London businesses 'looking into' partial relocations

Date: 13/06/2011

More businesses with London telephone numbers may make the decision to relocate some of their offices from the capital to elsewhere in the UK once the economy improves, according to one expert.

Director of Colliers and member of the British Council for Offices Urban Group Philip Papenfus explained that as relocating to another part of the country can be expensive, firms are opting to bide their time.

"I suspect that when the economy does start to improve and confidence comes back, one or two occupiers will take the plunge," he remarked, adding "non-essential" departments such as those with administrative tasks are most likely to be moved.

Business that are planning to relocate away from the capital might want to take their London telephone numbers with them to their new offices, so as to remove the need to inform customers of new contact details.

However, retaining a presence in the city can have advantages, as, according to media and communications manager at the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry Andrew Horne, it is home to a high-quality workforce.