The Research
Recent Research by BT Home Business and Enterprise Nation tells us that Leicester is ranked as the second favourite city for home buisinesses, after London. Nationwide the research shows that the number of home-based businesses is up 16% on last year. It comes as no suprises to us, with the economic downturn and consequent gloom and doom associated with it from the media that people opt to work from home rather than spend hard-earned profit on often outdated and expensive office space. Whilst we can take some comfort that Leicester is leading the way, it's also worth remembering that it could also be an important reminder that office space in Leicester is so poor that entrepreneurs would rather work from their back bedrooms. Sure, there have been some office developments in the city which buck the trend (notably the new Business Quarter), stimulated by the intervention of public bodies, but on the the whiole its pretty shabby.
What's always confused me is the lack of action from so called entrepreneurs who own these properties. Surely investing in any building you own to yield greater incomes would be a good idea?
The Pros and Cons
Whilst some people clearly work from home to save cash, the growth of women-owned businesses and the trend of choosing to work from home and enjoy a greater work life balance also has a part to play. Parents don't have work as an employee through lack of choice.
Working from home isn't all cups of tea and comfort though. Or at least, it shouldn't be. You have to be discriplined and focused, and able to separate home life from work life. It can also be a rather lonely place to be - you might go for days on end without speaking to other people, particuarly if you live on your own. It just isn't for everyone, particuarly those of the less organised nature or the social type.
Kate
