Taking advantage of this growth as your business begins to blossom can be key to attracting top tier talent, by signalling a commitment to your employee’s overall workplace wellbeing. Embracing flexible workspace doesn’t just have to be a business decision – it can create a sense of belonging for employees and boost their overall health, happiness, and productivity.

Flexibility for your business’ future

In light of the pandemic, there's been a growing recognition that the future of work lies in a hybrid model, combining the flexibility of remote work with the benefits of in-person collaboration. Flexible workspaces are poised to play a pivotal role in this transition, providing an adaptable solution that meets the diverse needs of today's workforce.

Research from The Flex Index reveals that, as of January 2024, 38% of UK employers require staff to travel to the office for 2-3 days a week. Post-pandemic trends have highlighted the need for employees to work in a hybrid model where possible, balancing travel costs and personal commitments with the need for office-based collaboration. Flexible workspaces are a useful bridge between employer and employee demands, as they embrace thoughtful designs and enhanced services that seek to enhance workplace wellbeing, with modern office layouts that foster collaboration and productivity.

With smaller businesses tending to offer more flexibility for their employees, flexible workspaces allow startups to upscale more effectively, whilst avoiding costly long-term leases. Providing a dedicated flexible working environment that is appropriate for task-based work, client meetings and group brainstorming sessions benefits businesses at every stage of their growth, and can allow them to attract more employees into the office.

Enhancing employee wellbeing

For new businesses, addressing the complex challenges posed by the modern workforce can be difficult to navigate. The pandemic has not only increased the salience of remote working, but has also impacted the way we think about mental health and how to best cope with everyday stresses. Flexible workspace design can address workplace stress factors by incorporating a range of amenities that suit the needs of the modern employee.

For example, embracing a biophilic workspace can be an effective way to places employee wellness at the heart of workplace culture, with research from Human Spaces showing improved productivity from biophilic design in the office. This can be as simple as having indoor plants around the office or providing good access to natural light, but can extend as far as acquiring outdoor seating space to relax, and installing quality amenities such as cafés, libraries, relaxation zones, and even games rooms for days when the sun isn’t shining.

Flexible workspaces offer a physical location for off-the-cuff interactions and opportunities to network, where connections can be built. Additionally, wellness programs can promote good physical health and mindfulness, by offering opportunities for people to connect with their immediate surroundings and the wider community space.

Burgeoning beyond London

Beyond the capital, the UK’s other large cities are growing their flex markets. Areas such as Edinburgh, Manchester and Leeds, offer spaces that are tailored to their largest industries, whether that’s tech, engineering or media, providing start-ups and early stage growth companies in these industries immediate opportunities to connect. Cities around the UK have seen exponential growth in demand for flexible workspace and operators have responded by delivering high-tech coworking spaces at competitive prices for occupiers.

It is clear that demands from business owners for modern office spaces that can attract the best talent in their workforce are necessitating a response in kind from workspace operators and landlords.

Not only are workspaces sites of productivity, they are also part of our communities, and can be engines for greater well-being and job satisfaction. Businesses that can offer flexibility in their office environments can achieve this by adopting modern designs and community-focused initiatives.