When it all started during the first lockdown and we were coming to terms with using the home office, hurriedly converting space and signing up for Zoom accounts in our droves, it didn’t really feel like it was going to be a longer term paradigm shifter.

But here we are, in the summer of 21, facing the real fear of actually working back in offices after we’ve become so accustomed to working at home, and on many levels, finding we quite enjoy it.

With freedoms finally granted back this month, it really is making many of us nervous about something that we wouldn’t have given a second thought about only eighteen months ago – stepping into an office.

For others, the home office will reign supreme for the foreseeable, as bosses have across many sectors have abandoned the centralised head office model, preferring their workforce to maintain a flexible working norm.

So is this fear and trepidation of returning to the office real, or will it dissolve away by lunchtime on our first day back?

Alison, a London law firm PA, who has been working at home since the second lockdown, told us that she feels anxious about returning to the office, but grateful that it won’t be a five day a week return, as the boss is moving to more flexible working.

Alison told us, “I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t feeling a little nervous about coming back to the office, as I really have found home working much easier as it works around the family and the lack of a commute has been one thing I’ve certainly not missed whilst home working. But that said, I have missed the busy environment and having work colleagues around which I think does help keep up morale”.

Alison is far from being alone in her perceptions, as a report from the British Psychological Society gives guidance and advice on Covid related anxiety and stress in the workplace.

The guidance, issued late last year, stated that on returning to the office ‘Responses will be influenced by a wide range of risk factors including vulnerabilities within the family, change in job roles, threat of redundancy, skill shortages, social networks, and current and previous experience of loss, bereavement, and illness. Feelings are likely to be significantly affected by factors that increase the risks and challenges posed by Covid-19 (e.g. being from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic [BAME] background).’

Some notable larger businesses, including HSBC and Unilever have stated that they are never returning full time to the office. but for many smaller to mid-size businesses, the attitudes and commitments to flexible working models are far less clear.

It’s also not to say that everyone likes and enjoys the home office, ‘Zoom Fatigue’ has proven to be a very real phenomenon and those extended meetings of having our own HD image relentlessly mirroring back at us is not for everyone! Read this interesting article on a study on Zoom Fatigue from Stanford University’s Virtual Human Interaction Lab (VHIL), giving valuable insights and solutions.

Home working for many has meant the ‘greying’ of lines of when we are ‘on duty’, so now the office doesn’t ever close and we are not booted out by the cleaners at 6.30pm, means on average, we’re putting in far more hours, yet for the same pay rate.

Jason, a Client Account Manager told us, “I really don’t have a structure in the same way I did before working from home. It’s ok and I manage it but I can be still on meetings late into the evening and lunch times have pretty much gone by the wayside most days.”

Recent research by Ezra, a leading provider of digital coaching, found that Working from Home has Increased UK Working Hours by 22%.

So in these times of immense change across the working landscape, there appears to be factors that act as pros and cons for either side of the equation.

Given that many bosses have relented over the last few months and accepted that many of their employees don’t want the rigid work patterns, attendance and commuting of pre 2020, flexible office working has emerged as a potential ‘halfway house’ solution.

Flexible working comes in the form of workspaces that can be hired flexibly, and in some cases, for as little as an hour upwards on a pay-as-you-go basis.

One of the major benefits of these flexible workspaces is that they offer the employee or small business owner a place to work, closer to where they live, so negating the long and mind-numbing daily commute.

Often with much more reliable connectivity than the home office, these workspaces enable communications without the Wi-Fi limitations of many home offices and with far fewer home distractions, think endless Amazon Prime deliveries and neighbour DIY projects!

Although not really getting around Zoom Fatigue issues, the often collaborative spaces do enable more face-to-face contact with real humans which to some degree at least balances out all the screen time with conversations readily available in the breakout areas.

CEO of BluDesks, a leading online workspace booking platform comments, “What we’re finding now, is that although home workers have been reticent to try venturing out of their four walls, they have reported back having an amazing experience at our workspaces, even if they only booked for an hour or two.

So I guess it’s just about plucking up the courage again to get back out there, because there really is a warm welcome for you at our centres if you do make the effort, and many are close to where you live, meaning very little travel time.”

Back to the British Psychological Society report, it states that, ‘Each employee will have their own specific concerns regarding their work or personal experience. Feeling worried, concerned or anxious is understandable in a situation that is changing and uncertain. These are common responses and show increased vigilance which helps protect us from harm.’

It will no doubt take all of us time to adapt to a gradual return to more traditional ways of working, albeit in truth, things are never going to be exactly the same as before.

The most important thing is to seek out a way of future working that suits you and your own personal expectations and needs.

Do your own research and look for all the help that’s out there to support you, the way forward is not clear for any of us, so your unease is definitely fully justified and not something you should ignore.

Mind have some great resources if you are needing support.

Using a coworking space for rent is an innovative and modern way of working. It’s the perfect way for freelance workers, small businesses and budding entrepreneurs to surround themselves with like-minded people and an atmosphere that’s different from what they get with working from home. Thinking about this past year, many people have stared at the same four walls for so long that people now want to get out and about to work for a change of scenery.

However, this does sometimes come with a significant disadvantage. For example, coworking spaces in London can be particularly lively and active. It’s easy to get distracted when many people around are boisterous with conversations heard from everywhere. Being in this environment means that some people struggle with being productive in their work.

If you’re searching for “coworking spaces near me” and are worried about how you can stay productive, you’re going to want to read on. We’ve got 5 tips that will boost your productivity when renting coworking space and help keep you on track while working.

1.Decide Which Coworking Space to Rent

People use coworking spaces for many reasons. Whether you’re looking for additional hot desk capacity, a private office, office space for meetings or space for team projects, then that’s something to consider when choosing your next coworking space. Here at BluDesks, we offer several types of spaces to suit your purpose.

Hot Desks

A simple way to rent out space is by choosing a desk to rent. We understand that businesses need time and money to grow. You can reduce the running costs of your business by as much as 30% when renting a hot desk. When you book a hot desk rental through our website, you only pay for the space you book, and you pay in hourly blocks, which helps you avoid costly contracts.

Private Offices

When searching for coworking spaces in London and worldwide through BluDesks, you have a choice to rent a private office. This will give you access to plenty of office equipment, such as photocopiers, printers and whiteboards, as well as access to free wi-fi and meeting rooms. You pay on an hourly basis, so you only pay for what you use.

Meeting Rooms

Meeting rooms are great for businesses who don’t necessarily need to run their empire from physical premises and means you avoid the long-term costs that come with leasing an office. These rooms allow you to hold team meetings and give you the flexibility to decide when you need to rent the room, whilst giving your clients/employees comfort in modern surroundings. You can easily hold staff training days and presentations from our meeting rooms, and they are fully equipped with everything you need, such as whiteboards, free wi-fi and wide-screen TVs.

Customised Workspaces

A great way to improve productivity and performance is by having a customised workspace. This is because people feel like they can handle distractions much easier and feel they have a sense of control over their space. The facilities and equipment provided are like those you would expect from a professional working environment. Like our other coworking spaces for rent, you only pay for the time that you use.

2.Plan and Organise Your Day

If you want to make sure you’re as productive as possible during the time you spend working in your coworking space, you must plan ahead of time. It’s tough to expect yourself to be constructive just by randomly turning up and making a start on business without organising your work and prioritising specific tasks first.

A great way to plan out your work is by either writing everything down on paper in the form of a planner or by using an organisational app/website. Think about what you need to get done and list it with the most important job at the top. Seeing a plan for the day in front of you will ensure you’re not wasting time starting one job and then distracting yourself with another. You will be able to work through each task one at a time. By then crossing tasks off your list as you go, you will feel more driven and motivated to continue doing good, productive work.

3.Tidy Workspace

There’s nothing more unproductive than having an untidy workspace. If you’ve got hoards of paperwork scattered across your desk, you’re going to waste a lot of time trying to find important information you may need to get your work done efficiently. Even not organising a place for your stationery could slow you down while you try to find that highlighter you need. Not to mention the psychological effects an untidy workspace will have on you!

It’s well worth the time to make sure you sort through and file all your paperwork. Maybe even categorise it if you tend to have a lot on your plate continuously. You will find it much easier to find what you need, therefore saving time and ensuring you’re more productive. A clean and tidy workspace is much more welcoming for you and will increase your mood and motivation each day.

4.Utilise Technology

There are many apps and websites available these days that are extremely helpful in improving productivity, no matter what type of work you do. If your job consists of plenty of emails to send, invoices to produce and other admin tasks, technology can help. All of those tasks we mentioned can be automated using various apps/websites, saving you a lot of time, meaning you can get on with other important errands.

Some great ways that technology can help boost productivity are:

• To-do lists for planning out jobs.
• Customer relationship management (CRM) tools so you can easily organise your clients/customers.
• Calendars for scheduling meetings etc.
• Programs for creating documents, e.g. Google Docs
• Note-taking apps.
• Project management sites to organise your projects.
• Apps for time tracking.
• Schedulers that help plan and post your social media content.

5.Take Regular Breaks

It’s easy sometimes running your own business to forget to look after yourself. Working too much can make you feel burnt out and exhausted, neither of which will help with motivation and productivity. Everyone is different, so it will take some time to figure out what works best for you, but your body and mind need you to remember to take regular breaks.

Your brain can only take so much at a time, so it’s best to make sure you give it the right time to “reboot” itself. You could even try to schedule your breaks into your day or set a reminder so you don’t forget. Planning your rest time means you will feel re-energised and ready to carry on with more work.

When working for yourself, it’s crucial to have the self-discipline to be the most productive with the time that you’re paying for your coworking spaces in London (and indeed anywhere else!). As long as you plan your day, take regular breaks and keep your workspace tidy, there’s no doubt that you will see an improvement in how much work you can get done.

When you next search for “coworking spaces near me”, be sure that here at BluDesks, we have everything you need to help you feel productive and comfortable when you’re fed up with working from home!

Renting coworking space has boomed over the past few years. It has always been something that is associated with freelancers or start-up businesses, but our workspaces to rent in London are used by a wide variety of different trades and industries from all walks of life! The way that we work is changing dramatically following the pandemic, and more and more people are looking at private office space rental – but what makes them so sought after?

Flexible

With people having to be ready to change their routines at the drop of a hat, renting coworking space is the perfect solution. You and your employees can choose when and where you work for the day – whether that be early morning – to be ready to pick the kids up from school – or you are a night owl and productivity only occurs in the evening, we can cater to everyone. More employers are focusing on giving their employees more choices and flexibility in their work routines following the pandemic, so it makes sense that private office space rental has become one of the most popular choices.

Cost efficient

When you are looking for workspaces to rent in London, you will find that many office leases are expensive, and you are tied in for a very long time. Not to mention the overheads that come with an office lease – maintenance, cleaning and office furniture, it all starts to add up! If you are a freelancer who just wants to put your head down and focus for a day, or a start up business with no idea if you will be able to commit to a long lease, then renting coworking space is the perfect solution. With different options such as pay as you go or pay monthly, you only pay for the space and the time that you use – what’s not to like? It also works for larger businesses who are looking to expand or want to employ someone who can work remotely. There is no point in paying for space that you may not end up using, so private office space rental is perfect for all kinds of budgets.

Networking

Workspaces to rent in London are the perfect arrangement – a whole building full of like-minded people from all different trades and industries. You will find that you are exposed to people that you wouldn’t meet if you worked from home or in a coffee shop, and the fact that you could be sitting next to a new person every day is perfect for those who are looking to meet new customers, clients, and even friends! When you are renting coworking space, you know that the people around you are also looking to network, and maybe even collaborate! The possibilities are endless.

Perks

When you use private office space rental, you also get access to all of the perks that come with it. All of our business centres come fully furnished with ergonomic furniture and comfy breakout areas for when you need to recharge. We also offer high speed internet, meeting rooms, printers and scanners so you don’t have to factor these into your budget! You simply turn up, pay for your space and then get stuck in! If you’re lucky, you’ll be in one of our workspaces to rent in London, which come with really special perks including private gyms and bar areas for those after work drinks, what is not to love?

Locations

When you are renting a coworking space, one of the first things that you think about is location. Well, you are in luck! Our private office space rentals are conveniently located all over the UK, so you can choose where you want to set up for the day. Whether you are looking for somewhere close to home to beat the rush hour commute, or you are looking for an office space close to your new customer so they don’t have to travel far for a meeting, our workspaces to rent in London, and the rest of the UK, are ready and waiting for you. All you need to do is open our app, search for your prefered location and book a space for a hassle-free transaction.

Productivity

For people who normally work remotely – or from home – it has been made clear in recent months that using our London rented workspaces significantly improves their productivity. By working somewhere that has the buzz and atmosphere of an office, it can encourage and give you the focus that might be missing if you are working on your own. By renting coworking space, it helps employees get into the right routine and mindset for a productive day at work. We can also offer private office space rental that is based in a quiet section of the building if you need privacy or no distractions.

Covid safe

One of the biggest advantages of renting coworking space at the moment is that all of our offices are covid compliant. There are so many rules and regulations that must be adhered to in order to make sure that you and your staff are safe when at work, and by using private office space rental we can take all this hassle and stress away for you. Each of our workspaces to rent in London, and the rest of the UK, will be following the below procedures:

• Increased disinfecting – All of our offices will be more regularly cleaned and disinfected, with hand sanitiser to be places throughout the buildings
• Increase in signs to make sure that everyone that uses our private office space rental knows the rules and follows them to keep everyone safe
• Controlled capacity – there will be a maximum number of people allowed in to make sure that everyone is able to work at a socially distanced space.
• Screens – more screens have been put up between workspaces to make sure that everyone has their own personal working space

With all this in place as standard practice, it means that you don’t have to worry about writing the risk assessments to make sure that your office will be COVID-19 compliant – we have it covered!

So, why are you still trying to make our new work routines and lifestyles fit a traditional office environment? By renting coworking space you are exposed to new ideas and different people that you wouldn’t normally have the chance to meet, whilst working in a modern office that is covid compliant and full of perks. It’s time to get out of the mundane corporate bubble and try something new!

Workspaces to rent in London , and all over the UK, have been steadily gaining popularity since they were first introduced 2005. However, in the last 18 months they have proved themselves when it looked like the pandemic could have meant the worst for them. COVID-19 changed a lot about our lives and our daily routines, and it especially changed the way that we work. It has shown employers that instead of everyone going back to the traditional office environment, more people can work productively on their own and in a coworking office space.

6 reasons COVID-19 made Coworking Spaces important

During lockdown, people managed to carry on with their work routine, they just changed how it was carried out. In this blog, we are going to take a look at how coworking office space really started to shine during the pandemic.

1. Coworking in London, and other major cities, is cost-effective

It is no secret that some businesses have been hit hard by Covid-19 and its impact on both the economy and the workforce. With so much uncertainty in business and with no idea when things will settle back down again, renting London coworking space has been the answer for many companies. Suitable for both small and large businesses alike, the pay as you go or pay monthly options have been welcomed by a large variety of companies. Whether people have had to unfortunately scale back due to the pandemic, or their business has boomed, coworking in London gives you all the perks of a fully equipped office with health and safety guidelines already in place. It means that you don’t have the added pressure of long expensive leases or worrying about the overheads that come with renting an entire building. All you need to do is find the right coworking office space for you and your employees and leave the stress to someone else.

2. Hygiene and safety

Health and safety can be a minefield at the best of times, and it’s only set to become trickier as restrictions are eased. Being COVID-compliant will be key to get businesses back up and running again, and this comes with a lot of unease for many employers. By renting coworking office space, you can take away a lot of the hassle and stress as all of our office buildings have strict health and safety procedures in place including:

• Signs – Our London coworking spaces (and the rest of the UK) will be clearly signed to make sure that everyone knows the rules, and there will be people there to monitor and make sure they are being followed.
• Capacity control – we will never let offices get overcrowded, there will always be a carefully monitored maximum capacity that we adhere to.
• Personal Space – all of our coworking office space has been carefully modified to make sure that people can work comfortably and socially distant from others. With the addition of screens, you don’t need to worry about someone invading your space.
• Increased hygiene and sanitation – all of our coworking office spaces are being more regularly cleaned and disinfected to help control the spread of COVID-19. There is also plenty of hand sanitiser available, as well as gloves and wipes throughout the building.

We have completed all the necessary risk assessments required for a COVID-19 compliant office so that you don’t have to worry.

3. Employee mental wellbeing

Coming out of a global pandemic has not been easy, and it has highlighted that there needs to be a greater focus on employees and their wellbeing. Working from home has been a challenge for everyone, but it has shown that people are now placing more emphasis on family and mental health. By using a coworking office space rather than a typical and traditional office environment, more employers are giving their staff more flexibility and freedom. Some staff are using coworking in London to shorten their commute and give them more time at home, whilst previous home workers are happy to use coworking office space to give them the buzz and atmosphere of an office which they didn’t have before. After employees have proved that they can work on their own and still be productive, many companies are using coworking office space to give their staff more freedom and flexibility than ever before.

4. Community / networking

Now more than ever, people will need to feel the support of a community to help get back on their feet – in both business and home life. By renting a London coworking space, it has shown that networking and having that support is easier to come by then when you are based in a traditional office. You come across new people from different trades that you never would have done previously. When you are coworking in London you get the chance to collaborate and expand your customer base like never before! This sense of community and network is definitely the key to getting everyone back up and running again!

5. Future proofing

As we all know, the lockdown has shown that people really don’t need to be in a traditional office working 9-5 to make sure they get the job done, and in most cases, it has actually increased productivity! By getting their staff used to coworking office space and remote working, many businesses have been future-proofing themselves in case we ever go back into another lockdown. It is far easier and more cost effective to rent a London coworking space that is fully equipped with hi-tech gear than it is to kit out an entire home office set up for each individual employee.

6. Hybrid working

Across many different trades and industries, we have seen people bringing together different aspects of home working and office working. Hybrid working gives the employee the freedom to choose where they would like to work – whether that be at home because a child is poorly, in a coworking office space because it is closer to home, or of course working at the office. The COVID-19 pandemic has shown that coworking spaces are important, and that more businesses are taking this flexible approach. This new attitude to work means that people can choose a different and safe London coworking space each day if necessary and makes them feel more valued and appreciated by their employer.

There is no doubt at all that COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns had a big impact on all areas of our lives, and it has forced people to change their perspectives and re-evaluate their priorities. It has also shown that people can be trusted to work remotely, whether that be at home or using a coworking office space – and that they can continue to do so in the future in an arrangement that can suit both employees and employers alike. Flexibility is a key aspect to getting businesses back up and running again, and that is something that has stood out for coworking office spaces throughout the pandemic.

BluDesks are delighted to announce that Landmark, one of UK’s major serviced/flexible office providers has joined as a partner and will be promoting their wide portfolio through the BluDesks workspace booking platform and app.

The partnership will allow BluDesks to offer Grade A workspaces from coworking to private offices in an additional 38 locations across the UK.

Through Landmark, BluDesks will be offering multiple options, from coworking day passes, project offices and meeting rooms to multi-year custom designed private offices, aimed at corporate employers, SMEs and Freelancers.

Chelliah Nakeeran, BluDesks founder and CEO comments, “This partnership with one of the UK’s most prestigious workspace providers, greatly increases our scope for providing true versatility and agile solutions to our rapidly growing client base. We are delighted that Landmark have chosen us and they represent exactly the broad range of offices and facilities that are growing in demand globally.”

BluDesks are benefiting from companies looking to close or cut back on existing office space or leases, or save costs on relocating, who are looking for additional flexible office space for meetings, project teams, or private offices, or additional hot desk capacity for staff, and the deal with Landmark further improves the range of flexible office space and meeting room options that BluDesks can provide.

Landmark commented, “We see our partnership with BluDesks as offering us greater scope to reach our target markets with greater ease and efficiency. We were impressed with the BluDesks approach and their business culture and approach are a very good fit for our business.”

The Landmark office space portfolio is now fully listed on the BluDesks platform.

The post covid workplace is something that a lot of people are starting to think about and discuss following the global pandemic. Coronavirus changed a lot about our lives and routines over the last 18 months, but as we are starting to ease restrictions and look to going back to normality, what will that mean for those who work in traditional offices? Whilst it has shown that employees can work productively on their own in their home environment, it has also highlighted the need for human and social interaction that comes with an office set up. People have managed to carry on with their work life, just in different and innovative ways.

After months of working apart and in isolation, let’s take a look at some of the workspace solutions being implemented following COVID-19.

Safety

Health and safety are going to require a big post covid solution to make sure that people feel comfortable returning to office life. Whether that be the traditional office set up, or whether you are looking for “shared workspace near me”, being Covid-compliant will be a key solution to getting businesses back up and running again. Whilst employees are keen to get back to normal office life by looking for “workspaces to rent in London”, there is also an unease as to how this will pan out. For most companies, looking for workspaces to rent in London takes a lot of this stress and worry away as our offices already have strict health and safety plans in place including:

• Increased sanitisation – all of our workspaces to rent in London (and indeed the rest of the UK) are being disinfected more frequently and are being stocked with hand sanitiser and gloves at appropriate places throughout office buildings.
• Personal Space – by modifying our office layouts to make sure that seating is staggered and spaced out and adding screens between desks means that you can be sure that you will be safe when searching for a “shared workspace near me”.
• Signs – All of our offices will be clearly signed, and capacity controlled to make sure that you feel comfortable and safe with the rules.

Long Term Remote Working

One thing that the pandemic has really highlighted is that people do not need to conform to the traditional office 9-5 environment to be able to be productive and get the work done. Prior to this, it was very rare that you would get consistent remote workers, and so nothing had really been implemented for working away from the office. Now however, we are more likely to see people working from home or using workspaces to rent in London long after the pandemic is over. Partly due to future proofing in case we are locked down again, and partly because it works better for both employers and employees. It is far easier to use workspaces to rent in London than it is to invest in a home office setup for each employee with ergonomic furniture and computer equipment. This is not to say that the traditional office will disappear completely, but you are likely to see more people searching for “flexible workspace near me” and an increase in remote workers.

Temporary Office Space

With so much uncertainty in business following Coronavirus, looking for a “flexible workspace near me” could be the answer to many struggling companies. It is no secret that the pandemic put changes into motion that have affected everyone, no matter how small or large your business is. So, if you are wanting to scale back slightly or your business has boomed over lockdown, by finding workspaces to rent in London (or anywhere in the UK) you know that you have all the perks and benefits of a Covid-safe office without having to worry about long commitments and overheads. Simply search for a “shared workspace near me” on our app, book a space and start working! Using temporary office space is set to increase following lockdown restrictions easing as it means people have nothing to worry about office wise and can simply focus on getting their businesses back on track.

Flexible hours

Following the theme of uncertainty, one of the increasingly popular workspace solutions is to give employees more flexible hours. If your child’s school has had to close suddenly for example, it would come in handy to know that you can work different hours to be able to manage extra jobs during the day. With a lot of proven productivity occurring, having deviated away from the traditional 9-5, more and more companies are set to adopt flexible working hours to help employees’ wellbeing. This fits in perfectly with a lot of our workspaces to rent in London which offer flexible opening hours to fit in if you still want to enjoy the routine of an office no matter what time you are working.

Hybrid working

Across all different trades and industries, we are likely to see people working in a more agile way. Hybrid working brings together aspects of remote working and office working, giving employees the freedom to choose where they work – whether that be in the office, using workspaces to rent in London or working from home. Employee priorities have changed over the past 18 months, and more businesses agree that this type of flexible approach needs to be taken more seriously. Employees who are wanting to return back to work but don’t want the long commute can simply look for “flexible workspaces near me” and set up in a different, safe place each day. It gives people more choice and this evolving attitude towards work means people feel more valued by their company.

Final Thoughts…

There is no doubt that COVID-19 has had a lasting effect on lots of companies and businesses and has forced a lot of people to re-evaluate how they work and their priorities. Companies are now putting employee’s mental health and wellbeing at the top of the list and employers are listening to what their employees feel works best. There is no denying that it has been proven that remote working from home or using workspaces to rent in London have worked and can continue to do so in the future. It could be that people solely want to work from home, or they want to do hybrid working by looking for a “flexible workspace near me” working their own hours, or a mixture of the two.

Flexibility is the key theme going forward, and whether that means a full on change in how your company works or smaller, thoughtful changes – there will definitely be new and exciting changes implemented as we start to come back to work. What we do know is that people are starting to slowly move away from the traditional office environment and 9-5 structure. Workplaces and offices are evolving, so it’s time to look to the future and join in!

Whatever industry or trade you are looking to start-up in, it can be a minefield navigating what business space will meet your requirements. You want something flexible where you can host meetings and chat with clients, whilst also wanting somewhere quiet where you can focus and get your head down when it really matters. The last thing that you want to be doing is wasting all your time and energy worrying about finding somewhere that can suit your needs now when you are growing as a business, and somewhere that will work for you when you are more established in the future. This is why renting coworking space is the perfect solution, and we have put together a few tips to help you find the perfect guide to help you find the best start-up office space for you and your business.

We’ve got what you need

Picking the ideal office space can help to boost your company’s success in terms of productivity, networking and client exposure and general employee moral and positivity. Here are some of our top tips for you to think about before you choose your coworking desks:

1. Location location location!

When you start looking for “coworking spaces near me”, the first thing you need to think about is where do you want your new office to be located? You may have already picked out which town or city you want to use, but there are pros and cons to all areas. It needs to be somewhere accessible for your clients and employees, as well as having good amenities close by to ensure you get the best customer lunches! If you choose to use coworking desks instead of committing to a full office, you do not need to pick one permanent location. The best part of renting coworking space is that you could choose a different location every month, week or even day to make sure that it fulfills your requirements. You could be close to different customers when needed, have somewhere you do not have to commute as long to or even just pick somewhere close to your favourite sandwich shop to make your afternoon that little bit better. By being able to choose different coworking desks on a flexible basis, it means that you can open new networking opportunities and meet people that you wouldn’t normally if you had committed to a fixed and traditional office space.

2. Office Equipment / Facilities

When you are just starting out, the last thing that you want to be doing is worrying about expensive furniture, equipment and maintaining office facilities! You want to be able to focus your budget elsewhere and leave all the worry to someone else. When you are renting a coworking space, you don’t have to worry about anything. All of our coworking desks and shared office spaces are fully equipped with ergonomic office furniture, high spec electronics and even receptions and kitchens. You will have access to Wi-Fi, printers, scanners and meeting rooms, and some of our coworking desks are located in buildings that have their own gyms, outdoor areas and even bars for a well-deserved after-work drink! And the best thing about it is you won’t have to worry about spending a lot of money to get yourself up and running.

3. Price

So, we’ve mentioned already that you won’t have to worry about spending money on office equipment when you are looking for “coworking spaces near me” but renting coworking space is also the most cost-effective office solution out there. You will be able to enjoy all the perks of a traditional office, without having to worry about long, expensive leases. By using coworking desks, it also means that you don’t have to worry about building maintenance or insurance, it is all included in the price. Whether you are looking for daily rates or monthly rates, all of our coworking desk fees are available to check before you use, meaning that there are no hidden fees or nasty surprises! It doesn’t matter if you are looking for a large office in the middle of London, or a smaller office on the outskirts – the price you see on the website is the price that you will be paying. This means that by renting coworking space it is easier to budget for start-up company’s and means that you take all the stress a way of finding the perfect office to use.

4. How you want the space to work

You might already have an idea of how you want to use our coworking desks and office space, or you might not have a clue which direction your business will take you. The beauty of renting coworking space means that you don’t have to worry about anything! One day you may want to use quiet phone booths to focus and make confidential calls, and the next day you might want a vibrant meeting room to bounce ideas around. By looking for “coworking spaces near me”, you can make the offices work around you rather than trying to fit your business and ideas into a traditional office! You can see what you have coming up each week or month and plan and book the right spaces accordingly. It really does give you a huge amount of flexibility – you won’t want to return to a traditional office environment once you have tried our coworking desks!

5. Your projected workforce

As a start-up business, this may be something that has not crossed your mind yet, but you will need to think about where you want to end up – especially how many employees you think you may have. One of the best parts about renting coworking space is that you don’t need to worry! You can have as many or as few coworking desks as you like (or need!) and you don’t all need to worry about squeezing into the tiny office that suited your original budget. Renting coworking space means that you can grow when your business grows, without having to wait for rental leases to be finished. You can let your business flourish without having to worry about space and rent costs.

Ultimately, start-up businesses need office solutions that are flexible, low cost and allow networking. All of our coworking desks and shared offices will work around what you and your employees do. Whether that be offices in different towns to suit different customers, or you need somewhere quiet to sit and focus on the task in hand, finding a traditional office that suits all of your business needs and requirements can be a tricky task. With coworking desks, all you need to do is open our app, search for coworking desks near me, and find your dream office. The opportunities are endless!

No one can deny it, Coronavirus has changed a lot of our ‘normal’ life and routine, and our work environment has also been affected. 2020 brought many new changes and we all had to learn to navigate a rapidly changing environment. The pandemic has highlighted a new and more flexible way to work, with employers wanting to support and do what is best for employees. We are going to take a look at some of the key trends that are set to shape how we work in 2021.

1. Flexible Workspaces

For some companies, hot desking in London (and indeed all over the UK) was standard practice. But for the majority of people and businesses, it was something new and probably unheard of before. The Covid-19 pandemic created a shift in how we work – more people were forced to become remote workers, working from home. Many were choosing flexible hours to fit in with childcare and it totally altered how we view the traditional 9-5 office-based jobs. Demand for traditional offices and structured working hours will begin to dwindle, as working from home has shown companies that employees can still be productive whilst fitting work around other commitments – people are still getting results without the formal office environment. More people will be choosing to look for hot desk hire in London to find somewhere closer to home to save on a commute, and companies may start to introduce even more flexible work policies such as working 3 days in the office and 2 days from home or simply hot desking in London. No doubt online searches such as hot desking near me, or hot desking in London, will begin to surge and it will be the start of a new, more adaptable and relaxed working era.

2. Covid Safe Environments

Following on from this, people who are returning to work are going to have safety as a top priority. Whether you are going back to your traditional office, or you are looking for hot desk hire in London, companies will start looking to experts to help make the office environments covid safe with the correct health and safety measures in place. Both the traditional office set up and hot desking in London environments have lots of different parts and aspects to consider when looking at covid safety measures, and businesses will be putting extra care and effort into making sure that nothing is overlooked in this 2021 work life trend.

3. Collaborative workspaces

This is very similar to the idea of flexible working but focuses more on traditional remote and home workers being able to find hot desk hire in London, or anywhere in the UK, to set up for a day in an office environment. If a company had people working remotely before the pandemic, it is now showing there has been an increase in more employees looking for “hot desking near me” to find somewhere for human contact and socialisation. Lockdown had an effect on everyone, and more people are realising that they need the atmosphere and buzz of an office, rather than choosing to work from home. Collaborative offices are being designed with more agile layouts to help increase employee engagement, boost morale and improve productivity of remote workers. Hot desk hire in London is predicted to go through the roof now that lockdown is easing.

4. Employee mental health and wellbeing

Coming out of a global pandemic is no mean feat, and there will be a greater focus on employers looking after their staff’s wellbeing and mental health than ever before. Whilst working from home people have seen more of their colleagues and employees lives than ever before – video meetings with children crying and dogs barking, elderly parents that you didn’t know needed looking after, and untidy houses when people are just simply burnt out. It has shown that everyone is human, and this is now top of the list for most employers who have a greater responsibility to look after their team. Some members will benefit from using flexible hot desking in London to shorten commute times, whilst others might prefer coming back to the traditional office surrounded by friendly faces. It is predicted that employers will start to offer more options and flexibility to help with mental health, such as finding a hot desk in London that employees can use to fit around their schedules. It has been a massive year with a lot of change and most employers simply want to help and support their workforce.

5. Digital enhancements

As most of us know, video meetings have become crucial over the past year. Previously, they were mainly used to connect with people and customers that were at the other end of the country, or in a different one altogether! But it has now become a daily routine that keeps all employees and colleagues connected when we have to isolate ourselves at home. This will only carry on increasing in 2021, especially with employers allowing their employees to be more flexible, hot desking in London, instead of being in the office. The increase of video collaboration software means that you can connect wherever you are, – at home, when using a hot desk hire in London, or if you are self-isolating. Many employers will be investing in courses and qualifications for many of their staff to upskill them and make sure that they are ahead of the digital game.

6. Sustainability

Even with the pandemic last year, the topic of climate change was still widely talked about. What was brought to many people’s attention was how much pollution had been reduced by people simply staying at home and not commuting – it did the environment a lot of good! As we slowly start to open back up, many businesses want to continue with sustainable ways of working. This goes hand in hand with the flexible work options – people can work from home, or they can use hot desk hire in London to reduce commute times, or simply not commute as often! They could work from home a couple of days a week and then they could be hot desking in London for the rest of the week. Whatever employers choose to do, sustainability and the environment will be a key trend in 2021 and the foreseeable future.

Whilst 2020 might have been the most challenging year that some of us have faced with global challenges and being forced to adapt to new circumstances, it is important to look at 2021 as a time for us to come back better and stronger. With employers focusing on employee mental health more than ever before and flexible options such as hot desking in London becoming increasingly more popular – it is safe to say that workplaces are continuously shifting to become places of compassion and innovative ideas. Businesses have had to grow and learn quicker than ever before, and with the end of lockdown in sight the modern workplace can only get better.

1. 57 Southwark Street

This shared office space London truly stands out from the crowd – dark bold colours, exposed brick walls and funky geometric lighting gives this office a stylish and creative vibe to it. Located right in the middle of the London Bridge district, 57 Southwark Street is perfect for commuters as it is ideally situated within walking distance of Waterloo, Southwark, London Bridge and Borough tube stations. The onsite staff are on hand for whatever you need and deliver a high class of hospitality for you and your clients. There are meeting rooms, private booths, a roof terrace with breath-taking views and even a dedicated events space with a bar – what is not to love about this gorgeous shared space in London?

Click this link to find out more: https://www.bludesks.com/privateoffice/united-kingdom/london/19-desk-office-57-southwark-street/101270

2. Birchin Court

A bright, funky and fresh shared office space in London, Birchin Court is literally minutes away from Bank station and right in the middle of London. A fun yet professional environment, this shared office London is light and airy, and there are even shower facilities on the ground floor! Always kept to high cleanliness standards, the team at Birchin Court are professional so you know you can take your customers and clients there to impress them! You get the choice of meeting spaces, private booths and breakout areas, so there is something to suit every need.

Click this link to find out more: https://www.bludesks.com/privateoffice/united-kingdom/london/16-desk-office-birchin-court-bank-/101268

3. Finsbury House

Finsbury House is a shared office space in London that brings old and new together in a beautiful, listed building located next to Finsbury Circus. With everything from a gym and shower room, to a stylish Executive Lounge, this shared space in London perfectly embodies old world glamour in a modern and exciting way. Enjoy all the mod cons, inducing wi-fi and air conditioning, whilst embracing its historic charm. The staff provide outstanding hospitality to you and your clients, you won’t need to worry about a thing if you book this shared office in London. You can also help yourself to free refreshments – what are you waiting for?

Click this link for more information: https://www.bludesks.com/privateoffice/united-kingdom/london/29-desk-office-finsbury-house-finsbury-circus/101258

4. The Brew Eagle House

A funky and eccentric shared office in London, the Brew Eagle House truly is a fun and energising place to work. Before it was restored, the Brew Eagle was a 1920’s dance hall and still retains some of its original features. A fantastically quirky shared space in London, you will find lots of colour and something different in every room – it will definitely get the creative juices flowing! A deceptively spacious interior houses breakout areas, an event space, executive meeting rooms and places for you to hot desk when necessary. Conveniently located a short walk away from Old Street Underground Station, this shared office space in London is perfect for those who like something a little different.

Click here to find out more: https://www.bludesks.com/fixed-dedicateddesk/united-kingdom/london/the-brew-eagle-house/101629

5. The Workers League

With not just one shared office in London but 4 different locations, the Workers League is a member’s club that provides brilliant workspaces for all different kinds of trades. Each shared space in London is light, airy and stylish to help you grow your business. With lounges, co working spaces and meeting rooms available to use, there is something to suit everyone. There is free coffee and fresh fruit each day, and you can even stop for a complimentary beer on the courtyard bar in Shoreditch if you want to treat yourself one afternoon. These smart, professional and modern shared offices in London are the perfect place to get your head down and focus.

Click here to find out more information: https://www.bludesks.com/hotdesk-coworkingspace/united-kingdom/london/the-workers-league-old-street-shoreditch/101172

6. Petty France

Located on the south side of Petty France directly next to Victoria and St James’s Park stations, this shared office space in London is a beautifully converted historic building. With features like breakout areas, a private gym, a stunning roof terrace and a spacious event space, these boutique offices have everything that your business needs in an office. With gorgeous décor and helpful staff, nothing is too much trouble at this shared space in London – you know that you and your clients will be in good hands in Petty France.

Click here to find out more: https://www.bludesks.com/privateoffice/united-kingdom/london/40-desk-office-petty-france-victoria/101255

7. The Co-Dalston

The Co-Dalston is a quirky, welcoming shared office space in London, located close to Dalston Kingsland. Ideal for creative freelancers, start-ups and small businesses, this vegan-friendly shared space in London features coworking desks and meeting rooms, a grab and go café and even pop up retail shops! With funky and eclectic décor, there is even a fully fitted professional kitchen for pop-up restaurants, market venders and delivery services. This shared office in London has a homely and family vibe to it, you will certainly want to move in when you have visited!

Click here to find out more information: https://www.bludesks.com/hotdesk-coworkingspace/united-kingdom/london/the-co-dalston-hackney-/101579

Professional, Safe and Clean

With the world slowly coming back to normal following the pandemic, it is more important than ever that your shared office space in London is safe and clean. All the shared spaces that we advertise here and on the website are Covid-Safe and will help you and your employees to return to work safely and get back to the new normal. There will be social distancing in place indoors, so you can work at a safe distance from other users in your shared space in London. There are also fantastic hygiene measures in place including cleaning and disinfecting to stop infection spread, hand sanitisers in all of the shared spaces, and work areas will be fully cleaned and sanitised in between each customer visiting to make sure that your shared office in London is as safe as possible. There will also be signs everywhere to outline exactly what each office has in place to look after you and your customers. So, don’t put off coming back to work in our coworking offices – as long as you follow the guidelines and stay alert, you will be safe following all the measures that are in place. Let’s get back to normal!

Why do people thrive in coworking spaces?

A flexible workspace London, or anywhere in the UK, is basically a type of office that you can hire either a whole room or simply a desk and pay by the hour or month. Traditionally used by freelancers or business start-ups, a shared workspace in London is increasingly being used by a wide variety of companies and employees alike.

There are several different terms used within this industry, and it is easy to get confused. We’ve put together a little list to explain what terms are used when looking for workspaces to rent London:

• Hot Desk – this simply means that no desk is assigned to one person. All you do is find a free space on your app and turn up! You will be working at a different desk each day
• Dedicated desk – These are workstations in a shared workspace in London that are assigned to specific individuals. You will have the same desk each day so you don’t need to worry about clearing it each evening.
• Shared office space/ Coworking space – This is exactly the same thing as a flexible workspace in London! It is just that different people use different phrases – don’t worry, they all mean the same thing.

What do shared office spaces include?

All of our shared workspace London can be adapted to suit each company and their needs, but there are certain basic elements that all spaces have. They will include all of your office essentials such as wi-fi, office furniture, cleaning staff and appliances, but most will also include:

• Reception staff – these are here to help you with whatever you need, and some can even take calls and messages for you if required.
• Meeting rooms – you can choose to hire private meetings rooms where you can meet clients or have team discussions without disturbing anyone else.
• Event spaces – many flexible workspaces in London also offer dedicated event spaces so you won’t be paying over the odds to host your event.
• Breakout rooms and spaces – these are for when you need to get away and take a break from your work, and normally involve comfy chairs and sofas!
• Gym facilities – many of our shared workspaces in London also have access to their own private gym area so you don’t need to be travelling all over the city
• Shower facilities – for when you have used the gym or rode your bike to work!
• Quiet areas – sometimes, you just need a quiet space where you can get your head down and focus. Many shared offices offer quiet workspaces to rent in London and all over the UK, so you aren’t disturbed by other people.

Who uses flexible office spaces?

The amazing thing about flexible office spaces is that literally anyone can use them! As we said before, traditionally they were used by freelancers and start up businesses but more recently, established businesses have been taking advantage of workspaces to rent in London to help build and grow their companies. So, who actually uses them?

• Remote and home workers – this is a big one, especially since the pandemic meant that most people were working from home. It has shown that you don’t all need to be in the same office building to get the job done. More people are continuing to work from home as it’s easier and more flexible, but sometimes you just need the buzz of an office!
• New Businesses – using a shared workspace in London is perfect for those businesses who are just starting out. You don’t want to be committing to long and expensive leases if you are new, and you get the perks of a fully equipped and furnished office without having to worry about the upkeep.
• Small businesses – this is a similar idea; you can focus on growing your established small business without having to worry about overheads and lengthy rent contracts. All you need is a space in a flexible workspace in London and you can focus on what really matters.
• Meeting rooms – even if you have a traditional office set up, there may be times when you need a larger or better equipped meeting room to host customers and clients. All you need to do is hire one of the many meeting rooms and enjoy the benefits without you or your customer having to travel too far.
• Freelancers – whilst working from home is brilliantly flexible, sometimes you do need to concentrate and get your head down. All you need to do is search for one of our workspaces to rent in London and hire a desk for the day. You can even network and meet potential new clients, whilst enjoying the perks of an office.

What are the benefits of flexible office spaces?

For those who are not familiar with the setup of a shared workspace in London, then it does seem a bit complicated – but there are so many different benefits!

• Cost effective – by choosing a workspace to rent in London, you will definitely be saving money. No long and expensive leases or building maintenance, you can pay by the hour or by the month and still have access to fantastic offices.
• Perks – you will have access to wi-fi, ergonomic furniture, printers and scanners, as well as meeting rooms, all included in the same price.
• Flexible – as well as the different pay options, our flexible workspaces in London offer different opening times to traditional offices, meaning you can work when it suits you.
• Increase in productivity – by allowing employees to work remotely but still in a professional setting, using a shared workspace in London has been shown to increase productivity and focus.

These are just a few of the benefits that hiring a flexible workspace in London has to offer. It is easy to see why more and more people are using shared office spaces. You can give your company a chance to thrive and grow whilst being exposed to new people and trades. You no longer have to stick by the traditional office rules – you can create your own space to suit you and your employees needs. It is not simply renting a desk by the hour; you get so much more with a shared workspace in London – step into the future of work now and take a look at some of the amazing spaces we have to offer.