Andy's. Small world :) ====== 38 Union Terrace Gardens ====== Added: 6 Aug 19, by AG from DH 2 Rooms, 29.7 Sq m / 319.7 Sq ft, £400 p/m. First month rent would not be charged if we confirm over week-starting 26/08/19. View video tour Arbitrary rating: * Geographical location: * * Amount of space: _ * Suitability of space: _ * Cost: * * Landlord arrangement: * * Inital work required: _ * Total: 21 out of 30 ====== 22 Menzies Road, Torry ====== Added: 4 July 19, by AG The subjects comprise the ground and basement level of a traditionally constructed terraced tenement building of which the upper floors are of residential use. Internally, the subjects comprise a well-proportioned sales area, kitchen/storeroom and a unisex accessible WC. The generous basement store is accessed off a communal stairway. The subjects comprise the ground and basement level of a traditionally constructed terraced tenement building of which the upper floors are of residential use. Internally, the subjects comprise a well-proportioned sales area, kitchen /storeroom and a unisex accessible WC. The generous basement store is accessed off a communal stairway. Zone A 34.37 Sq m / 370 Sq ft, Basement 30.29 Sq m / 326 Sq ft. Cost: £4,000 p/a (£333 p/m) https://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/services/business-and-licensing/property-search/22-menzies-road https://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/media/7909 22_menzies_road_torry.pdf Arbitrary rating: * Geographical location: * * Amount of space: * * Suitability of space: * * Cost: * * Landlord arrangement: *__ * Inital work required: **_ * Total: 21 out of 30 ======= Possibles ======= ====== 27 Rosemount Viaduct ====== Shop just next to the tattoo shop. 79 m2 £708 p/m https://www.shepherd.co.uk/commercial/property/details/4078 27_rosemount_viaduct.pdf ====== 108 Crown St ====== Aberdeen city centre first floor self contained office unit with parking. This self contained office unit which could easily accommodate 3 - 4 people within granite end terraced office building in the heart of Aberdeen City is available for let. The accommodation is a first floor front office unit and has one off-street parking space. 25.4 sq m / 273 sq ft £365 p/m https://www.gumtree.com/p/commercial-property-to-rent/aberdeen-city-centre-first-floor-self-contained-office-unit-with-parking/1229596753 ====== 278 George St ====== Large shop consisting of front shop with rear toilet, and basement store at 278 George Street, which is a busy part of town with lots of passing trade. This would be suitable for retail or office space. Looks like a large bright shop, formerly the Piotr & Pawel Polish Deli. Based on the photos, and guessing that the ceiling tiles are 60cm square seemed worth a try, but the photos are not really clear enough. ??? sq m / ??? sq ft £600 p/m https://www.gumtree.com/p/commercial-property-to-rent/shop-278-george-street-ab25-1hl-/1352148247 ====== 41 Regent Quay ====== Basement, possibly not suitable really. 111 sq m / 1196 sq ft £2500 p/a https://www.novaloca.com/commercial-property/to-let/aberdeen/basement-/165396?search=true# 41_regent_quay.pdf ====== 37 Dee Street ====== Ground floor suite. 41.6 sq m / 448 sq ft £6500 p/a + VAT https://www.novaloca.com/office-space/to-let/aberdeen/37-dee-street/152849?search=true# 37_dee_street.pdf ====== 23 Balnagask Road ====== Retail unit in a parade between Torry and Kincorth. 36.06 sq m / 388 sq ft £450 p/m, £5400 p/a + VAT https://www.novaloca.com/retail-premises/to-let/aberdeen/23-balnagask-road/159744?search=true 23_balnagask_road.pdf ====== 35 Urquhart Road ====== Comprises a ground floor and basement end terraced corner property. Not in the city centre, but just off king st, so good for transport, also close to the Uni. 56.06 sq m / 603 sq ft. Ground floor 31.03 sq m / 334 sq ft, Basement 25.03 sq m / 269 sq ft £500 p/m / £6000 p/a https://www.rightmove.co.uk/commercial-property-to-let/property-73835414.html 35_urquhart_road.pdf ====== 137 Holburn Street, Aberdeen ====== Added: 15 July 19, by AG Ground floor office/retail unit. Internally, the space incorporates suspended timber flooring to the ground floor whilst the walls and ceilings consist of plasterboard design with a painted finish. Previously the space was laid out as a cafe with space for between 10 - 17 covers and has also been used as an office with a two desks in the rear room and a two desks in the front room. A W.C. can be found within the subjects which benefit from modern ceramic fittings. There is a basement which can be accessed from a hatch in the rear kitchen area. 277 Sq Ft / 25 Sq M. Cost £6,000 p/a (£500 p/m) https://www.novaloca.com/office-space/to-let/aberdeen/137-holburn-street/148101 137_holburn_street.pdf ====== 38 Victoria Road, Torry ====== Added: 8 Aug 19, by AG This is ideal for a new start up business. Front shop with large display window, back office and a W.C. £350 p/m https://www.gumtree.com/p/commercial-property-to-rent/38-victoria-road-torry-aberdeen.-shop-available-soon-to-rent./1348558524 ====== Unit 7, 109 Urquhart Road ====== Added: 4 July 19, by AG The property is located just off King Street, one of Aberdeen’s main arteria roads. It lies to the North East of the city centre approximately 1km north of Union Street. The property has most recently been used as a gym (Use Class 11). It offers space suitable for several purposes, however, interested parties should note that Change of Use with Aberdeen City Council Planning Department would be required for any other use than a gym. The accommodation comprises mid-terraced industrial unit together with ancillary office space, kitchen, WC. Just near Transition Extreme. Cost: £8,500 p/a (£708 p/m) https://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/services/business-and-licensing/property-search/unit-7-109-urquhart-road ====== 248 North Balnagask Road, Torry ====== Added: 4 July 19, by AG The property comprises a single storey shop unit with residential accommodation above. The property has access to car parking. The accommodation comprises the front shop, kitchen/staff area, and toilet. https://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/services/business-and-licensing/property-search/248-north-balnagask-road https://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/media/6866 248_n_balnagask_road.pdf ======= To investigate ======= ====== Formerly know as Doctor Drakes ====== Shiprow near PureGym. It has a flat felt roof, closure in ~2005, more details to be added. Jim Ewen, Director of The Anatomy Rooms was the managing director of Dr Drakes, according to https://www.abdn.ac.uk/news/8264/ http://drownedinsound.com/news/11264-dr-drakes-closes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NnV7o6fX3Sc ====== Deemouth Business Centre ====== Added: 15 July 19, by AG Deemouth Business Centre is a small business park just across the river in Torry. There are a selection of units around a courtyard. They have a lot of units, or various sizes, so it might be good in that we could stay in the same place and adjust our capacity as required. Cost: ? https://www.cromdale.com/deemouth/ https://www.gumtree.com/p/commercial-property-to-rent/self-contained-office-studio-on-thistle-lane-aberdeen.-/1340070294 deemouth-floor-plans-july-2016.pdf ======= Ruled Out =======