Darina Loakman.com

I spent the day yesterday in London. I got to put on make up and high shoes and be a grown up for the day ! Sometimes when you are home-based you forget about that “other” life that goes on out there !

My reason for being in London was to attend the launch of the BT Small Business Week in the UK and more specifically the pre-launch of the 2008 Home-Business Report, which will be officially launched on Wed, so more about that later as there is an embargo on it for the moment until the official launch.

Anyway after a round table discussion lunch at BT Tower (fab views !) on home-based business. I went with Emma Jones of Enterprise Nation (the UK’s largest website for people starting and growing a business from home) to her “club” no less ! One Alfred Place.

When you work from home there are times when you may still need to get out and meet people, maybe clients or just need a base somewhere other than your spare bedroom !

One Alfred Place provides just that in London. It combines the best of a private members club with having your own office when you need it, (without the headaches that come with that !) and a base in the city for entertaining clients or just working somewhere different for a change. The Club Manager Guy Morgan showed me around and I have to say I was impressed ! Not just with the surroundings which are bright and spacious, but with the thought that has gone into creating this space. There is everything from large open spaces for meeting or working, to quiet rooms (no laptops or phones allowed) shower, lockers etc.. even a quiet spot for a nap !. Board rooms, small meeting rooms and a restaurant, business services including use of a VA. It’s definately designed with business in mind but yet is a calm and comfortable space.

I’m madly trying to justify membership there but unfortunately at the moment can’t come up with anything ! It’s not like I can just hop on a dart and go in

Working from home is my favourite thing in the world (well one of them !) but there are times (& obviously it depends on your business) when you need to get out and maybe meet or impress a client and there’s only so much an anonymous hotel lobby can do ! even if you do go 5*. I know there are private members clubs in Dublin and I’m sure in Cork, Galway and other places too but as far as I know most of them are focused on socializing rather than business and while you can entertain clients there, it’s really not the same.

Or maybe I’m wrong ! Maybe there is a space just like One Alfred Place but I just haven’t come across it? if there is let me know !

If you want to find out more go to www.onealfredplace.com

and come back here tomorrow for more on that home-business Report ! (just sign up on the side there to get notified)

regards

Darina