Author: Chelliah Nakeeran

Chancellor Rishi Sunak is to present a Budget promising one of the biggest investments in Infrastructure to its highest levels in decades.

The chancellor is quoted as saying, ‘”We have listened and will now deliver on our promise to level up the UK, ensuring everyone has the same chances and opportunities in life, wherever they live.

“By investing historic amounts in British innovation and world-class infrastructure, we will rebalance opportunities and lay the foundations for a decade of growth for everybody.”

So with increased investment in capital projects, how does this affect the growing legions of remote workers who rely on the said infrastructure, to go about working in the UK’s towns and cities?

To put a figure on it, the Government is promising a spend of over £600bn over the five year parliament, according to the UK treasury.

Although this may sound significant, for many remote workers, struggling with the daily grind of motorway queues, train delays or cancellations and increasingly difficult journeys to and from their places of work, they can’t be blamed for viewing the news with some scepticism.

Add the additional complexities brought about by the current outbreak of Coronavirus, it’s no wonder that for many commuters and remote teams (as well as their employers) they are looking for new solution to circumnavigate these issues the 2020 Budget is attempting to solve.

One of the increasing trends amongst UK businesses is that of allowing their employees to work from home for either the whole, or part of their working week.

Whilst this can alleviate the strain of an overcrowded and inefficient capital infrastructure, it is not always the perfect solution, as some jobs just need a physical on-site presence and not all domestic environments are suitable or conducive to effective working.

The UK Budget, with its increased commitment to both physical infrastructure as well as both faster internet connectivity, coverage and reliability, all sounds good, but the fact is that any rollout of this scale will take months, if not years to come to any fruition, with many workers already very disillusioned with the status quo and the prospect of any real improvement as travel only seems to be worse across the UK.

One of the approaches, with perhaps most potential for allowing workers to increase their efficiency and productivity is the growing trend of utilising coworking spaces, closer to where workers live.

Coworking has the benefit of allowing remote workers to cut down on their daily commuting distance, yet for them to still access business-grade work premises with reliable high speed WiFi, that allows easier daily access and reduces the stress of long commutes into city centres.

One of the innovators in the virtual office space, LowCost LetterBox has anticipated this trend amongst workers and is growing its provision into both city centres and outlying regions to satisfy the growing demand for these shared workspace facilities, with its sister brand, Bludesks

Chelliah Nakeeran, founder of LowCost LetterBox and Bludesks says, ‘Although the Budget announcement of increased UK investment in infrastructure, in terms of roads, rail and motorways is welcomed, we know that for many businesses and their remote teams, there is an acute dissatisfaction and hardship that is very much here and now.

Coworking spaces allow for easier access, closer to home, so cutting down on necessary travel and also the burden of traffic on the environment. This allows for businesses and their staff to plan ahead, carrying out their tasks in purpose-built, fully equipped office spaces that can be hired as and when needed, on a low cost Pay-As-You-Go basis.”

For remote workers in the UK, it may come as little comfort that the current hardships on the roads are at least being recognised by the chancellor, with the government also set to pledge £2.5bn to fixing potholes in England as part of the Budget.

The question will be for many though, how long will all this take and will it really come to be realised, or is it just another political promise to grab the headlines on Budget day?

Come Thursday morning, the day after the Budget, we can expect that everything will pretty much look the same and so the upward trend in demand for local coworking spaces by providers like Bludesks is only set to increase as a viable answer to commuting misery.

Author: Chelliah Nakeeran

A virtual office is a cost-effective way to add legitimacy and credibility to your online business. When you rent a virtual office, you are given a physical address without the heavy burden of paying for a physical office. 

The decision for online business owners to rent a virtual office is a no-brainer. But with so many service providers offering virtual office services, it can be difficult knowing which deal is best for your business. 

Here are a few tips.

What Other Services Are Included?

Some online businesses require more than a physical address and a PO Box. Fortunately, virtual office service packages include a range of other services that can be customized to meet the needs of your business. 

Typical add-ons include telephone and answering services that are managed by a professional receptionist. Should you need to hire a meeting room, the receptionist will also be there to meet and greet your clients and provide refreshments. 

Flexibility

The purpose of renting a virtual office is to give you more flexibility – so ideally you want a virtual office service contract that allows you to be flexible.  Does the provider have a range of packages that enable you to scale up or down? 

Ideally you need a provider that works the same hours as your clients. For example, if you are a digital nomad or travel to different time zones a lot for your job, you will probably rely on your virtual office provider to field your calls, take messages and manage your post. 

LowCost LetterBox offer cheap virtual office services that enable you to manage your phone calls and mail from anywhere in the world. We can record telephone messages for you and send them by email if you are not available to take the call in real-time. 

Your mail is scanned and forwarded to your mobile phone. All your mail is stored on secure servers that are only accessible by you. Unless you want mail sending on to you, we dispose of the originals. We even sign for parcels on your behalf.

Business Address

One of the key advantages of renting a virtual office is to obtain a cheap business address. Because physical addresses are included in the standard virtual office service packages, it makes sense to choose a provider that has a prestigious address. 

Low-Cost LetterBox has serviced offices in central London with a W1 postcode. Given London is the most expensive city to rent office space, having a cheap virtual office address to advertise on your website and marketing materials creates a good impression – without the hefty costs of owning or renting a physical address.

Value for Money

Renting virtual offices is cost-effective, but that does not always mean you get good value for money with every service provider. Compare prices and investigate which providers offer the most benefits in their packages. 

The key thing to remember here is to ensure you will receive all the virtual office services you need to competently run a business. You also want to ensure the provider runs a professional operation you can trust to create a good impression for your business. 

There are a lot of providers that advertise cheap virtual office space but have hidden charges you are not expecting. Make sure the advertised packages are the price you pay. LowCost LetterBox do not have any hidden charges. 

Finding the right virtual office for your business is important so make sure you conduct thorough research and consider which virtual office services you most need.

Author: Chelliah Nakeeran

As more people start online businesses, there is a trending need for virtual office services. Consequently, the virtual office market has grown considerably in recent years. 

Whilst the plethora of providers makes it easier for online business owners to access virtual office services, it also makes choosing the right partner a difficult decision. 

First and foremost, you need to decide what you need for your business. Virtual office services include mailing address, mail forwarding, telephone answering, receptionist. Many providers also offer hot-desks, private offices and meeting rooms. 

Below is a list of questions that we recommend you ask virtual office service providers before deciding who to partner. 

What Postal Address Will I Have for My Business? 

One of the perks of a virtual office is you can use their postal address as your trading address, and even your official registered office. To get the best value for money, opt for a cheap virtual address in a prestigious central London location. This will project a positive image for your business. 

Do You Offer A Virtual Assistant? 

Some virtual office space providers employ a receptionist who can also be on hand to meet your clients and field your telephone calls if you need to include other virtual office services in your package.

How Does Your Telephone Answering Service Work?

A telephone answering service is a useful add-on for many online businesses, especially if you receive a lot of calls that distract you from your work. 

Ideally, you want a telephone answering service that offers a dedicated landline which will be answered under your business name by a professional receptionist. Calls will then be forwarded on to you with caller ID. If you are unable to take the call, the receptionist will take a message and notify you by email. 

How Does Your Mail Forwarding Service Work? 

A key component of a virtual office is the company handles your post and forwards it on to you. Ideally, you want a service that enables you to access your mail without additional charges. These days, most firms will scan your mail so you can access it from your mobile phone. 

Other services require you to collect the post from the service centre yourself, or they will forward the physical version to you via Royal Mail. Ask whether additional charges are added on for this? 

Do You Sign for Parcels? 

Not all virtual office service providers or PO Box service providers will sign for parcels on your behalf. If this is an important prerequisite for you, make sure the service is offered. You should also ask whether they have a maximum size restriction also.

Do You Have Meeting Rooms, Hot-Desks and Private Offices?

Many virtual offices are also co-working spaces and have amenities you would typically expect in a fully-functioning office. Such facilities can come in very useful to online businesses. 

For example, working in a co-working environment is a good way to network and make new friends. It also gives you a change of scenery and the buzz of being in an office. 

Ask the service provider how much they charge for private rooms, dedicated desks and hot-desks, and whether you can rent them by the hour.

There may also be times you need to meet with a client for a face-to-face meeting. Hiring a meeting room at an hourly rate at the virtual office space gives you the opportunity to make a good impression. 

Ask how much notice you will have to give in advance to book a room. Also, ask whether you lose the deposit if the meeting is cancelled. Some providers offer a refund if you give them more than 24-hours’ notice.

What Are Your Business Hours? 

For online business owners that expect to use additional virtual office services, knowing the providers operational hours may be a decision-maker. 

You want to be assured the receptionist will be available to take calls – especially if you have clients in different time zones. You may also prefer to work late and need a hot-desk that is available in the evening rather than standard 9-5 office times. 

Are There Any Additional Fees? 

This is a very important question because a lot of virtual office service providers do not advertise the full price of their services. There can sometimes be hidden costs involved such as a security deposit, admin fees to set you up and VAT.

Whilst discussing payment terms you should also ask how much notice you need to give for cancelling the service and whether you can set up a direct debit for rolling payments. 

LowCost LetterBox is proud to offer a fully comprehensive virtual office service – with no hidden charges. Feel free to call us and ask any questions from this list and, of course, any other questions you may have. Our friendly and professional staff is happy to answer any questions you have.

Author: Chelliah Nakeeran

In today’s connected world, it makes good business sense for entrepreneurs, freelancers and start-ups to reduce the costs of running a business and rent a virtual office or serviced office. 

Virtual offices provide a solution for thousands of entrepreneurs and freelancers in the UK. The primary reason for the shift to a serviced office is because they dramatically reduce the cost of running a small business.

Significantly Reduce Monthly Overheads

The most obvious saving is the significant amount you save on monthly overheads you pay for renting private commercial space. Hefty rental payments can be an excessive burden on small business budgets and prevent you from investing in other areas of your business. 

What’s more, some virtual office providers also offer serviced offices and flexible co-working spaces which are furnished and kitted out with all the technologies you would typically expect in a fully-functioning office including printers, photocopiers, broadband internet and A/V hardware for giving presentations. Therefore, start-up do not have to invest in technological hardware.

Eliminate Running and Maintenance Costs

Maintenance and utility costs in rented office space can be costly – especially old buildings that are not energy-efficient and require multiple repairs. When you rent a virtual office, you get a physical address without any of the hefty costs involved with renting and maintaining a physical building.

Serviced offices include minimal charges for electricity, plumbing, appliances and depreciation of the building in the package price. Because these charges are typically shared by everyone, the amount you pay as a small business is far less than a commercial building. And the charge is built into the monthly rental fee, there are no surprise costs that have not been accounted for. 

Call Answering and Forwarding Service

Low-Cost Letterbox provides an optional call answering and forwarding service. You will be given a dedicated landline number and save a significant amount of money by not having to pay your own employee a salary. The average pay for a receptionist in the UK is £7.92. Our fees range from £8 a month to £45 a month depending on which package you choose.  

Our professional receptionist will field your calls, answer basic questions and take messages under your business name. As far as the caller is concerned, they are speaking with a member of your staff, giving the appearance that you have your own receptionist – but for a fraction of the cost. 

Attract More Customers 

When you rent a virtual office with LowCost Letterbox, you have the privilege of showcasing a prestigious address in central London – which you can use on your website and other marketing materials. 

A prestigious address in central London projects a positive impression on your business and could help you secure more clients. It will almost certainly improve your SEO visibility because Google ranks local businesses with a physical location higher in their search listings. 

Renting a virtual office address is the smart way for small businesses to cut the costs of running a business – and enables you to invest more of your budget into growing your company and boosting your bottom line. 

Author: Chelliah Nakeeran

It is estimated that 50% of the UK workforce will have the opportunity to work remotely next year. 

The rising trend of remote working has also ushered in an era of virtual office space. Virtual offices enable companies to be more flexible – but more importantly, save a significant amount of time and money. 

Whilst cheap virtual offices typically offer the most value to start-ups, small business and home-based businesses, in today’s commercial landscape that is not necessarily the case. 

Mediums-sized businesses and large businesses are also starting to take advantage of the cost-cutting solutions virtual offices provide. Businesses that want to give employees more freedom to work from wherever they want also recognize the benefit of renting virtual office space. 

Slash Office Overheads

Renting virtual office space enables businesses of all sizes to significantly reduce the cost of running your business from commercial office space. In London the cost of office rentals is extortionate and with fewer staff in the office at any one time, businesses have the opportunity to down-size. 

The average cost of renting office space in the West End was £112.50 per square foot in 2019 – the highest in Europe. With two prestigious locations in central London, Low-Cost Letterbox can provide you with a cheap virtual office address that is far more cost-effective. 

When you rent a virtual office address, there is no requirement for you to invest in the range of technologies typically associated with a fully-functioning office. We have printers, photocopiers, scanners, A/V equipment and high-speed internet. 

Reduce the Cost of Maintenance and Utilities

When you rent virtual office space, there are no additional maintenance fees to worry about. Minimal maintenance costs are incorporated into the monthly fee so you can easily manage your accounts without the risk of being burdened with unforeseen costs.
You also eliminate utility bills and save a significant amount on electricity and heating. For business start-ups that do not have a lot of capital, cheap virtual offices enable you to protect your budget and use it on other areas of your business. 

Mail Handling and Forwarding 

Low-Cost Letterbox also provides a mail handling and forwarding service that saves you a significant amount of time and money having to employ full-time staff to manage your business post. 

Even when you rent a cheap virtual office package with Low-Cost Letterbox, you can have access to the mailing address of our service center which gives you a prestigious address in central London.

Phone Answering and Forwarding Services

Virtual offices typically offer a telephone answering and forwarding service that is operated by a professional receptionist. At Low-Cost Letterbox, you are given a dedicated landline which is answered under your business name. 

Our receptionist will divert calls to your mobile phone – together with caller ID if you prefer. When you are not able to take a call, the receptionist will take a message and notify you by email. Our staff is very polite and helpful and will even answer basic questions about your business. 

With the rising costs of running a business, it’s no surprise to find virtual offices are one of the fastest-growing trends in the business world today. The cheap virtual offices offered by LowCost Letterbox are even more friendly on your pocket.

Author: Chelliah Nakeeran

Setting up a business is costly for most entrepreneurs. Not everyone is fortunate enough to have sufficient capital or the blessing of the bank. 

Even if you can raise the funds to start a small business, it makes good business sense to budget wisely through the growth stage and operate on low start-up costs. 

One of the first goals small business owners should look to achieve is to identify solutions that enable you to make significant cost savings. The suggestions below will point you in the right direction. 

Hire Virtual Office Space 

Having a physical location for your business gives your brand a presence, credibility and a verified address to register your company. The issue many small business owners find, however, is that renting your own office space is a financial burden. 

Renting virtual office space costs significantly less yet still provides you with access to all the facilities you would expect to have in a fully-functioning office. We have printers, photocopiers, scanners and AV equipment that enables you to give presentations on-site. 

Virtual office space also provides you with more flexibility. You only pay for space you use when you need it, so if there’s no reason for you to be in the office you can work from home or a cafe without any unnecessary expenditure.

Not only that, but Low-Cost Letterbox also provides additional services that enable you to establish yourself as a small business without the hassle and expense. 

For example, our company formation services handle all the legal formalities of registering your business with Companies House and HMRC. You can also use our address in central London as your official trading address – which inevitably projects an excellent image for your business. 

Hot-Desking and Virtual Meeting Room

Not every business needs an entire office regularly. Hot-desking provides a cost-effective solution for small business owners that can often work from home but occasionally need access to office facilities. 

Co-working space also gives you the opportunity to meet up with other businesses, freelancers and entrepreneurs. Not only do you get the vibe of a working office, you increase your opportunities of acquiring customers. 

Likewise, small businesses that appear professional and established instill confidence in people. Having a physical office – virtual or owned – gives clients a good impression and raises their expectations. 

To that end, virtual meeting rooms enable you to meet clients face-to-face. This projects a professional image for your business and instils trust in your clients.

Invest in a Telephone Answering Service 

A telephone answering service is a cost-effective means of appointing a professional receptionist to screen your calls and project a credible image for your company – but without the expense. 

Hiring a professional receptionist in-house comes at a cost – around £16-£20k a year to be precise. A telephone answering service is far more cost-effective and frees up cash flow for you to invest in other areas of your business. 

Other than salary demands, you also save money by avoiding National Insurance contributions, sick and maternity leave, pension benefits and potential office space on the ground floor. 

Our professional receptionists provide the same service you would expect from an in-house recruit – but for a fraction of the cost. It also means that you and your busy team are not disturbed unnecessarily and can focus on building your business. 

Virtual office space will save small business and entrepreneurs significant capital that you can invest in other areas of your business. For more details, contact LowCost Letterbox today and speak with a member of our friendly team. 

Author: Chelliah Nakeeran

London is an attractive city in which to run a business on several levels. The UK capital is recognized as one of the top trading centers in the world and regarded as one of the most important cities for business.

However, London is also very expensive and known to significantly damage the budget limitations of numerous businesses. With Brexit looming, setting up a business in London could be even more expensive.

The Cost of Installing Office Space in London

Reports indicate that most businesses renting office space in London are often left short-changed. Exorbitant costs can leave small businesses and start-ups out of pocket or with insufficient space for their needs.

The average cost of renting office space in London is between £65 sq. ft a year to £133 per sq. ft a year. On top of that, you have to factor in costs for a receptionist, server, utilities, maintenance and VAT.

According to research conducted by visual.ly, renting office space in London can cost at least £28,041 a year    . Then you’ve office equipment to purchase including furniture, computers, printers, scanners, software and any other tools you need to raise your performance.

Serviced Office Space

Conventional office space is often far too expensive for business start-ups. Unless you have a significant amount of capital to invest, buying a property in London is out of the conversation.

Rented office space could be an option but are often expensive and subject to unquantifiable charges such as utilities, maintenance, security and facilities costs.

The most cost-effective solution is to rent affordable serviced office space on a flexible contract. This means you only pay for the space you use when you use it.

Many virtual office service providers also provide additional services that help you reduce costs and manage your budget including telephone answering services, professional receptionists and meeting rooms for hire.

London’s Most Affordable Office Space Locations

As mentioned above, the cost of renting office space in London varies dramatically. Euston, Tower Hill and Chiswick are the most cost-effective areas with a good postcode whilst Marylebone, Paddington, Knightsbridge and the West End is far more expensive.

Other than location, the cost of office space is charged by square metres. Ideally, you want to find offices that are big enough to provide sufficient workspace and accommodate the health and wellbeing of your staff.

The modern workforce takes the working environment into consideration before accepting a job or staying with a company. If your team is cramped into an office that is not big enough to meet their needs you risk losing your best staff.

Virtual offices in central London could provide an ideal solution. LowCost Letterbox have offices in two prestigious addresses with a W1 postcode, one near Oxford Circus underground station and the other in Baker Street.

Our offices are spacious and give you access to all the facilities you would expect from a fully-functioning office. Our professional staff is highly trained and always on hand to offer assistance whenever required.

If you need a cost-effective solution to help you successfully set up a business in London, our virtual office space gives you the flexibility and all the facilities you need without damaging your finances.

Author: Chelliah Nakeeran

A virtual office provides businesses of all sizes and budgets several key benefits.

No matter how often you need to use office space, a virtual office enables you to create a physical appearance without the financial burden of expensive overheads typically associated with running a business from an office.

Official Register Address

If you’re a limited company, you can use our address in central London to register your company with Companies House. Given their records are available in the public domain, having an official address in London W1 helps project a positive image for your company.

A virtual office also gives you a physical address to receive post. This is an ideal solution for directors that are legally obligated to have an official mailing address but don’t want to publish your private address in the public domain.

Furthermore, our mail scanning and forwarding service mean you always have access to your mail without having to pay for a physical location.

Access to Office Facilities

There will be times when you need to use typical office facilities such as a printer, scanner, fax machine or deliver a presentation. Virtual offices provide you with easy access to all the usual office facilities you would expect to be available in your own office.

What’s more, we also have virtual meeting space. Therefore, if you need to meet a client in person you can hire a meeting room for as long as you need. We even put up signs with your company name and logo on it to create the impression the virtual office space is a permanent placement.

Dedicated Telephone Line and Receptionist

Receptionists project a good image for your company and can field calls you may be too busy to take yourself. With our telephone answering service, you have access to a professional receptionist and a dedicated landline at a fraction of the cost.

Professional receptionists demand a significant annual salary which may not be financially viable for many businesses. A telephone answering service also means you never miss a call when you are otherwise engaged in a meeting or stretched to meet a deadline.

Our receptionist will take the call for you and pass it through to your mobile or landline. You will see the number of the caller on your screen – so you can choose whether you want to take the call or not. Our receptionist will even take a message for you and answer basic questions.

More Flexibility

If you are an established company with existing employees but looking to cut costs, or you are switching location, renting virtual office space gives you the flexibility for both short and long-term periods.

You can rent office space from as little as one hour to as much as an entire year. Should you need to book for long-term residency you even get the benefit of a discount.

Virtual office space gives you more flexibility. You only need to pay for the desks, offices or meeting rooms you use and because virtual office space is significantly less expensive than most offices cost to rent, the savings you will make can be put to better use in other areas of your business.

Even if you are relocating to another office and need a short-term fix in-between times, virtual offices provide a cost-effective solution. Virtual office space is being adopted by companies of all sizes and for a variety of reasons so why not take advantage of the benefits.

If you want more advice about our virtual office space and the additional services we offer, get in touch today and speak with a member of our friendly team.

Author: Chelliah Nakeeran

PO Box address services have changed significantly in recent years. Yet when people think of a mailbox service, the first thing that automatically comes to mind is the traditional PO Box service offered by Royal Mail.

These conventional Royal Mail PO Box addresses don’t provide you with an actual address. This can be a disadvantage for some users.

Subsequently, PO Box address service providers like LowCost LetterBox, have created an alternative solution. We call them mailbox addresses to differentiate them from the traditional PO Box service.

Mailbox addresses give you all the benefits as the age-old PO Box. They provide you with a private mailing address to receive and access mail in a secure environment.

Although a PO Box and a mailbox rental address are fundamentally the same, there are several significant differences between the two.

Why Do You Need A PO Box or Mailbox?

Having access to a mailing address other than your private residence can provide you with several advantages. The type of people who typically benefit from a PO Box or mailbox are:

• Small businesses, freelancers and entrepreneurs who work from home
• Businesses that want to keep their office address out of the public eye
• Company directors who do not want to publish their residential address in public forums
• Overseas businesses that want a mailing address in the UK
• Residents in shared or temporary accommodation who want sensitive mail to remain private and secure
• People who receive sensitive mail at a location shared by others and thus at risk of fraud and identity theft
• Expats who need a PO Box in the UK for business and personal use
• Frequent travelers who do not have a mailing address

What Can You Expect From A Smart PO Box Service Provider?

Renting a mailbox provides you with an actual address. At LowCost LetterBox, we have several mailbox addresses in London, including prestigious addresses in Oxford Circus and Baker Street.

The capacity to publish an actual address on your website, business stationery and marketing materials is particularly advantageous for business owners, freelancers and entrepreneurs who work from home.

A physical address projects a positive image of your business and lends credibility to your services in the minds of prospective clients and customers. Large businesses can also benefit from mailing addresses.

When you register as a limited company in the UK, you have to report your official mailing address to Companies House and publish the address on your website.

Directors of a limited company are also obligated to report a physical mailing address to Companies House. Again this information is made available to the general public.

A PO Box mailing address provides you and your company with privacy and protection. It is not unusual for unwanted visitors to turn up at your home or place of work.

A PO Box service provider is obligated to maintain client confidentiality. We will not reveal your private address to anybody – other than the police if they are investigating a crime.

PO Box Mailing Address in the UK

You don’t have to be a UK resident to benefit from a PO Box mailing address in the UK. You can live anywhere in the world.

If you are the owner of a business overseas, an expat or travelling the world, a PO Box mailing address in the UK is a convenient solution. LowCost LetterBox also provides mail forwarding and mail scanning services.

Mail scanning involves scanning your post to our secure servers so that you can access them on your mobile phone or computer – no matter where you are in the world.

Alternatively, we forward your mail to an address you provide us. This means you are free to move around at will. Just let us know your change of address. With a PO Box postal address, you only need to inform one company one time rather than a dozen or so people every time you change location.

Renting a mailbox also means you can receive parcels and packages shipped by international couriers. The standard PO Box service offered by Royal Mail does not enable you to receive post from third-party couriers.

What’s more, Royal Mail does not sign for recorded deliveries. Subsequently, if you only have a standard PO Box, you are limited as to the type of post you can actually receive there.

LowCost LetterBox is happy to sign for recorded deliveries on your behalf. We will even forward them on to you or keep them in our secure fulfilment centre until you collect them.

A modern mailbox rental service offers you much more flexibility than the standard PO Box service.

LowCost LetterBox also provides a wide range of other services that you may find useful alongside a smart PO Box mailing address. Check out our standard packages or tell us what you need and we can customise a package that is tailor-made for you.

Related articles:

PO BOX IN LONDON: HOW DOES IT MAKE A GOOD BUSINESS IMPRESSION

HOW A VIRTUAL OFFICE CAN HELP YOU (RUN YOUR BUSINESS FROM HOME)

BREXIT: HOW TO KEEP START-UP BUSINESS COSTS DOWN AFTER 

Author: Chelliah Nakeeran

If you intend to start a private limited company in the UK, you have to register your business with Companies House.

Before you decide to set up a business in the UK, you need to decide whether you will register as a private limited company (LTD), a public limited company (PLC) or a limited liability partnership (LLP).

The type of company you register is an important decision to make in terms of tax obligations and how the company is administered should you go into liquidation.

You will also need to think of a company name that is not already taken. Check on the Companies House website for availability together with the restrictions imposed by UK law about the naming of a business.

The name of your company should not contain any sensitive words or sound too much like an existing company. If you plan to build a website, the name of your company may also be influenced by available domain names.

Registered Office

Private limited companies in the UK are expected to be held accountable. Subsequently, the address you register with Companies House must have a physical presence.

Also, when you register as a private limited company in the UK, your business address, and the director’s service address will be in the public domain and available to anybody. Subsequently, it’s best practice to avoid registering your home address. The security issue alone could be a concern, but it also leaves you open to an increased number of cold calling and potential cyber attacks.

Check out this business forum to see real-life issues involving business owners that have registered their home address with Companies House. It’s not a comfortable read.

Directors Service Address

The directors of private limited companies are also obligated to register a service address. The service address must also be a physical location where directors can receive personal mail together with authorised notices from HMRC.

A service address does not have to be located in the UK. It can be anywhere across the globe. However, most people will use the registered address of the company to boost the credibility of directors.

The service address you choose is also published in the public domain and readily available on the Companies House website. Therefore, it is better to avoid using a home address.

Register A Limited Company Through A Registrar

Although you can register with Companies House online, the most cost effective and easiest way to register a private limited company in the UK is to use a third party registrar.

Using a company formation service agent gives you several distinct advantages;

• They are less expensive
• You can use their address as your registered address
• Saves you the hassle of filling out registration forms

Companies House charge a £12 fee to register a private limited company with them online. If you do this by post, the cost is £40. Processing time is 8-10 days. For same day registration, the fee is £100.

On the other hand, you can register your private limited company with LowCost LetterBox for as little as £2.99. We can even register on the same day and send you the official documents by email within three to six hours.

Using our company formation services gives you the confidence that your application will be registered swiftly and correctly. Furthermore, we have physical addresses in central London and the surrounding areas which also project a positive image for your business.

To avoid making the private address of directors available to the public, using the services of a company formation agent provides you with security. Plus you get a prestigious London address that can really give your business a boost.

Related articles:

PO BOX IN LONDON: HOW DOES IT MAKE A GOOD BUSINESS IMPRESSION

HOW A VIRTUAL OFFICE CAN HELP YOU (RUN YOUR BUSINESS FROM HOME)

9 TIPS FOR COMPANY FORMATION IN 2017 (FOR THE UK BUSINESS)

Author: Chelliah Nakeeran

Brexit has potentially scuppered the plans of start-ups and small businesses. Other than the damaging financial setbacks, there is heightened uncertainty over admin time spent on paperwork, cash flow and delivery services.

Teresa May’s exit strategy has been met with derision and concern by small business owners. Start-ups also face an even steeper incline following the government’s failure to negotiate a deal that allows Britain’s businesses to trade in the EU single market.

Once Britain leaves the EU on 29th March 2019, businesses in both the UK and in Europe will be hit with VAT costs upfront on all imported and exported goods.

The additional expenses piled on business owners could create problems with cash flow and profits will take longer to recoup. As a result, small businesses trading between the UK and the EU need to find alternative solutions to save cash.

Reduce Overheads

The biggest cost-saving initiative for start-ups is to buy a business mailing address and use virtual office facilities as and when needed. Virtual offices remove a huge financial burden typically associated with running a business from a physical location.

The rental costs are a fraction of the price you would pay to lease an office. You will also make huge savings on utility bills, insurance and IT infrastructure.

Not only that but when you rent virtual office space, you can even take advantage of admin services that are typically associated with a business.

For example, some companies provide telephone support and mailing services where your customers can reach you.

Gain Credibility

Our virtual offices even have meeting rooms in a first-rate modern building where you can meet with your clients in person. You can hire meeting rooms or hot desks by the hour and have access to Wi-Fi, a reception and refreshments.

As a result, you can reveal that you are a legitimate business without paying hefty overheads. Furthermore, you can invest the savings in other areas and grow your business quicker.

Work From Anywhere

A business mailing address in London can improve your professional image and create a good impression with customers. Small businesses that can still survive in London in a post-Brexit world have to be successful!

For all intents and purposes, when you have a business mailing address, your business appears to be running from the physical location stated on your website, stationery and business cards.

In terms of communication channels, it is.

However, a business mailing address gives you the freedom to work from anywhere. This can be from your home address in London, or anywhere else in the UK.

As a matter of fact, it can be anywhere else in the world. With a business mailing address from LowCost Letterbox, you have access to an entire fulfilment centre.

We accept post and parcels from all the major delivery services and can forward on your mail or scan it and send to a mobile device or email. If you do live in London, you can collect the post yourself from one of our five fulfilment centres.

Just because the majority of Britain voted to leave Europe, it doesn’t mean that small businesses in the UK have to stop trading in the EU market. You just need to find solutions that enable you to turn a profit.