Free virtual offices offer with no strings attached

Hopes that firms will later rent ‘real’ space

By Tony McDonough
Deputy Business Editor, Daily Post

Serviced office provider Your Space is launching today what it claims is the UK’s first free virtual office.
The AIM listed company which recently opened its first Liverpool office centre in Water Street claims the services could save up to £2,000 a year. As well as getting a city centre address to use, the customers will benefit from up to one hours free use per month of conference space and all telephone calls will be answered and forwarded to another fixed line or mobile number without a cost.
There will be a small charge if firms do not pick up their mail within two days and it has to be posted out to them.
Your Space will offer seven addresses across the country including its Il Palazzo centre in Liverpool.
Chief Executive Shaun Mealey said “there are thousands of businesses throughout the UK currently using virtual services costing around £150 per month – and are then charged extra for their forwarded phone calls on top. “We are able to offer this service because of our partnerships with leading telecoms companies and NTL and Cisco systems. The service is without a catch – as long as the client picks up their mail within two days the service remains completely free. There is only a small charge if we need to post it to their home address. “This offer is great news for start up businesses as well as established companies that are looking to move into the city for the first time.
As well as revenue from post not picked up, Your Space also hopes to benefit when the businesses grow and are ready to rent serviced office space. In a trading statement Your Space also said its expansion programme was continuing with new buildings in Newcastle–upon–Tyne, Manchester and Leicester comprising 26,000 sq ft, 37,000 sq ft and 35,000 sq ft respectively. Il Palazzo in Liverpool is located in the former banking hall at 7 Water Street, a Grade II listed Victorian building. It was opened early last year following a major £1M refurbishment. Key features include nine VIP suites on the ground floor plus a 3,000 sq ft central lobby, lined with marble columns.