If your start-up business has outgrown the spare bedroom, finding affordable premises to expand can seem like an impossible task – particularly in the UK’s major cities.

To help fledgling businesses in London, a new initiative has been set-up by Boris Johnson and the British Property Federation (BPF) – London New Enterprise. Centred round a website, www.londonnewenterprise.co.uk, the scheme brings together up-and-coming firms looking for office space and landlords with property to let.

Businesses can search available premises and landlords list available space. The site provides the perfect place for building owners with short term lets, or spare rooms in existing offices, to generate some extra cash, as long as terms are agreeable to smaller budgets – standard London rental prices are not appropriate.

Property vacancy levels in the capital have increased considerably since the recession. A report compiled by the BPF showed London had a 13.9 per cent shop vacancy rate compared to the national figure of 12.5 per cent. It is hoped that the London New Enterprise will help utilise this currently wasted space.

Boris Johnson said: “It’s absurd that right now, across the capital, there are so many properties lying vacant while new businesses are looking for space and the opportunity to grow. These innovative firms are the backbone of the London economy and with the launch of the fantastic new website we can help both businesses and property owners get the right deal.”

If you’re not based in London, www.sharemyspace.co.uk performs a similar function across the UK, bringing new businesses together to share office space and develop business opportunities collectively. Alternatively, Desk Space Genie, www.deskspacegenie.co.uk, provides an online marketplace for spare desks and space. Companies can list their spare space and then potential ‘deskers’ (typically sole traders, freelancers and entrepreneurs) can search all the listings by location.

If you’re interested about a business opportunity that can be done from the comfort of your own home, find out about becoming an Accounts Assist franchisee – email enquiries@accountassist.co.uk, or call 01327 856 076.