One of the key drivers of this change is the rise of remote work. More and more people are working from home or other locations outside of traditional office spaces. This shift is being fueled by advances in technology, such as video conferencing, cloud-based software, and collaboration tools, which make it easier than ever to work remotely and stay connected with colleagues.

Another important factor is the changing expectations of employees. Today’s workers are looking for more flexibility and autonomy in their jobs, as well as a better work-life balance. They want to be able to work from home and have more control over their schedules.

To meet these changing needs, the flexible office industry has evolved to provide a range of new solutions and services. Flexible office spaces are no longer just a place to work – they’re becoming hubs of collaboration, creativity, and community. Many flexible office providers are now offering a wide range of amenities, such as lounges, cafes, event spaces, and even fitness centers, to create a more holistic work experience.

One of the most exciting new developments in the flexible office industry is the rise of hybrid workspaces. These spaces combine the best of both worlds – the flexibility and convenience of remote work with the social interaction and collaboration of traditional office spaces. Hybrid workspaces typically offer a mix of private offices, open workspaces, and shared amenities, giving employees the flexibility to work where and how they want.

At the same time, the flexible office industry is also leading the way in sustainability and eco-friendly practices. Many flexible office providers are investing in green technologies, such as solar panels, energy-efficient lighting, and recycling programs, to reduce their environmental impact.

In summary, the flexible office industry is evolving rapidly to meet the changing needs of businesses and their employees. The rise of remote work, changing expectations of workers, and the need for more sustainable practices are all driving this transformation. As a result, we’re seeing the emergence of new ways of working, such as hybrid workspaces, that offer a more flexible, collaborative, and sustainable work experience. For businesses that want to stay ahead of the curve, it’s time to embrace the future of work, the new ways of working and take advantage of the opportunities they offer.

If you want to find the perfect flexible office solution for your business, call us on 020 3031 8563 or search our website www.loc8commercial.com

The post The Future of Work: Shaping the Flexible Office Industry appeared first on Loc8 Commercial Blog.

Flexible offices are becoming increasingly popular among businesses of all sizes and industries, and for a good reason. They offer many benefits, from cost savings to increased productivity and employee satisfaction. But why should flexible offices be a part of any organisation’s real estate strategy? Here are just a few reasons:

1. Cost Savings: Traditional office spaces can be expensive, especially in prime locations. But with flexible offices, businesses only pay for the space they need, whether that’s a few desks or an entire floor. This can lead to significant cost savings, especially for startups and small businesses that may not have the capital to invest in a traditional office space.

2. Increased Flexibility: One of the most significant advantages of flexible offices is their inherent flexibility. They can be used for various purposes, from temporary project spaces to long-term offices. And because they are often equipped with multiple amenities and services, businesses can quickly scale up or down as needed without long-term commitments.

3. Improved Productivity: Flexible offices are designed with productivity in mind. They often feature open floor plans, comfortable furniture, and access to amenities such as coffee shops and fitness centers. This can create a more relaxed and collaborative working environment, increasing productivity and employee satisfaction.

4. Access to Talent: By having a presence in a flexible office, businesses can gain access to a broader pool of talent. Many flexible office spaces are located in prime locations, making attracting and retaining top talent easier.

5. Increased Agility: In today’s fast-paced business environment, agility is critical. Flexible offices allow businesses to quickly adapt to changing circumstances, whether that’s a new project or a shift in business strategy. This can help businesses stay ahead of the curve and remain competitive.

   

In summary, flexible office space is essential to any modern business strategy. It offers a wide range of benefits, from increased agility and cost savings to improved productivity and access to talent. So if you’re not already embracing flexible office space, now is the time to start. Your business and your employees will thank you.

We help you find the perfect flexible office based on your requirements. Give us a call to discuss on 020 3031 8563.

#flexibleoffice #agility #costsavings #productivity #talentaccess #flexibleworkspace

The post Flexible Offices must be part of your real estate strategy appeared first on Loc8 Commercial Blog.

Manage The Workload: The last thing you want is a tired, demotivated team, with a mad rush of everyone working away like little elves, to get everything done before Christmas & New Year. Get organised with the workload and if it’s an especially busy period for your business, have a clear plan of action for how your team will be able to achieve everything ahead of schedule. Make sure it’s an atmosphere of drive and determination, as oppose to stress and pressure. Set targets and goals that have meaning; pulling together that team spirit for support and motivation.

Consider Flexible Working: When family commitments take over ahead of Christmas, a great solution to overcome this is by offering flexible working- whether this is by utilising shared spaces closer to home (Read more here: https://loc8commercial.com/blog/flexible-offices-future-work/) or enabling single parents to work from the comfort of their home temporarily from the end of school term. The key is to sitting down with your team to find out what they want and need, then working with them for a win, win situation. Happy staff, and targets hit.

Celebrations and Awards: No matter how big or small your company is, award ceremonies are perfect for recognising, rewarding and motivating your staff. And what better time to do it than the end of the year? Whether it’s a simple thing within the workplace, or by hosting a big event- end-of-year celebrations help to keep those spirits high! Similarly, Christmas Work Parties. Practically everyone has them right? So if you don’t, get your organising caps on! It could be simple after-work Christmas dinner or drinks, but it really helps to bring everyone together, and gives staff something to look forward to, towards the end of the month.

Festive Fun In The Office: At a time when people would much rather be our doing their own thing or spending time with their loved ones, creating a fun and friendly atmosphere in the office makes all the difference to morale. Think- background Christmas tunes in the office, lunchtime office decorating (possibly even going all-out with a tree!) Christmas Jumper day, festive cakes & treats, or even some Christmas competitions. How about- a prize for the best decorated desk?! Think outside the box for how to make it a fun -yet productive- working environment.

Secret Santa With a Twist: So aside from making your workplace feel festive, you can also get your team into the Christmas spirit by organising a Secret Santa… Everyone’s name goes into a hat and one-by-one they pick a name out in secret, for which they then have to buy that person a gift! Make this even more fun, by giving it a gift-buying theme. EG. ‘One Thing That Makes You Fabulous’… This works particularly well for a tight-knit group of coworkers, and might still be appropriate for gatherings where everyone knows each other at least somewhat well. It adds a bit of fun and can bring everyone closer together. You can also do your bit by writing individual thank you notes to every staff member, to give on the day of the gift-giving! Short, sweet, but personal, and it shows your staff how much they really matter.

Rewards and Incentives: Different people are driven by different things. Some need to feel valued & appreciated, some need recognition & rewards, and some are driven financially. Understand your staff and what drives them the most, using appropriate incentives- especially when hitting targets. Make sure your ‘Christmas gift’ is one that matches them!

So ho, ho, ho- there’s just a few ideas to get you started. What do you find works best with staff motivation throughout the holiday season? Share your ideas below! And have a very happy Christmas!

The post How To Keep Staff Motivated This Christmas appeared first on Loc8 Commercial Blog.

Sound good? Alright then. Here’s a few of our favourite tips for avoiding that work burnout…

1. Maximise Productivity– When you are working, make sure you’re making the most of it. Plan everything properly the day before, use lists, make sure you allocate the right amount of time to get jobs done and really stay focused during those core hours. No-one wants to be working late, but if you utilise your time properly: you won’t need to! Time management and planning are the key components here. Once you can master that, you can take on anything!
2. Take a Break!– Little and often. Just a short five-minute burst of movement and maybe a quick bite to eat. (Who else loves to nibble throughout the day?!) The break will recharge your brain, increasing concentration when you then get going again which then means you work better, faster and certainly get far more done. The more you achieve in the day, the less overwhelmed you will be and the more you can get that work-life balance right. So what was it?… Break little and often, that’s right! If it means having a shorter lunch, so be in! Who needs an hour to gossip anyway?! So long as you have that time to eat properly, drink properly- getting the sustenance instead you to fuel that mental strength, you will be good to go!
3. Work On That Mindset– ‘If you realised how powerful your thoughts are, you would never think another negative thought again…’ Believe it or not, you can control your thoughts and they in turn begin to control your feelings. So instead of filling your mind with the likes of: “I just have so much to do, I’m never going to get it all done…” “This is CONSTANT. I get my tasks done and more just pile up.” “How is this a life?! When can I take a break?!” If this sounds like you, stop right in your tracks. Because think about it- are these thoughts really helping anyone? Is it enabling you to get things done faster or solving the problems you feel like you have? No, probably not. In fact, if anything, it’s surely making you slower and less productive because you’re actually just wasting time working yourself up. But hey, knowledge is power. So the first steps are to take a deep breath, become conscious of what you’re thinking and then work on changing them. The next time a negative thought runs in your path, grab it, trap it, and replace it with something else. Like: “Well, it’s going to be another busy day today, but that’s good- the company is booming, my role is a key part of that and let’s plan this all out to see the best way to work through it!” Think you can do it? Give it a try! I promise, you’ll start to notice the difference!
4. Do the Down-Time– I know, I bet you was wondering when this was coming, but save the best ‘till last right?! Everyone knows it can’t be all work and no play, so one of the best ways to stop that work burnout, is by making the most of those days off. If you’re going to chill, you need to do it properly, so stop checking those work emails or thinking about all the things you have to do (there will be far less if you follow the steps above anyway!), and make the most of the time you do have… Not only on weekends, but on evenings too. Spend quality time with loved ones, do different things, have some FUN! Because then when it is time to get back to work, you’ll feel like you have had that proper break and will be able to get back to it with a fresh mindset, better body and a strong, healthy attitude!

What’s your favourite things to do in down-time? How do you deal with work overload to avoid the dreaded burnout?! Share your thoughts below…

The post STOP! How To Avoid Work Burnout, Mastering the Work-Life Balance appeared first on Loc8 Commercial Blog.

The Right Environment: Don’t you find working from home you just have so many distractions? The kids shouting during school holidays, the phone ringing with old relative looking for a catch-up, the cat meowing at your feet. It’s almost impossible to work at your peak performance, stay focused and to work your way through that ‘to do list’ effectively. Having the right environment will boost productivity: your own desk in a smart place, giving you the time you need to really knuckle down. As an entrepreneur, it’s also important to establish a positive work-life balance, which is why having a separate environment – helps you to draw a line between your professional and personal lives. (See here for 5 of the coolest offices in the world: https://loc8commercial.com/blog/5-coolest-offices-world/ Make your space your own!)

The Right People: They say your network determines your net worth, and who you surround yourself with plays a crucial role. Co-working helps to connect you to like minded people, working alongside others who have the same drive as you. Build valuable working relationships, discuss ideas, analyse processes or results and broaden your own knowledge in areas they specialise in too. Often you’ll be working in a space that has people from different business sectors with different skill sets, which can become a valuable asset for you. Co-working amongst entrepreneurs encourages innovation, sparks a little healthy competition and gives you a real sense of community. It provides excellent networking opportunities throughout the whole building and means that as you grow your business: you don’t need to feel alone.

Flexibility: Flexibility is at the core of everything that co-working is about. You’ll have: – Flexible Contracts: Unlike standard office renting, co-working spaces don’t have the long-term commitment with set durations or terms. Instead, you can hire the space on a month-by-month basis, with the option to extend for up to two years: depending on how it’s going and what you’re looking for. Need to upsize or downsize? No problem! It’s hassle free and incredibly convenient.– Flexible Seating: Members of a co-working space can move around depending on their needs. Got an important pitch to work on? Sit in an isolated desk allowing full focus. Got lots of calls to do and want to work alongside others for motivation? Sit within the central part of your office space. You can even hire conference or meeting rooms within your building, at just a fraction of the price: making your business look more professional.– Flexible Schedule: Now although it’s important to have a work-life balance, often- as we look to grow our business around other commitments, we need to have flexibility within our schedule. The great thing is, co-working facilitates exactly for that, with most spaces allowing 24/7 access. This means you can start as early as you want/ need, finish as late as you want/ need, and come & go as much as you like throughout the day. Often, you’ll find others doing the same too, which is always encouraging.

Cost-Effective and Affordable: We understand budgets can be tight when you’re starting out. You need to invest money in the right areas and manage your ongoing costs on a daily/ monthly basis. Now often: renting out an entire office block for yourself or your small team- it’s actually out of the question. It doesn’t really make sense! Co-working on the other hand, is simply a fraction of the price. which makes it a far more feasible option. As mentioned above: contracts with co-working are flexible and most offices are kitted out with everything you need, from computers to phone lines, plus of course desks and chairs! They also tend to have reduced overheads, because most providers include all the expenses in one fixed monthly fee. This makes it easier to manage in terms of budgets and becomes far more economical.

Everything You Need and More: Co-working is designed for entrepreneurs and small business owners, giving you access to all the essential resources. Wifi is always strong, phone lines are clear, stationery is shared and you’ll even have all the cleaning done for you (because we know you don’t always have time for that!) Goodbye mess, hello efficiency! Many co-working spaces also have an abundance of meeting rooms, security, supportive staff and many even host regular events/ coffee mornings within the building to get you interacting further with like minded people.

Yep, it is pretty neat! To find out more about co-working spaces within your area, give us a shout on 020 3031 8563. We offer free, impartial advice; helping you to find the working environment that’s right for you.

The post Why Co-working is the Perfect Solution for Entrepreneurs appeared first on Loc8 Commercial Blog.

So, what exactly are flexible office spaces?

Essentially they are shared spaces or ‘flexispace’ that has all the basic equipment and infrastructure needed. They have always been popular with start-ups and SME’s due to the flexibility, however, more and more blue-chips are seeing the benefits of flexible spaces. Flexible offices were initially set up so that an employee who usually worked from home or remotely – or has to drive long distances to the company’s main office – can instead work externally for a few hours or days, every week or month. Ideal right?! In fact, Flexible Office space operators have taken the largest amount of sq ft space in London over the last 12-18 months to deal with the demand. It’s going off a storm, and not only improving employee retention within bigger businesses, but proving the ideal and solution for smaller businesses too.

A few of the benefits?…

• Flexible office spaces allow remote working employees to mix up their working week. Instead of being glued to a desk in one place, they have the option to work elsewhere: commuting to the main offices only when necessary. This helps with employee satisfaction, motivation and actually increases efficiency.

• Often flexible working spaces will have different employees from different businesses sharing the same building and in some cases the same office. This can be beneficial, fostering collaborative workplaces and mutually beneficial working relationships with others. No better way to create referrals, right?!

• As mentioned above- flexible office spaces are usually fully equipped premises, giving business owners access to everything they or their employees need, without the logistical and organisational nightmare. It’s fairly hassle free and also provides flexibility in terms of contracts, because unlike standard office renting- flexible spaces don’t have the long-term commitment with set durations or terms. Instead, you can hire the space on a month-by-month basis, with the option to extend for up to two years: depending on how it’s going and what you’re looking for. They can also grow as your company grows, which means they provide peace of mind when you need to downsize. This unique flexibility can allow you to keep control of the costs, which leads us onto the final benefit…

• Another major selling point is the cost-saving. Flexible offices generally have reduced overheads, because most providers include all of the expenses in one fixed monthly fee. Pretty neat, huh? This makes things easier to manage in terms of budgets, proving incredibly effective.

Now it’s important to remember- flexible offices aren’t for everyone. It is still a relatively new concept and success may depend on the nature of the business, the company culture, management set up and of course: the employee themselves. Some employees need greater management, can feel a little disconnected from the business and may struggle to stay disciplined, focused and of course- not get distracted! The way to make it work for big companies? Well-structured arrangements, clearly clarified expectations, strong communication and regular targets/ tasks/ goals to work towards.

If flexible working is part of your company culture or potentially suitable for the stage your business is in, flexible office spaces work hand-in-hand to provide the ideal solution.

Will they take over traditional offices? We don’t think so, not entirely…

But they are becoming evermore popular- and with good reason! A number of traditional landlords are now also including flexible workspace within their offering, as they understand that some clients’ businesses are seasonal and may have larger teams for short periods when working on specific projects.

Got a question regarding work spaces? We’re here 24/7 offering FREE impartial advice.

Reach out… – https://loc8commercial.com/page/details/about-us

The post Are Flexible Offices The Future of Work? appeared first on Loc8 Commercial Blog.

After noticing a gap in the market for a social media marketing agency for SME’s, I launched The Social Shop late in 2013 after spending 8 years working my way up recruiting for the marketing and advertising agency sector.

Knowing I had 3 month’s wages in the bank to support me whilst I got the company off the ground, my first aim was to make sure I could cover my mortgage. I did what I knew best and used LinkedIn as a new business platform; luckily my first client came in the shape of a well-known restaurant in Camden. 

As one client turned into two, then five and then ten, I had to make a decision on an office. My overheads had to increase and in order to be taken seriously, I needed an office space. I moved into a space that my first client owned which was helpful as I didn’t have a clue where to find available office spaces! This first space in Camden was great as I was working alone. However, as I hired my first employee and my client base was growing, I needed to move somewhere neutral so all of our clients were treated equally. 

I was paying a lot for this space but had nothing else to compare it to, the 3 month notice period also didn’t seem a problem when I signed up. I quickly realised that as my cash-flow was forever up and down, being tied down to a contract with anyone was a commitment and I couldn’t stick to it for too much longer.  Therefore, we went from our own office space to a co-working incubator in Camden by a start-up called ‘Work.Life’. https://work.life/ 

‘Work.life’ was great; We were one of the first businesses to move into their first office. We were suddenly in a creative working environment with others in similar industries which was quite motivating. In addition, this space came with free tea, coffee and biscuits! Those that know me know I like to eat a lot of biscuits and drink a lot of tea, so the saving alone was fantastic!

We had access to free talks, events and were networking with new companies on a daily basis. However, I slowly realised the flexible work space in London was becoming hugely popular and there were other options that were not only more affordable, but more accessible than Camden. We were only there for 6 months but it supported 5 of us including interns. We met lots of SME’s that were in the same situation as us and the flexibility of being able to cancel our contract with 4 weeks’ notice was great.

We were very close to moving into Work.Life’s second office, a new space in London Fields, Hackney, as this was closer to where I lived. However, the desk cost was the same and contract restrictions were the same which wasn’t beneficial.

Whilst I was looking for a new flexible working space, I attended a networking event at a small incubator in Old Street which had a big personality; It was called ‘Launch 22’ based in Corsham Street. http://www.launch22.co.uk/

This place was just as cool, albeit with less capacity and free biscuits. However, it was slightly more affordable and in the heart of Tech City; A location that adds a huge amount of value to our credibility. Launch22 is a registered charity with 2 branches in Liverpool and London. Since joining we have become part of the family, a group of small businesses looking to grow with free mentorship and support from the large network of people associated with the incubator. The best thing about Launch22 for us is that we can cancel our monthly rolling contract anytime with 1 weeks’ notice. Being a small company, things can change for us on a monthly basis so this level of flexibility being in the heart of the city is awesome!

I have seen the pop up of many new but more expensive flexible workspaces around me over the past few years. I now understand there are office brokers like Loc8 Commercial, who are the best people to speak to about finding a suitable office space for your business. Speaking to office brokers reduces the timeframe and personal stress of finding somewhere new. Loc8 provide a free and impartial overview of the market and is very helpful in the way that they can give us new options that we may not have known previously. Add to the fact they gave us an insight into the workspace industry then it’s a win win.

If we were currently looking to move offices we would want to view the following 3 options from looking at Loc8’s website:  

Serviced Office to let: Curtain Road, London

https://loc8commercial.com/office/serviced-office-to-let/1682/curtain-road-london-ec2a

Serviced Office to let: Westland Place, London

https://loc8commercial.com/office/serviced-office-to-let/1493/westland-place-london-n1

Serviced Office to let: White Lion Street,

https://loc8commercial.com/office/serviced-office-to-let/1033/white-lion-street-london-n1

The post Guest Blog: Why we chose to work in a flexible workspace appeared first on Loc8 Commercial Blog.

Business owners currently looking for leasehold office space have a tricky decision on their hands. Do they continue to look at longer term leases or move to a more flexible solution? Some of our clients have already decided it’s not worth waiting any longer to see what plays out and have taken workspace. Many others are now seriously considering this type of space due to its flexibility. We have documented in a previous blog about the huge rise in serviced office space across the UK with the industry set to be worth up to 126billion in the next 10 years.

It’s no surprise that flexible workspaces are popping up everywhere, due to their affordability, flexibility, networking ability and locations.  It’s fair to say there is no worse time for businesses to commit to long term office leases. No one can predict the impact of Brexit on property values across the country, so purchasing or leasing office space is risky business. As we have experienced in past recessions we have to maintain a lean business plan making as much profit as possible and riding the wave.  Tying businesses into 5 – 10 year leasing deals makes no commercial sense at all.

Experts are predicting the UK to develop relationships globally, outside of the EU when we finally leave– will such relationships require businesses to adapt their global footprint?

It’s clear we all need to think more flexibly about location, accessibility, business growth, overheads and workspace requirements. The main reason for the rise of co-working spaces and serviced offices is because there is less commitment involved.  You can often break a contract with 4 week’s notice without any penalties.  The traditional model is restricting business growth, strategy and has been called old fashioned. Along with increased lease rates this solution is no longer attractive.

Along with the 9-5 model, the hours people are working and level of freedom and flexibility needed to keep people motivated, balance work and life means serviced offices are a great support mechanism for this. The latest generation of millennials see flexible working options as a must-have. It seems the Brexit vote is the catalyst to further speed this process.

The current climate makes strategic business planning difficult. Having the choice and ability to flex workspace is key as businesses move with the times.  Often scaling up and down on a regular basis. Forward-thinking businesses want to position themselves to flexibly ride out the current storm and see light at the end of the tunnel when the economy is more stable

 “While it seems that no one knows the long term implications of Brexit it’s fair to say that the uncertainty and the lack of a clear plan (or at least the communication of one) has caused a fair bit of chaos. Add to the mix, ever evolving technologies and ‘disruptive’ companies, it’s becoming increasingly more difficult for companies to plan for the next 5 to 10 years which used to be the norm. Companies, now more than ever, need to be agile and able to adapt quickly to market conditions, trends and new technologies. A flexible workspace solution is just one of the ways that companies can mitigate risk in an uncertain time. It will allow them to adapt quickly to evolving market conditions, whether that be upscaling or downscaling. Occupancy rates in serviced and managed offices have been increasing faster post referendum so the evidence suggests companies are taking a more flexible approach to their workspace needs pre Brexit” said Lee Grodent, MD Loc8 Commercial.

If you are looking for office space pre Brexit and want to discuss how a flexible office solution could be the ideal solution then please do give our consultants a call on 020 3031 8563.

The post A flexible approach pre Brexit appeared first on Loc8 Commercial Blog.

It’s estimated that the current market is worth £16 Billion, so in another 9 years, could we really be looking at a valuation of £126 Billion?  Some have even said this could be undervalued by 20%. It wouldn’t surprise us!!  It’s been regularly reported that The Flexible Office Industry is the fastest growing within Real Estate and it doesn’t look like slowing any time soon.

This success is one that the British are proud of and property professionals are pleased to read positive UK property sector news in the media. This growth is attracting investors around the world. A recent report between the Economic Research Consultancy Capital Economics and Property Academics, Professor White and Professor Dunse:-

Report highlights:

• UK is the leading global serviced office sector, with the largest and most mature market, accounting for over a third (36%) of the worldwide serviced office footprint
• Three key drivers are fuelling this growth: increasing numbers of growth businesses, expansion of key sectors that use serviced offices the most and the trend towards more flexible working
• Sector’s growing appeal and strong returns have seen its increasing attraction to institutional investors and its emergence as a distinct property asset class
• Yet the serviced office sector still lacks a dedicated market-accepted valuation methodology, which would further spur its growth
• Using a conventional office model puts a £16bn value on the UK serviced office sector, but it is likely undervalued by close to 20% if it were appraised using a dedicated valuation approach
• Modest projections for the key drivers and using a dedicated valuation approach values the UK serviced office market at £62bn by 2025, whilst more optimistic projections set it at £126bn
• This report, for the first time, puts forward a specific valuation model to help the sector fulfil these projections and assist institutions in reaping the full reward of investing in serviced offices 

The service office industry is growing faster than European and American counterparts and has been quoted as being a “Recession busting solution” to the property sector. The rise of flexible or alternative workspaces for more agile businesses have helped the serviced office popularity.

One of the biggest factors of this rise is the ease and convenience for businesses of all sizes. The fact the majority of them are fully furnished and ready to go means less disruption to employees when they move in. Fast broadband, open space, clean toilets, cloud data storage allow networking and faster business growth, collaborations and developments.  Lack of time is something most businesses suffer from in the UK so the immediacy that serviced offices offer are hugely attractive. 

The financial model of cost per desk works well for both people starting up in business and huge blue-chips that offsite departments with multiple temporary workers.  Across the UK you can come across desk costs ranging from £50 per desk per month up to £1400+ per desk per month.  Location and accessibility plays a part in this with London being the most expensive place in the country to rent desks in. However, you can still find good deals and there are many places in London that are affordable and accessible.

It’s reported that the number of flexible workspaces has increased 31% since 2008 with London accounting for 34% of the serviced office footprint.  Demand for area’s in Manchester, Glasgow, Birmingham, Bristol and Edinburgh are growing quickly too

Lee Grodent, MD of Loc8 Commercial says “It’s no surprise to me that the flexible office market is going from strength to strength. We have seen a huge uplift in enquiries over the last 2 years. Companies, whether they be Blue Chip, SME’s or Start-ups from all types of sectors are now looking at serviced offices as a viable alternative to longer term traditional leases. Flexible working is only going to increase in the years to come and I believe the serviced office market is well positioned for even more growth and innovation in the years to come.”

Early adopters of these spaces include companies from Media, Finance, Healthcare, Charity sectors with projected movements from Information, Data, Communications and Professional Services in the next couple of years.  With the ever increasing speed of broadband and technology in the workplace it’s no wonder this sector is going to keep growing from strength to strength.

Social Media Agency Owner Marc Shelkin, says “We have been operating for 3 years and although not a start-up anymore we are still small and nimble enough to rely on flexible office spaces.  We are based in the heart of Old Street which is prime space for Digital Marketing and Technology companies.  We are very lucky to have found a space that is not only affordable but allows us to scale up or down anytime without any hassle.”

If you would like to know more about serviced offices and if they are suitable for you and your business, please give one of our experts a call on 020 3031 8563 or search via our website www.loc8commercial.com

The post Could the Flexible Office sector really be worth up to £126 Billion by 2025? appeared first on Loc8 Commercial Blog.

For most of us the office is not just a great place to work or get motivated. You may have worked in an office that has tired old brown carpets, furniture falling apart and desks with coffee stains on that have probably been there for 10 years.

 
The rise of tech companies has famously tried to buck this trend, showing their employees they have the ‘best’ work culture and environment to maintain their interest for long enough that they won’t have their head turned when headhunted on a daily basis. From start-ups to MNC’s they are furnishing staff with all the free food, pool tables and ‘music jam’ rooms they could possibly want. This certainly isn’t for everyone and if you are wondering what the hell we are talking about. Read on……

If you are passing Hoxton Square in East London make sure you detour to see the TREExOFFICE for yourself. It’s an ‘unsocial-able social-able’ space that shouldn’t work but does. It not only works but people have reportedly been more efficient and driven in this space. Some say it’s down to the lack of disruption although if someone in the room is on the phone it’s fair to say you will feel involved in the call.

This urban office is built on stilts around a tree. The pop-up has eight seats with power and wifi available to rent. You can also book this space for small company meetings or pitch opportunities to impress prospective clients. However, if you need the loo, well that is one mod con you won’t find here. There are of course lots of public places nearby but if it’s raining or snowing you may get wet. “It is made of compressed paper with see-through plastic and translucent polycarbonate,” says architect Kathryn Timmins. This is good for the environment, but also helps workers feel at one with nature.

 
Perched above a converted warehouse called Village Underground in Shoreditch is one of the most unusual and exciting workspaces in London. On a disused underground train. If you are fortunate enough to visit this space you surprisingly won’t feel as trapped as you could in an office.

 
The trains were stripped of their mechanical parts, then carefully lifted on to the building by cranes in 2007. It was part of a project to make affordable working spaces for artists. As we all know Shoreditch is very well known and respected as an area for creative and artistic types and seems to be growing with all sorts of interesting characters.

Since 2007 many have seen the advantages of leaving the coffee shop environments for these special places. Working in an open, creative and unusual location can be inspiring if not scary at times.

 
People that work in these spaces don’t conform to the typical 9-5 jobs. It wouldn’t be crazy to see a member of staff arriving at 10.30am and leaving at 9pm with lots of ‘creative’ breaks throughout the day. It has been suggested these locations are more relaxing environments and allow you to ‘get in the flow’.

 
One question we have, how good is this space in the middle of winter?

 
For those that get the train to work then spend 8+ hours a day on a train for work, we are keen to hear from you and if it’s as cool as it looks?

Multi-National Companies like Google have taken this concept and expanded it on a much larger scale. They also offer soft benefits that will make you want to never go home, these range from free meals, free gym membership, free coffee, ride to work schemes, discounts off Google products oh and being the first in the world to know how they are helping change the world with technology.

Whether your business is looking for something funky and unusual or something a bit more traditional Loc8 can assist in finding you the perfect office for your business. Give us a call to discuss on 020 3031 8563 or alterntiavely get your search started here

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