Moving Premises

3. Maintaining Relationships

3.1 Send a notice of change of address to your customers and suppliers well in advance.

• Explain why you are moving and use it as a marketing opportunity.For example, explain you have outgrown the old place and invite them to a party to mark the opening of your new premises.
• Where appropriate, include a map of how to find your new premises.
• Key customers may merit a phone call or a visit to explain why you are moving.

3.2 Inform the authorities and other contacts.

• Going through the files will reveal contacts that may not be on your database.For example, banks, credit card issuers, professional advisers, insurers and couriers.

3.3 Order stationery showing the new address.

For example, letterheads, envelopes, address labels, compliment slips and business cards.

• Get written confirmation of any new telephone and fax numbers, and your postcode, before going ahead.

3.4 Amend all advertising and promotional material to show the new address.

• Notify any websites, databases and directories which have your old address.
• Amend any current advertising.
• If you are not printing new brochures with your new contact details, order change of address stickers to put on existing ones.

3.5 Set up a 'business as usual' team, with the specific task of maintaining customer service levels throughout the move period.