The remote work honeymoon is over

COMMENT It hardly seems like five years since that momentous evening when then-prime minister Boris Johnson gave a televised address to the nation, telling us all to “stay at home”, but many of the changes to our lives brought about by it do feel a lifetime ago. One aspect of Covid-19 that remained after lockdowns were lifted was working from home. Although WFH wasn’t unheard of before Covid, it had a dramatic effect on the way millions worked after 2020, leaving usually bustling offices and city centres nearly empty as people logged on virtually. But for many people, the remote work honeymoon is now over, and businesses are realising the cost of not having any time in the office with colleagues: fractured teams and lost innovation. The latest Virgin Media O2 business movers index shows nearly 90% of British workers are now subject to some form of mandatory office attendance policies, with employers requiring more in-office days. Although flexibility for employees remains key, the most successful companies know that dynamic, well-designed office spaces fuel creativity, collaboration and culture in a way remote working simply can’t. Smaller footprints A recent report by Centre for Cities illustrated the growing trend to return to the office in London; days in for full-time workers in the capital have increased from about two in spring 2023 to three on average by last summer. With five central London sites, including Liverpool Street, St Paul’s and Monument, we at Office Space in Town are directly witnessing this increase in footfall back into the workplace, with all the desks on the mezzanine floor in our recently refurbished Liverpool Street already occupied. The market has taken notice of this movement too, with Savills reporting that £1bn was invested in the UK office market in the third quarter of 2024, nearly doubling the previous quarter’s total and representing a 7% increase on the same period in 2023. Yet these remaining one or two days when people work from home means that businesses have had to rethink how they source their workspaces, what is offered by them and how to ensure they get the best value for money. Since the coronavirus pandemic, we have seen a shift in how companies use office space, with many leaseholders reducing their footprint as they embrace hybrid working models. Companies have realised that it often makes the most sense to rent flexible office spaces that accommodate a combination of employees in the office and at home, as opposed to leasing a space every working day of the year. Alongside this, employers know that they must provide employees with great office designs, convenient locations and amenities to create compelling work environments. Tenants in wonderland We are adapting our buildings to provide not only more desks and meeting rooms, but also more gym space, breakout space, bike racks, showers, laundry services and coffee machines – all put into place to elevate expectations of the traditional office experience. These spaces can be rented on a lease or flexible basis, allowing businesses to pay only for the time they need, providing an ideal solution for companies seeking a prestigious city-centre base without the commitment of a long-term office lease. We have also gone to great lengths to inspire imagination in the workplace, with our offices in London designed with unique themes such as Alice in Wonderland’ and Monopoly to create fully functional yet interesting serviced work environments which offer accommodate the evolving needs of today’s businesses. I have seen first-hand how inspiring work environments bring people together, spark new ideas and drive business success. Companies calling employees back aren’t resisting change –they’re embracing the future of work. The real competitive edge lies in workplaces that offer both flexibility and an energising space where teams want to be. Georgia Sandom is managing director at Office Space in Town