Average office occupancy steadies at 35%

UK office occupancy rates have experienced a small but sustained uptick in recent weeks, maintaining average levels above 35% since the end of October. This is the most prolonged period at these levels since the lifting of lockdown restrictions, according to the latest data from Remit Consulting. Remit Consulting’s data highlights that most cities in the UK have seen a rise in office attendance in recent weeks, with the most recent data (from the week ending 29 November) showing a national, weekly average of 35.4%. Last week, London saw a national average of 35.5%, while the weekly average in Edinburgh was 36.9%. The Scottish capital has seen a continual improvement over the past month, with daily occupancy rates frequently reaching between 35% and 40%. “The sustained improvement in the occupancy rates indicates a steady recovery in workplace attendance, particularly in key urban centres such as London and Edinburgh. This suggests a gradual shift towards in-person collaboration, as businesses balance flexibility with the value of face-to-face interaction,” said Remit’s Lorna Landells. Remit’s office attendance data continues to show consistent peaks between Tuesday and Thursday, regularly surpassing 40%, but most recently Fridays have seen a modest increase. The number of external visitors to office buildings in Remit’s research sample has been volatile, but the overall trend is positive, showing a marked improvement compared to earlier in the year. “While the steady increase across most cities is encouraging and is a positive sign, managing these occupancy trends remains a challenge for businesses, particularly those striving to optimise workspace usage while minimising overheads,” added Landells.   Image © James Veysey/Shutterstock