The Benefits Of Working Close To Home

As the dust on the ‘new normal’ begins to settle, many of us will already have gotten used to what it means to work from home and work remotely, along with the new set of opportunities and trade-offs that this has brought with it. Bridging the gap between finding freedom from the office, without the unexpected home-zoom interruptions from underage guests, co-working spaces have slotted in to fill the increasing demand for a work-wellbeing focused refuge.

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Cut The Commute

Working from your local co-working centre provides all the benefits of privacy and productivity, without the rush hour stress. COVID has catalysed an exodus from cities such as London, as people increasingly find that they no longer need to live where they work, and the rise of commuter-belt co-working spaces has meant that sourcing new facilities is now easier than ever. For those that find they’re still working on the go, many co-working spaces have membership options that allow for access to a range of spaces up and down the country, meaning you’ll never have to worry about sourcing the limited plug-socket seating, or taking a conference call during peak hours in the local café.

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Community and Connectivity

One of the greatest benefits of a co-working space is the access they provide to a like-minded community. The constant virtual connectivity provided by laptops, mobiles and tablets has diminished the need for in-person contact. Yet encouraging face-to-face interactions at work is vital for social welfare needs, as are chance encounters and unplanned interactions. Collaboration is a key component of both creativity and success, with many of today’s best innovations being birthed via chance encounters and spontaneous meetings. Co-working spaces provide a hub of activity that unites, inspires and amplifies.

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Smart and Serviced

Co-working spaces rely on customer satisfaction to survive, meaning that providing the latest and greatest in technology and efficiency is a necessity. There is no ‘one-size-fits’ all approach to great work, and the future of customer care is flexibly personalised, with an increasing number of spaces being kitted out in the latest smart offices. This means easy access to live occupancy insights, and the ability to pre-book desks and meetings rooms at the click of a button, from the comfort of your own home.

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Honing in on quality over quantity, in most flexible workspace arrangements, all the details are often already taken care of, meaning reduced occupancy costs yet improved experience - with leading-edge facilities, amenities, resources, and design in convenient and desirable locations. A fully serviced space means that there’s no need to commit to expensive furnishings or excess rental fees. And an in-house concierge facilitates planning meetings or events, providing a professional and polished alternative to the high-street handshake.

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Focus and Flexibility

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Working from home is both convenient and comfortable, but it can also mean a lack of work-life separation and a greater chance of distraction. While the communal areas of co-working spaces provide the perfect place to socialise, there are also quiet sections and work pods for solo sessions, that are furnished for focus. There’s also no need to have to commit to using the space on an every day basis, with a range of flexible membership options to suit - from hot-desking and monthly rolling contracts, to longer-term leases or private office spaces. Conference rooms and meeting areas can usually be booked separately, and come equipped with the essentials including smart boards, coffee and tea stations, and sound-proof padding.

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Work and Wellbeing

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Wellbeing is at the heart of work, because when we feel good, we do better and co-working spaces have this built-into their design. From access to natural lighting and open spaces, to engaging events and classes, co-working spaces understand the transformational power of workplace wellbeing to enhance productivity, stoke creativity and keep people coming back for more. As we head towards a more remote mode of operation, having the option to separate work and home life in a convenient and affordable manner, as well as having a guaranteed space for personal and professional meetings, is an increasingly attractive and necessary offering for holistic work wellbeing.

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Greater Growth

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Co-working spaces ultimately help start-ups to grow, and provide the flexibility they need to meet them where they’re at in their on-going evolution. Whether its through direct means such as access to a like-minded local network, a diverse host of events and workshops, and accelerators and incubators; or indirect means such as through enhancing workplace wellbeing by catering to mental and physical needs, co-working spaces are going mainstream for a reason, and their adaptability and agility signifies that they’ll be here to stay.

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