Several charities have either already sold or are looking to off load their headquarters and downsize to smaller locations, particularly since the flexible and home working boom that has continued since the Covid pandemic.
A notable benefit of the move is that by selling often prime property locations, charities can free up sizable sums of money that can be used to support frontline services, particularly amid the cost-of-living crisis.
They can also cut costs by downsizing to smaller locations, that require less to heat and light. According to research published by energy firm Utility Bidder in 2021 cutting down on office costs can save charities with 100 staff more than £15,000 a year on heating and lighting bills.
Also, as staff increasingly work from home and attend meetings online there is no need for a modern employer to occupy as much office space.
Selling large headquarters or their leases, particularly in London, can also promote charities’ equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) practices, by promoting more accessible online meetings.
In addition, some older buildings, which may have been in charities’ possession for decades, may be harder to adapt to the needs of all.
But the move is not for all charities.
For example, earlier in 2023 Girlguiding revealed plans to close five of its activity centres to save money and this month the charity announced the plans will go ahead after “no significant new information” emerged during its consultation.
A campaign by those using the centres had proposed the charity instead save money by selling off its Buckingham Palace Road, central London location.
However, for Girlguiding, like many other charities, the sale of an HQ is not on their agenda, as often these bases can be located at the heart of their community or near to key policy-making locations, such as Whitehall and parliament in London.
In this article we look at some of the charities that have already made the move, or are repurposing their offices for other uses.
However, as property prices fall in 2023 amid rising mortgage rates and economic uncertainty it remains to be seen how many more charities consider the move.
Parkinson’s UK
In April 2022 Parkinson’s UK sold its Vauxhall Bridge site in London as part of plans to further embrace hybrid and flexible models of working.
Through the deal Parkinson’s has an agreement to remain at the offices at the site for three years, to give it time to search for new office space and incorporate remote working, which accelerated for the charity amid the pandemic.
“It’s clearer than ever that we no longer need as much space, and the space that we do need, has to work better for our colleagues, volunteers, and the Parkinson’s community,” said the charity’s chief executive Caroline Rassell at the time.
“Staff surveys have shown that they want an office that allows easier and more effective collaboration with colleagues and the Parkinson’s community from across the four nations.
“This means accessibility and adaptability are key things we’re looking for in our new space – two things that we really don’t have currently, which stop us from being as inclusive as we want to be.”
Income from the sale of its UK is being used to manage its move as well as to invest in
support, research, and awareness raising work.
RSPCA
Also, in 2022 the RSPCA’s more than 6 hectare headquarters in West Sussex was sold in July 2022 as the charity progressed with its plans to encourage flexible working.
Its Wilberforce House site near Horsham had been listed for sale at £98.7m and has been sold to Legal & General to be developed into seven warehouse units and office space.
As part of the charity’s plans this large site is being replaced with a smaller base in central London for its Westminster lobbying team and other staff to be closer to stakeholders and policy makers. Meanwhile, many other staff from Wilberforce House are working at home or under hybrid arrangements.
When the move was announced in 2021 the charity announced that most of its 380-support staff based at the West Sussex HQ favoured more home working options.
RNIB and Guide Dogs
The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) announced early in 2021 the sale of its London headquarters, which it shared with the charity Guide Dogs.
The Judd Street, London, property was sold after RNIB received “a strong commercial offer” from property developers.
Through the move both charities would continue to use the property for two years before moving to different locations.
RNIB chief executive Matt Stringer said the move had been made as it had more space than it required making it “an unrealised asset that can be put to better use for our customers”.
RNIB’s registered office is now at Pentonville Road in London, while Guide Dogs head office is based at Reading in Berkshire.
Emmanuel House
A move to flexible working is not the only motivation for charities selling up. In October 2022 homelessness charity Emmanual House Support Centre announced plans to offload two floors of its Nottingham base that were used as offices, meeting rooms, reception and kitchen area and instead turn them into accommodation for homeless people in the city.
Planning permission was approved in January 2023 by Nottingham City Council with work scheduled to start during the year.
Fundraising is taking place this year by the charity to meet the likely £2m cost of turning its HQ into accommodation.
We’re delighted to have secured planning permission from Nottingham City Council to build 20 bedrooms of short-term emergency accommodation for people who find themselves homeless, providing 24-hour support.
— Emmanuel House Support Centre (@emmanuel_house_) January 27, 2023
Read more:https://t.co/yfhovMbDg8 pic.twitter.com/1BDGalcD49
Under the plan the charity will repurpose the space to create 20 bedrooms and 24-hour support. The space will also provide one-to-one support, common rooms, computer suites and disabled access.
The charity sought to repurpose its HQ after struggling to find a suitable site in the city to provide temporary accommodation.
“The project fits with the city’s strategic plan to tackle homelessness,” said he charity’s chief executive Denis Tully.
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