Coworking, or collaborative workspaces, is seeing a huge increase in popularity as work patterns change in many businesses. A coworking office space offers a desk to use for an hour or a day or a week, either as a break from working-at-home or because you’re traveling and need a work environment away from your main office.
The flexibility of a coworking office is its biggest attraction – there are normally no long-term contracts and the ability to turn up, find a desk, connect to the wifi and start working. Here at GSB we use coworking office space in London, York and Manchester as the team travels and needs a local place to concentrate and focus on the job. If you’re in the Midlands, take a look at our guide to coworking offices in Birmingham.
For larger businesses you might want to look at a temporary office space provider or at the other end of the scale you might just want a virtual office presence, or coworking which is great for just a few people since, whichever city you’re in, there’s likely to be a coworking office space nearby and the potential rent a desk by the day. However, with so many available, how do you spot the best? Here are 10 of the best providers in the UK.
Best Coworking Office Space Providers in the UK
Here is our take on the most popular coworking office space providers in the UK offering a range of options for a desk by the day, week or on a flexible basis in a range of locations across the country.
1. WeWork
Find out more at: wework.com
This brand is one of the biggest names in coworking spaces. Globally, hundreds of thousands of members use their shared office spaces.
One of the best things about WeWork is that it provides its members access to common areas. This can be a huge help when trying to meet new people, network, and get new clients. It also has many desks, so you can easily find a good workspace in their office.
WeWork also allows dogs in the offices. This can be great if you want your pet with you at work or need some company while sitting at your desk all day long. However, if you have allergies or don’t want pets around, this may not suit your needs.
WeWork offers a mother’s room as well for mothers who need some time away from their desks to feed or look after their babies. This is important because not all companies offer these facilities within their offices. It shows that WeWork is willing to go above and beyond whatever other companies offer so they can accommodate their workers’ needs and wants.
2. IWG (Regus)
Find out more at: regus.com
IWG (Regus) is a global brand that provides workspace to over 120 nations. The company was founded by Mark Dixon in 1989 and has become one of the leading providers of shared office space worldwide. Some of their popular clients include Samsung, Microsoft, as well and thousands of smaller businesses and startups.
Regus provides its clients with the best possible support. A team of highly trained receptionists will provide you with any information you might need. They are also there to answer any queries that may come up during your stay.
If you’re on a business trip or looking for a place to hold meetings with your colleagues or clients, Regus is the right place for you. It has several meeting rooms available at all times. So your sessions can run smoothly without any hiccups whatsoever. The meeting rooms come equipped with all the essentials. Hence, you don’t have to worry about anything other than getting started.
IWG (Regus) also provides virtual offices, which allow you to open an address for your business without having an office space. This can be helpful if you don’t need permanent premises but still want a professional address for clients to contact you.
3. The Moseley Exchange
Find out more at: moseleyexchange.com
The Moseley Exchange coworking space follows covid-19 protocols, which means it offers you a safe and secure environment to work in. The brand’s first coworking space is based in Moseley village, Birmingham. This location is convenient for professionals who live nearby and need the flexibility to join other people when they need help or inspiration.
Moseley Exchange has been designed to meet all your needs. The coworking office space providers have designed the building to meet all your business needs, whether you’re a startup, freelancer, enterprise, or professional.
The brand offers a range of serviced office and meeting rooms to choose from. It’s meeting rooms that can fit around 50 people. The office space is ideal for companies who want to collaborate with other businesses but also want their own private office space.
The Moseley Exchange offers amenities like photocopying services and scanning equipment for members who need them. It also provides workshops to learn important stuff for your business. The brand organises monthly events where you can meet other professionals from different industries. Hence, you can converse with them about their work or interests.
4. The Distillery
Find out more at: wework.com
The service provider gives an environment for entrepreneurs and freelancers to work flexibly in an environment. Thus, you can grow your business without the distractions of an office environment. It offers a range of different packages depending on your needs.
The coworking office space also provides fast Wi-Fi connection to its members. This is helpful if you’re working with remote employees or contractors who need to access files remotely.
If you like coffee or tea, The Distillery has an on-site cafe where you can enjoy refreshments during your workday. The food here is healthy and nutritious, so it’s great for those who want a quick snack before returning to their desks. This is one of the amazing features of this coworking space because it allows you to socialise with other members and share ideas.
The coworking space offers 24-hour access. So, if you need to stay late or get an early start on something important, you can do it at The Distillery.
With a shower on site, you’ll always feel refreshed and ready to get to work when you roll into the office after a long day of meetings. You can even use it before meeting clients or attending events.
5. The Office Group (TOG)
Find out more at: theofficegroup.com
TOG has over 40 office locations around the UK; we’ve looked at a typical example that’s located less than five minutes away from London Bridge station. This makes it easy for clients to commute to their offices without dealing with traffic congestion or parking issues.
The company allows you to personalise your office space through some different options. Thus, you can pick the kind of space that works perfectly for you based on your needs and budget requirements. You can also choose between different layouts depending on how many people will work in each area and the type of furniture you prefer.
The Office Group has designed its offices with natural plant decor, which brings a lot of life and energy into the space. This is especially important for entrepreneurs working from their offices all day. Having plants around helps to reduce stress levels, improve concentration, and boost productivity.
TOG provides complimentary refreshments like coffee, tea, water, and snacks at its locations. This helps employees relax after work hours and chat with each other about various topics, such as business tips and strategies for success. These discussions can help them improve their performance at work and also help them network with people who share their interests.
The company also provides IT security as part of its service. This means that all members can access their emails and other online information from anywhere without worrying about their privacy getting compromised.
6. Spaces
Find out more at: spacesworks.com
With over 450 office locations globally, Spaces has good coverage in the UK and if you travel for work. Unlike many other coworking spaces, Spaces operates around the clock and offers 24/7 access to its members. You can test it out with a (currently) free trial and then sign up for either just a few days per month, anytime access per month or your own dedicated desk in their business space.
Each office location setup offers slightly different amenities but all include meeting rooms to rent for an important client or team meeting and most have a calendar of networking events.
Spaces offers a variety of membership plans for freelancers and small businesses to choose from. There are also flexible options for startups that can be tailored to their needs.
7. Duke Studios
Find out more at: dukestudios.com
If you’re in Leeds, Duke Studios provides an excellent environment for startups, freelancers, and small businesses looking to grow their businesses and get the benefits of collaboration with others.
The coworking office space provider has parking facilities for its clients at its different offices. This is one of the most crucial things an entrepreneur or freelancer should look for while renting an office space. You will have to park your vehicles at some point during your meetings or work assignments. Parking spaces ensure your cars remain safe at all times without any hassle or problems.
Duke Studios provides housekeeping services to keep its clients’ offices clean and tidy. Clients do not have to worry about dust or dirt. Thus, you can focus on what you plan to do without worrying about cleaning up yourself.
The coworking space has ergonomic chairs suitable for all kinds of people regardless of their size, weight, gender, or age. These chairs provide maximum comfort while working in an office setting.
The office space provider has security staff to ensure that clients are safe. This makes it possible for clients to come and go as they please without worrying about their safety or intruders stealing their property.
8. The Trampery
Find out more at: thetrampery.com
The Trampery is a collection of six office locations in London with a common ethos of social and purpose-led businesses that can make a difference. If your business fits into this, or if you want to help contribute back to your local community and society, you’ll find the other businesses in The Trampery inspiring.
The spaces are well-equipped with good audiovisual equipment, including projectors, screens, and microphones. You can hold meetings or presentations with the confidence that everything will run smoothly without any technical hitches.
The space is easily accessible via various public transport links, such as the overground and underground stations. This makes it an ideal location for people who don’t have access to a car or cannot afford parking costs.
9. Work.Life
Find out more at: work.life
Work.Life has ten office locations in London, Manchester and Reading providing a good range of membership options for your business: from a single desk on an occasional day through to an office for a team. You’ll always have someone to help with any problems at Work.Life. Their friendly staff members are always available to advise if you need it. Moreover, Work.Life organises regular social events for its members. You can meet other like-minded people who share similar interests or industries as you. These events allow you to network and build relationships.
Exercise is essential for boosting productivity, creativity, and general health. Thus, there’s no need to leave the office if you want to relax and de-stress at lunchtime at Work.Life. The brand has an in-house yoga class led by a qualified instructor who will guide you through some yoga poses and help you relax. Massage services are also available, so if you need some pampering after a long day, they’ve got you.
If you need some privacy to take a quick power nap, the nap room is a perfect retreat for you.
10. Huckletree
Find out more at: huckletree.com
Huckletree is a coworking space provider in the UK with over 2000 members using its seven office locations across London.
Huckletree hosts networking events more often. This includes after-work socials and growth workshops designed to help members grow their businesses. These events are a great way to make new connections, learn new skills, and build relationships with other entrepreneurs.
Huckletree offers bike storage for its members. You can bring your bike into the office and keep it safe during your working day. The company also has a cycle hub where you can pick up a bike for your commute or just for fun. This is another excellent reason people choose the brand as their coworking space provider.
The communal kitchen at Huckletree is one of its most popular features. It has all the essentials you need when preparing meals, including utensils and crockery.
Conclusion
Our list of 10 coworking office space providers has coverage across the whole of the UK (and internationally) from London to Manchester, Edinburgh to Reading. Whether you need long-term or office space for a few hours, you can find a provider to help meet your needs. You’ll want to choose a provider that has several desirable features. Beyond simply having an ergonomic desk and fast internet, you should ensure your office space offers amenities like showers and yoga or workout facilities. If you’re looking for a desk on an ad-hoc basis or an office for a team, then a coworking space could be right for you.
