The Best Co-Working Spaces in the UK

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15 July 2021

As the UK awaits the final stage of lockdown easing, research suggests workers are keen to swap home working for a more conventional office setup.

Despite the obvious flexibility that working from home offers, the latest research from Office Space in Town shows some unwanted consequences for home workers.

Distractions were also the most cited disadvantage of home working (43 per cent), followed by difficulty collaborating with colleagues (41 per cent) and unplugging from work (39 per cent). Furthermore, the percentage of people citing lost collaboration with colleagues as a disadvantage had risen by an additional 10 per cent compared to May 2020 figures, while those struggling to unplug when working from home had also increased, raising serious concerns of long-term employee burnout.

Findings additionally indicate a widespread desire to return to the office on a more flexible basis. 44 per cent of respondents reported they would want to work in a hybrid way over the next 6-12 months, combining home and the office. 72 per cent plan to spend between one and four days per week in the office.

For those wanting the best of both worlds, the use of co-working spaces and serviced offices can offer a flexible alternative for those who are tiring of working from home.

Last year alone, the number of coworking spaces grew by 21 per cent, a 42 per cent increase from 2018. Demand has simultaneously grown, with the number of coworking space users growing by 27 per cent since 2020.

What are the best co-working spaces in the UK?

 

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London

 

For those looking for London-based office space, 22 Tudor Street Blackfriars offers a unique interiors theme designed to boost productivity and wellness

This property features a range of bookable quirky meeting spaces in a range of themes, including “under the sea” and “hot air balloon”

The building is conveniently located in the heart of the City and just a 4-minute walk from Blackfriars underground and mainline station. Additional tube stations within walking distance include Farringdon, Southwark, Mansion House, and Bank.

All of the office suites include individually controlled air conditioning, high standards of soundproofing with sit-stand desks and ergonomic chairs as standard.

 

Picture: a photograph of the interior of 22 Tudor Street, Blackfriars

 

Another stylish option in the capital is Bathtub 2 Boardroom, which uses empty commercial units as co-working spaces. 

In 2012, Fred & Ed found Bathtub’s first home; East Tub, in East London and registered as a charity to ensure social impact through enterprise would always be at the core of everything Bathtub 2 Boardroom does.

Today, there are sites just a few hundred metres from Bank Station and in East London. 

 

Picture: a photograph of the interior of Bathtub 2 Boardroom. Image Credit: Bathtub 2 Boardroom

 

Bristol

 

A 2020 study of 1,000 officer workers revealed 22 per cent would want to take their dog with them to the office.

If you’re looking for pet-friendly co-working, Bristol’s Raw Space offers a “home from home” style environment where dogs are welcome. Raw Space also offers a variety of membership options from permanent desk rental to 30 hours a month, all on monthly rolling contracts. You can even try a seven-day trial before committing.

If you’re looking for more than just a stylish desk, Origin Workspace offers wellness activities, talks and networking events, giving plenty of opportunities to engage with the members. 

Origin has also been working hard to prepare the site so that members can feel safe and secure in the workspace, particularly now that lockdown measures are relaxing. Rob Hingston, Head of Origin Workspace said: “We have introduced a new one-way system, regular sanitising areas and clear signage throughout the workspace. All members and visitors are temperature checked upon arrival to keep the Origin workspace COVID-19 secure.”

 

 

Manchester

 

Oppidan Social in Manchester is a co-working space that offers a unique payment model. There is no contract, no signing up or joining fee. Everything you receive is free including the coffee, the cake and the wi-fi. You only pay for the time you spend in the building at 8p a minute. The space is also child-friendly for those juggling work with childcare.

A high-end Manchester option is Beehive Lofts. Set across nine lofts in the centre of Ancoats Urban Village, the space spans across two 1800s cotton mills.

One of the most luxurious amenities on the site is the  fully equipped kitchen with two ovens, a hob and microwaves. Three flavours of fresh citrus waters are offered, along with a wide range of speciality teas, fresh fruit, cakes and biscuits.

 

Picture: a photograph of the kitchen at Beehive Lofts. Image Credit: Beehive Lofts

 

Birmingham 

 

Used by Royal Bank of Scotland, PWC and Grant Thornton, 55 Colmore Row is renowned as Birmingham’s most prestigious buildings. It’s also a great choice for those who prioritise sustainability, eliminating single-use disposable plastics from daily operations. 

If city views are your thing, Birmingham’s iconic 27-storey Alpha building provides 196,000 sq ft of exceptional office accommodation with unrivalled views across the city. For a fixed monthly fee, you get 24/7 access, superfast fibre-optic broadband hard wired to your desk, WiFi throughout, access to printers, private phone booths, breakout areas and kitchens.

Picture: a photograph of three people working at a table on laptops

Article written by Ella Tansley | Published 15 July 2021

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