WFH - a new model
Discussion
Just curious really. In view of the current situation, do we think that businesses will wake up to the cost reality of people working in office spaces and allow more flexibility for employees to work from home? Whilst I appreciate some people simply don't have the space or right environment (children, etc) and certain jobs simply don't allow it, will this become more of the norm?
Also appreciate that if you've always worked in an office environment, it can be quite an adjustment and, ironically, quite isolating. Does anyone think there's scope for more office 'hubs' where a number of individuals can have a dedicated work space (perhaps on month to month, subscription model) with shared facilities in a larger unit? Appreciate there are office spaces in cities (the likes of Regus, etc) for smaller businesses, but what about for individuals?
If you work from home on a regular basis, would you consider setting up your single desk office in a suitable serviced environment with other individuals in a similar industry. Would employers give an allowance for remote employees to work in that sort of environment?
I've been looking for a tenant on behalf of my Dad - it's 5500sq feet of office/retail space in a great rural setting - proving too large as a single unit to find a tenant. Wondered if there'd be a market to investigate the above. Almost like a small business park model, but for individual workers.
Any thoughts would be much appreciated.
Emma
Also appreciate that if you've always worked in an office environment, it can be quite an adjustment and, ironically, quite isolating. Does anyone think there's scope for more office 'hubs' where a number of individuals can have a dedicated work space (perhaps on month to month, subscription model) with shared facilities in a larger unit? Appreciate there are office spaces in cities (the likes of Regus, etc) for smaller businesses, but what about for individuals?
If you work from home on a regular basis, would you consider setting up your single desk office in a suitable serviced environment with other individuals in a similar industry. Would employers give an allowance for remote employees to work in that sort of environment?
I've been looking for a tenant on behalf of my Dad - it's 5500sq feet of office/retail space in a great rural setting - proving too large as a single unit to find a tenant. Wondered if there'd be a market to investigate the above. Almost like a small business park model, but for individual workers.
Any thoughts would be much appreciated.
Emma
Maybe somewhere in the middle, or a bit of both:
What you are describing sounds much like Regus hot desking. I think your experience of not being able to find a tenant for a larger space is symptomatic of the general move towards flexible working where businesses often dont need to have 50 people all in the same building most of the time. The c19 crisis has accelerated the trend.
We were about to buy a 2nd office unit (but have put it on hold until everything has resolved) and our plan was to split it down into small 500-750 sq ft spaces on the same reasoning you describe. Commercial property agents at our 1st building and the new one (in different parts of the country) have said that demand for smaller units (1000sq ft and below) generally outstrips supply, with larger units often remaining empty/harder to fill.
Hope that gives some food for thought.
What you are describing sounds much like Regus hot desking. I think your experience of not being able to find a tenant for a larger space is symptomatic of the general move towards flexible working where businesses often dont need to have 50 people all in the same building most of the time. The c19 crisis has accelerated the trend.
We were about to buy a 2nd office unit (but have put it on hold until everything has resolved) and our plan was to split it down into small 500-750 sq ft spaces on the same reasoning you describe. Commercial property agents at our 1st building and the new one (in different parts of the country) have said that demand for smaller units (1000sq ft and below) generally outstrips supply, with larger units often remaining empty/harder to fill.
Hope that gives some food for thought.
Can't believe the enviro-lobby aren't already banging on about it...
Business costs reduced as they just need a few desks for office based staff and a handful of hot desks.
People pissing away less of their life and money on commuting so they're less tired and have more to spend, thus stimulating the economy.
Also, look how much quieter the roads are when the schools are off. Why the hell do we have a small number of huge schools that are a long commute by road for many kids when communities could all be served by small, local schools within walking distance?
- Less air pollution.
- Less overcrowding on public transport.
- People who still have to travel cause less pollution because their vehicle is traveling at a more consistent speed due to the roads being less congested.
Business costs reduced as they just need a few desks for office based staff and a handful of hot desks.
People pissing away less of their life and money on commuting so they're less tired and have more to spend, thus stimulating the economy.
Also, look how much quieter the roads are when the schools are off. Why the hell do we have a small number of huge schools that are a long commute by road for many kids when communities could all be served by small, local schools within walking distance?
skintemma said:
Just curious really. In view of the current situation, do we think that businesses will wake up to the cost reality of people working in office spaces and allow more flexibility for employees to work from home? Whilst I appreciate some people simply don't have the space or right environment (children, etc) and certain jobs simply don't allow it, will this become more of the norm?
Also appreciate that if you've always worked in an office environment, it can be quite an adjustment and, ironically, quite isolating. Does anyone think there's scope for more office 'hubs' where a number of individuals can have a dedicated work space (perhaps on month to month, subscription model) with shared facilities in a larger unit? Appreciate there are office spaces in cities (the likes of Regus, etc) for smaller businesses, but what about for individuals?
If you work from home on a regular basis, would you consider setting up your single desk office in a suitable serviced environment with other individuals in a similar industry. Would employers give an allowance for remote employees to work in that sort of environment?
I've been looking for a tenant on behalf of my Dad - it's 5500sq feet of office/retail space in a great rural setting - proving too large as a single unit to find a tenant. Wondered if there'd be a market to investigate the above. Almost like a small business park model, but for individual workers.
Any thoughts would be much appreciated.
Emma
I am not a huge fan of the rent a desk model, but if you have 5,500 sq ft in a decent location, just split it up and let to 5 - 10 different companies.Also appreciate that if you've always worked in an office environment, it can be quite an adjustment and, ironically, quite isolating. Does anyone think there's scope for more office 'hubs' where a number of individuals can have a dedicated work space (perhaps on month to month, subscription model) with shared facilities in a larger unit? Appreciate there are office spaces in cities (the likes of Regus, etc) for smaller businesses, but what about for individuals?
If you work from home on a regular basis, would you consider setting up your single desk office in a suitable serviced environment with other individuals in a similar industry. Would employers give an allowance for remote employees to work in that sort of environment?
I've been looking for a tenant on behalf of my Dad - it's 5500sq feet of office/retail space in a great rural setting - proving too large as a single unit to find a tenant. Wondered if there'd be a market to investigate the above. Almost like a small business park model, but for individual workers.
Any thoughts would be much appreciated.
Emma
I do that with an estate in Surrey and we get very good rents for it.
Thanks for responses so far, it's much appreciated. Initially, I thought about setting up a 'creative hub' (my background is media - well, many moons ago it was) so it seemed like an obvious one. Many people in the industry are now working from home but it does lose some of the creative process. An office environment means you bounce off each other, a home office means you just procrastinate and plumb the depths of social media whilst raiding the fridge...
I also thought about the space that's available. As well as permanent desks, it could incorporate a photographic studio/artists space/pottery kilns, etc and there is another 5000 sq ft to grow into. There's plenty of parking and outside space. It is rural, but about 3 miles from a market town and about 15mins to the A1. Could use some of the space as a conference/meeting room and has kitchen, WCs, etc already.
I guess I'll have to do some market research to gauge local need and pricing structure, etc
Any more thoughts, do keep them coming.
Emma
I also thought about the space that's available. As well as permanent desks, it could incorporate a photographic studio/artists space/pottery kilns, etc and there is another 5000 sq ft to grow into. There's plenty of parking and outside space. It is rural, but about 3 miles from a market town and about 15mins to the A1. Could use some of the space as a conference/meeting room and has kitchen, WCs, etc already.
I guess I'll have to do some market research to gauge local need and pricing structure, etc
Any more thoughts, do keep them coming.
Emma
It's Northamptonshire, PE8 area.
Agree about the splitting it up, locally the rural business parks are always full - it also spreads the risk. As I said, it's my Dad's premises. He's not really in a position to make the decisions and we'd hoped to find a single rental as an expedient solution (infact, we had a start up dog day care place going in but it fell through - think she got cold feet). Clearly, after a year of little interest (aside from a kids activity centre) we need to have a rethink and invest if necessary.
Currently, half (the spare 'growth' 5000 sq ft is rented as single storage - but is on a service contract) and the other half (it's actually 6300 sq ft) is sitting empty. It is on with a local agent but I think we need to think a bit more outside the box.
Thanks all, really do appreciate it.
Emma
Agree about the splitting it up, locally the rural business parks are always full - it also spreads the risk. As I said, it's my Dad's premises. He's not really in a position to make the decisions and we'd hoped to find a single rental as an expedient solution (infact, we had a start up dog day care place going in but it fell through - think she got cold feet). Clearly, after a year of little interest (aside from a kids activity centre) we need to have a rethink and invest if necessary.
Currently, half (the spare 'growth' 5000 sq ft is rented as single storage - but is on a service contract) and the other half (it's actually 6300 sq ft) is sitting empty. It is on with a local agent but I think we need to think a bit more outside the box.
Thanks all, really do appreciate it.
Emma
Yes, I refused the kids place. He doesn't need the money that badly. 'Hey, we want to find a place to drop our screaming kids off because we don't want them blowing off steam at home.' Can you even imagine? Although I could do it on a temporary basis, charge what I like and make a killing!
My dad lives on site and tempting though it sometimes is, I don't want him popping off just yet.
My dad lives on site and tempting though it sometimes is, I don't want him popping off just yet.
I’m in Hampshire so don’t cover your patch. I’m having a similar issue with a c4500sf converted barn that has B1 use. No takers for it as a whole and even looking to lease it to multiple occupiers you then have challenges in regard to shared facilities (kitchen/wcs) and the practicality of billing utilities, internal security etc etc. It’s a tough one. Price is a big consideration of course, not to mention the business rates on something that size will be high I imagine.
Edited by anonymous-user on Saturday 21st March 18:25
I'd like to see WFH or flexible working introduced, I work in IT as part of a european team, we cover a set number of hours in mainland, I can do my job remotely, as proven by current events, so there is no reason not to be able to have relaxed hours etc.
Saying that, we have very modern offices, and they were setup so we had a UK base for people to visit. Generally there are 4 staff members in most of the times, but once a month 20+ and once a quarter 60 people. We also have a training facility, so visitors to that too. The office is very spread out and I imagine some would be able to get maybe 100 people full time working, so a space for 4 of us to knock about in is frankly a waste.
The office will always be there, as if not, we have to fly people to France or Germany. As long as it is, I'd still like to visit the office and interact with people!
Saying that, we have very modern offices, and they were setup so we had a UK base for people to visit. Generally there are 4 staff members in most of the times, but once a month 20+ and once a quarter 60 people. We also have a training facility, so visitors to that too. The office is very spread out and I imagine some would be able to get maybe 100 people full time working, so a space for 4 of us to knock about in is frankly a waste.
The office will always be there, as if not, we have to fly people to France or Germany. As long as it is, I'd still like to visit the office and interact with people!
I work in construction but what I do, I can do it remotely. I’ve been working from home a day or two a week for the past couple of years and if nothing else it’s a rest from the commute sat in traffic. I think it works well, I’ve got a home office set up and plenty of space.
The biggest hurdle though is the industries view that if you’re not at work, either on site or in the office (i.e. working form home), you’re skiving.
The biggest hurdle though is the industries view that if you’re not at work, either on site or in the office (i.e. working form home), you’re skiving.
We have a number of these SME focused hot desk "hubs" in Leeds centre. In fact our Santander has a work cafe, which is essentially the same thing. I use it quite often if I want to escape my home office.
https://www.santanderworkcafe.co.uk/
Free to use, subsidised coffee and food, free seminars (more aimed at tech start ups IMO), bookable (free) meeting rooms if wanted.
I do often think its ironic these hubs for the self-employed are generally based in the city, leading to the same commuting/parking/transport woes of a "normal" office. I wonder how one would fair in a commuter belt more rural setting, where someone could park, rent a desk and escape home.
https://www.santanderworkcafe.co.uk/
Free to use, subsidised coffee and food, free seminars (more aimed at tech start ups IMO), bookable (free) meeting rooms if wanted.
I do often think its ironic these hubs for the self-employed are generally based in the city, leading to the same commuting/parking/transport woes of a "normal" office. I wonder how one would fair in a commuter belt more rural setting, where someone could park, rent a desk and escape home.
I passed through Manchester Airport 2-weekends ago. While it was evident that holiday travel was not being affected, at that time, it was equally evident that the business suits had gone.
All of a sudden those important international meetings and conferences could be dome differently. I suspect that once this is finally over, the need for business travel will remain greatly reduced.
All of a sudden those important international meetings and conferences could be dome differently. I suspect that once this is finally over, the need for business travel will remain greatly reduced.
rdjohn said:
I passed through Manchester Airport 2-weekends ago. While it was evident that holiday travel was not being affected, at that time, it was equally evident that the business suits had gone.
All of a sudden those important international meetings and conferences could be dome differently. I suspect that once this is finally over, the need for business travel will remain greatly reduced.
I've been thinking (and saying) this for a number of years. The motorways used to be (I don't know about know) well populated with people going to places they really didn't need to go to.All of a sudden those important international meetings and conferences could be dome differently. I suspect that once this is finally over, the need for business travel will remain greatly reduced.
singlecoil said:
rdjohn said:
I passed through Manchester Airport 2-weekends ago. While it was evident that holiday travel was not being affected, at that time, it was equally evident that the business suits had gone.
All of a sudden those important international meetings and conferences could be dome differently. I suspect that once this is finally over, the need for business travel will remain greatly reduced.
I've been thinking (and saying) this for a number of years. The motorways used to be (I don't know about know) well populated with people going to places they really didn't need to go to.All of a sudden those important international meetings and conferences could be dome differently. I suspect that once this is finally over, the need for business travel will remain greatly reduced.
We’ve been having Skype meetings over the past week or so and I think it works well.
I think the cost implications are clear in terms of very simple 'here is the cost of desks' but don't underestimate the loss of soft measures such as employee satisfaction, mental health, speed to resolution of issues etc. There are plenty of things that are much better when located in an office vs at home with its numerous distractions - ignore what people say about being more productive, no one, absolutely no one is going to say in an official capacity working at home is less productive 
We have around 280 employees, we have 160 permanent desks with nimble working (laptops only, no desk phones etc. pack up and leave the desk if you are off to a meeting etc) which scares people at first but works amazingly well. The business has become more collaborative and less silo'd for sure.
Flexible working is where its at, employers need to trust their employees to use working from home appropriately but in the general office work environment, there are so many benefits to working with your colleagues side by side than just skyping them.
We have around 280 employees, we have 160 permanent desks with nimble working (laptops only, no desk phones etc. pack up and leave the desk if you are off to a meeting etc) which scares people at first but works amazingly well. The business has become more collaborative and less silo'd for sure.
Flexible working is where its at, employers need to trust their employees to use working from home appropriately but in the general office work environment, there are so many benefits to working with your colleagues side by side than just skyping them.
I've often thought of this. I work in a WeWork office in London and sometimes say to colleagues I think they (or the other serviced office firms) are missing a trick not having smaller sites in commuter towns. My boss travels in from Southampton and if the trains are playing up it's almost always before/near Winchester so instead of getting off and going into an office there, she has to try and continue the journey or go back home and therefore in both cases, is really late.
Agree with all comments about saving on commuting costs *and* the spend on my "occasional" (almost daily) coffee before I arrive at the office!
Agree with all comments about saving on commuting costs *and* the spend on my "occasional" (almost daily) coffee before I arrive at the office!
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