All You Need To Know About Shared Workspaces

Date: Thu Jul 28 Author: Chelliah Nakeeran

Shared workspaces are dynamic offices that can either be used by a single firm or multiple companies and professionals.

For example, a large corporation might rent out an entire floor where employees can collaborate. Another floor may be shared by two businesses and a smattering of freelancers whilst another may be entirely occupied by freelancers taking advantage of hotdesks.

Suffice it to say that shared workspaces are an attractive solution for companies and individuals that need access to office amenities and enjoy working in vibrant environments.

The Benefits of Shared Workspace

Cost Savings

The costs involved with setting up and maintaining a fully functional office are drastically lower in shared workspaces. You can manage costs even better with the hourly pay-as-you-use service we offer at BluDesks.

Access to Amenities and Services

Businesses that take advantage of shared workspaces automatically get access to a plethora of services whenever they need them. From getting a printout at 1am to setting up arrangements for a conference the next day, everything is taken care of for you.
In addition to all the amenities you would expect from a fully-functioning office, you will also find co-working spaces with kitchens, chill-out areas, telephone answering services and useful business events such as lectures, etc.

Crisis Management

When you rent shared offices, you are not responsible for the maintenance of the building. In the event of a crisis, solutions are organised by the management team of the co-working space provider.

Managing crises such as internet outages, burst pipes, broken ventilation systems etc are also paid for by the building owners at no extra cost to the inhabitants – effectively saving you time and money.

Enhanced Productivity and Flexibility

Shared workspaces are bustling arenas where you will most likely be surrounded by other talented and experienced professionals. Working in dynamic environments is shown to energise workers and increase productivity levels.

Renting shared workspaces with BluDesks also gives you greater flexibility to work from locations that are most convenient for you. We have teamed up with hundreds of co-working spaces across the UK enabling you to access multiple shared workspaces near you.

Increased Connections

A shared workspace often means working beside employees from multiple companies. This provides you with opportunities to connect with other people, expand your business network and grow your business.

Where can I find the best coworking space provider in the UK?

If you are looking for a suitable coworking space in London, sign-up for a BluDesks membership today. We have multiple options to choose from with a single login.

Our simplified registration process enables organisations and individuals to find shared workspaces and hotdesks easily – saving you more time to get on with your work.

And with our pay-as-you-use booking system, you can book co-working space and meeting rooms for as little as £2 an hour. This gives you more options to work from anywhere and manage your budget.

Cool-Off In Air-Conditioned Coworking Spaces

Date: Mon Jul 25 Author: Chelliah Nakeeran

You may have a cool job that enables you to work from home, but do you have a cool home where you can work without melting?

The fact of the matter is that the UK is not prepared for heat waves. With temperatures reaching between 38 and 40 degrees celsius, working from home without air-conditioning is unbearable.

The UK’s biggest commercial radio brand, heart.co.uk say that employers have an obligation to ensure their employees are working in a “reasonable environment, adding:

“While most offices have air-con to keep you cool while you’re working, people working from home are often stuck suffering in the blistering weather, especially if they live in a poorly ventilated house.”

If you’re a freelancer, or work-from-home employee struggling to focus on your work due to in the blazing heat, why not take advantage of the air-conditioned offices available in hundreds of coworking spaces across the UK.

Cool Office Space

In recent years, coworking spaces have evolved to accommodate freelancers, entrepreneurs and corporate companies under the same roof. Following the Covid-19 pandemic, shared spaces were obligated to install proper ventilation and air ducts that do not recirculate air.

As a result, the majority of coworking spaces throughout the UK have air-conditioning which is deemed safe by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE).

Affordable Coworking Spaces

BluDesks has an impressive property portfolio of coworking spaces all over the UK. Our pay-as-you-use business model means you can book space at times that suit you. And with hundreds of coworking spaces available for as little as £2 an hour, you have instant access to multiple coworking spaces that give you more control over your budget.

Fully-Equipped Offices

Coworking spaces are equipped with facilities you would expect in any fully-functioning office – scanners, photocopiers, TV/audio equipment etc. This includes access to meeting rooms and, of course, air conditioning. Offices with modern designs even have kitchenettes and chill-out zones.

Convenient Location

Finding a coworking space near you is simple with BluDesks. We have teamed up with hundreds of coworking spaces throughout the UK – so you can find and book a selection of conveniently located hot desks and meeting rooms without having to commute into the office.

Hotspots For Growth

Coworking offices provide a space for a diverse range of professionals to congregate and meet new people. As a result, shared office spaces are potential hotspots that enable freelancers, start-ups and SMEs to expand their networks and grow their businesses.

Upscale Work Environments

BluDesks make it easy for professionals to find a cool place to work. With a single login, you have access to hundreds of plush coworking offices all over the UK. If your home is too hot to focus on your work, sign-up today and finds an air-conditioned office or meeting room near you to cool off.

Don’t Overpay For Coworking Spaces in London

Date: Tue Jul 19 Author: Chelliah Nakeeran

Coworking spaces in London can provide a lot of solutions to a lot of companies. However, before you rush into an agreement with a coworking space, survey your options.

Not all coworking space contracts in London will offer you the right solution!

Coworking spaces provide many benefits including convenience, dynamic environments in fully-functioning offices, access to private offices and meeting rooms plus much more.

But the biggest draw for most companies is that coworking spaces are cost-effective. Unlike traditional office contracts that are signed for an average of six years, coworking space agreements are typically short-term, 1 or 2 years at a time.

This means that renting coworking space has less financial risk than traditional office leases and enables you to be more flexible in your shop-term planning. You also pay fixed costs so there are no unexpected and unplanned costs such as fluctuating energy bills and maintenance costs.

Some coworking space agreements also mean you will avoid having to pay for the full term of a contract if you leave the premises before the contract expires.

However, not all coworking space agreements offer any flexibility on the condition of the contract. As a matter of fact, most coworking spaces in London tie you into fixed-term contracts – which can be pretty costly, and force you to pay for services you do not need.

Of course, the type of contract that best suits you depends on the nature of your business. Some business leaders prefer long-term leases that give you stability over agility.

Most businesses, especially fledging businesses and start-ups, will benefit more from flexible contracts.

Benefits of Flexible Coworking Space in London

With BluDesks, coworking space in London offers you all the flexibility you need – which makes managing office facilities cost-effective. You only pay for the office space you want – when you need it.

In the absence of a rolling contract, you are not tied to fixed terms. This means you are not paying for space that is not being used. Let’s say, for example, you rent a private office that is large enough for 20 employees. But you only have 15 employees.

With these types of coworking space agreements, you are paid for the space regardless of the number of people occurring in the office. That means you are overpaying for space you are not using.

With BluDesks, you can rent hot desks and private offices for each individual. That means you are only paying for the space you are using. And with coworking spaces for as little as £2 per hour, our pay-as-you-use service gives you more control over your outgoing costs.

Moreover, you have access to thousands of flexible workplaces and offices all over the world with a single-member pass and a one-time registration process. Finding coworking spaces and meeting rooms with BluDesks is simple, cost-effective and time-efficient.

How Coworking Spaces In Satellite Towns Improve ESG

Date: Tue Jul 12 Author: Chelliah Nakeeran

In times of growing concern around environmental damage and the rising cost of energy, business leaders should be considering the impact of Energy, Social and Governance scores (ESG).

Reporting on ESG is a way for governments, investors, consumers and employees to measure corporate responsibility and CO2 emissions. A key benefit of ESG is that it can help drive business growth.

On the flip side, it can ESG scores will have a significant impact on business continuity. Investors already assess the financial implications a low ESG score will have on a business.

Deloitte report that companies with the strongest ESG scores influence decision-making in the financial sector in terms of long-term investments. PwC also reports that 83% of consumers believe companies should be actively addressing ESG scores.

Despite the financial incentives at stake, numerous businesses feel hamstrung. In many cases, they do not have the financial resources to reduce their carbon footprint without compromising productivity that creates existing revenue streams.

Inflation, and the impending recession, also make it difficult for businesses to make realistic financial decisions that will improve ESG ratings. The government’s renewable energy solutions don’t provide a tangible return on investment over the short-term.

Coworking Spaces Help Businesses Cut Costs

Whilst ESG promises financial incentives, business leaders are faced with the prospect of shelling out over £10,000 to install a renewable energy system. Businesses with a high power demand are looking at an initial layout of between £30,000-£40,000.

At the lower end of the scale, the UK’s renewableenergyhub estimates the average annual savings are estimated to be around £1884. That means the minimum return on investment won’t be seen for the biggest part of a decade. And probably more for most companies.

The down payment to switch energy suppliers is a significant slice of your investment pie. Boards that are unable to invest in their business growth remain stagnant.

Renting coworking spaces can help businesses to save on having to invest in a renewable energy system. Not only that, coworking spaces reduce your overall utility payments and improve your ESG score. Especially if your employees take advantage of ad-hoc facilities in satellite towns.

Reduce Environmental Damage

A key measurement of ESG is focused on environmental damage. This takes into account how much accumulative electricity and fossil fuels your business uses. That includes utilities and the amount of fuel your employees use commuting to and from the office.

The more energy-efficient your business is across the board, the higher your ESG score will be. Renting coworking spaces not only helps you to reduce the amount of electricity and water you consume, but also reduces the amount of CO2 your employees emit into the environment.

BluDesks take energy efficiency one step further. We rent office space, private offices and meeting rooms on an ad-hoc basis. This means you are only responsible for the electricity you use when you are using the facilities. This helps you to record a lower rate of energy usage.

Not only that, we provide you with access to multiple coworking spaces and meeting rooms all over the city you live. This gives your employees easy access to affordable coworking space whenever they need it

Coworking Spaces Could Help The Wage Increments Challenge

Date: Tue Jul 5 Author: Chelliah Nakeeran

As employees feel the pinch of inflation, CXO’s and HR managers may face several difficult conversations in the coming weeks. Trading rented office space for flexible coworking facilities can help to free up cash and keep your workers happy.

An increase in living costs, sky-rocketing fuel and energy prices together with tax hikes has devastated the income of families all over the UK. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) reports that 9 in 10 adults say their living costs have increased whilst 23% report they are struggling to pay typical household bills.

Low-income families naturally spend a larger proportion of their earnings on food and energy. Living costs have leapt by 9% whilst wage increases averaged 4.1% – less than half the rate of inflation.

Business leaders are bracing themselves for an influx of employees asking for pay rises or other types of benefits. But with a potential dip in revenue, making ends meet and keeping your employees happy may require decisive action.

To cut costs.

Coworking Spaces Cut Costs

Bloomberg reports that one in five UK workers expect to leave their job in the next year in search of better pay and more job satisfaction. Replacing employees is more costly for businesses that retain a trained and experienced member of their workforce.

It is estimated that the cost of replacing employees is between 6-9 months of the employee’s annual salary. That takes into account the loss of productivity, training expenses and the cost of recruitment.

A key part of retaining your best employees is how well you compensate them. Depending on their age, some employees will look for other opportunities if they do not feel respected or if they’re not permitted to work from home.

The ONS reports that 80% of UK workers would prefer their employer to adopt a hybrid model. This gives them the opportunity to work from home for part of the week and in the office for part of the week.

Hybrid working fulfils the needs of employees and has numerous benefits for employers also. In fact, it ticks so many boxes that the hybrid model is expected to be adopted by 84% of UK firms.

Rent Coworking Spaces with BluDesks

Renting coworking space with BluDesks gives you the flexibility to facilitate a hybrid working model and significantly cut the cost associated with renting office space.

With a single login, you have access to hundreds of coworking spaces in London and all over the country. Actually the world. Moreover, our pay-as-you-go model means you only pay for the space you use – enabling you to manage your costs. For example, if you only need a meeting room for one hour, you only pay for the hour.

The coworking spaces available give your teams more flexibility to work where they want and save money on travel and food. Whilst these costs savings may still need to be supplemented with wage increments, BluDesks provide you with a solution that enables you to reinvigorate your financial resources and keep your employees happy.

Why Coworking Spaces Are Key To Your Hybrid Working Strategy

Date: Fri Jun 24 Author: Chelliah Nakeeran

Hybrid working is a new concept that will no doubt take a little time to iron out. Access to flexible coworking spaces with BluDesks helps the bedding process run more smoothly.

First of all, our website provides you with a portal to scores of coworking spaces in your city. You will be able to find whatever space you need in one place. This significantly reduces the search time search for registering with multiple websites.

Secondly, we offer two types of membership; corporate and personal. This gives enterprises the choice to give employees a spending limit and more autonomy or to have some control over sending by appointing HR personnel with the responsibility to book rooms for individuals and on an ad hoc basis.

BluDesks not only gives your employees the opportunity to work remotely in an office environment that is conveniently located close to their homes, but we also give you more flexibility to work in multiple coworking spaces all over the world.

Access To Office Facilities

A concern with the hybrid model is that workers may find themselves isolated and without access to the office equipment they need – such as a photocopier.

The majority of coworking spaces are fully-functioning offices equipped with facilities you would ordinarily expect to find in an office. You will even find coworking spaces that have meeting rooms with TV/Audio equipment and whiteboards so that you can organise presentation and training days.

Personal Interaction

Surveys show that when people were working from home during the lockdown, the thing they missed the most was the personal interaction with their work colleagues. It’s human nature to want company.

The challenge of implementing a hybrid working model is finding solutions that help to build bonds between your employees and foster your company culture.

Coworking spaces may not always enable colleagues to work together in a hybrid model but with BluDesks, there is more scope for employees that live on the same side of town to work in the same space without having to commute to the central office.

One of the benefits that employees enjoy with remote working is that they have more freedom and autonomy to choose where they work and when they work. BluDesks give workers the freedom to choose multiple locations from where they can work.

Improves Wellbeing

Being around other people is also good for personal well-being. Studies show that positive interaction between people creates a sense of belonging and reduces stress.

Employees that can create a good work-life balance are generally happier, more productive and have greater work satisfaction. When people are happy at work, they are more inclined to stay with the company.

BluDesks also lend a hand to help improve the work-life balance and well-being of our customers by offering flexible working space you can book by the hour. This also means you have more control over your spending. Moreover, you have the opportunity to simply book a desk when you feel like it during the day – such as during a mid-afternoon crash.

Coworking Spaces Eliminate Travel Chaos

Date: Mon Jun 20 Author: Chelliah Nakeeran

News of the rail strike has no doubt irked commuters. However, spinning a negative into a positive, the travel chaos may help enterprises and employees in the UK to identify better solutions – not only for this week but moving forward as well; namely flexible coworking spaces.

With 80% of the rail lines closed this week, travel is seriously disrupted across England, Scotland and Wales. The knock-on effect will mean that roads are jammed, more CO2 will be pumped into the environment and workers will have to spend more on fuel and parking. Productivity will also take a hit due to lost hours.

Pardon the rail pun, but the strike could bring light at the end of the tunnel. People don’t like commuting to work anyway and one study has found that long commutes to work increase the risk of depression and obesity.

Commuting has also been linked with an increase in stress, a decline in mental health, and a loss of productivity. It is estimated that employees spend around 360 hours a year travelling to and from work.

Over the last few years, it has been demonstrated that working from home offers more benefits to business owners and employees. Subsequently, employers are introducing flexible working arrangements.

The Office of National Statistics reports the number of businesses converting to a hybrid model increased by 11% between February 2022 and May 2022. It makes far more sense to work from home or in a coworking space that is within walking distance for a number of reasons.

Flexible Coworking Space

Whilst remote working has proven to be beneficial, working from home is not for everyone. Subsequently, there has been an increase in workers taking advantage of office facilities offered by coworking spaces. Some people prefer to share a workspace with other people. An office environment gives you access to printers, photocopiers, and TV/audio equipment and is good for mental health.

Coworking spaces with BluDesks give you access to meeting rooms you can book by the hour. If you have to cancel a meeting with a client due to travel disruptions in the UK this week, our flexible meeting rooms may provide a solution – and in a location that is more convenient.

Choosing a flexible coworking space close to your home means you don’t have to commute. By walking, you also reduce your carbon footprint and get some exercise. Companies lower carbon emissions and energy bills.

Moving forward, you may find a coworking space in a convenient location is a better option for you; financially, mentally and emotionally. Coworking spaces can help employees, and businesses thrive.

The BluDesks model is designed to make finding and booking coworking spaces even easier. Our website gives you access to coworking spaces all over the UK (and the world). This makes it easier to find a coworking space near you that has the facilities and capacity to meet your needs.

Moreover, you only have to register with BluDesks once to gain access to thousands of flexible coworking spaces. That will save you even more time that not having to commute to work

Is There Any Need For Regional Offices Anymore?

Date: Tue Jun 14 Author: Chelliah Nakeeran

For many companies, the pandemic demonstrated they can still operate when employees are not in the office. As a result, more than 80% of UK businesses have adopted a hybrid working model.

In turn, companies with multiple offices have discovered they can significantly cut costs by closing smaller regional offices. Some companies are even dispensing with their main office in favour of coworking spaces. This is a move that makes sense for a number of reasons.

Whilst the hybrid model does have advantages, there is still a need for an ‘in-person’ workplace. Team members sometimes need to work together and meetings are inevitable.

The workplace also plays an important role in attracting top talent and providing support for new starters and younger people learning their trade. This is where coworking offices give you more flexibility.

Coworking Space is Cost-Effective

Cash flow is likely to be a growing concern for numerous businesses moving forward. The cost of renting office space in larger cities will put a larger dent in your budget deficit.

One of the main draws of working in shared offices is the reduction of overheads. Not only do you reduce the cost of rent but you don’t have to invest in other office-related equipment such as furniture and facilities, refreshments and decor.

Less Impact on the Environment Improves your ESG Rating

Today’s companies are judged on ESG scores. We have already seen how ESG ratings influence investors in the stock market. ESG could also influence consumer purchasing decisions.

The impact a business has on the environment does prompt consumers to decide whether they want to associate with a particular company. Your ESG score takes into account how much energy you use, your carbon emissions and how much water you use.

Using the facilities provided by coworking spaces benefits a company’s ESG metrics because it shows you are making positive steps to be environmentally responsible.

Better for Staff

Employees have mixed feelings about working from home. Whilst they feel the financial benefits and have more time for themselves, there is still the urge to spend time around colleagues.

There is no question that the hybrid working model suits employees across the board. Employees that feel they are happier and more productive in an office environment still have the option to work in an office.

On the flip side, if they have a long commute, they lose the benefits of working from home. BluDesks resolve this issue by providing coworking spaces from multiple locations so each individual employee can choose where they want to work from.

One Membership, Multiple Choices

Our single registration coworking space gives you access to over 200 office locations in London and more than 1500 facilities. We have also teamed up with offices in other major cities throughout the UK and the world. So no matter where your employees are based, they can take advantage of our co-working spaces.

The ability for your employees to choose where they want to work means there is no real need for regional offices. It also means that employees that prefer an office environment can avoid long commutes most of the time.

Coworking Spaces: Convenient Solutions For Regional Sales Teams

Date: Mon Jun 6 Author: Chelliah Nakeeran

As the business world pivots to remote working en masse, corporations and other larger companies are taking advantage of the benefits offered by coworking spaces.

Businesses rent their main office but deploy regional sales teams that can also benefit from coworking spaces. With multiple offices and meeting rooms to rent all over the UK, remote sales reps have a convenient solution to support their productivity and professionalism.

Coworking spaces provide staff on go with office facilities and a working environment that enables them to focus. Sales personnel that come into the offices at BluDesks comment that it’s a far better option than the distractions of working in noisy coffee shops.

But coworking spaces at BluDesks offer sales teams much more than an office environment. We have a network of coworking spaces and meeting rooms all over the world – which you can access with a single Membership and log in.

Use Convenient Coworking Space as a Base

Research has shown that employees are more productive when they work in familiar surroundings. New places mean the brain is taking in more information which can affect cognitive function and concentration.

This means that when sales personnel working from a variety of coffee shops or in their car, their brain is working over time processing large volumes of data.

Flexible coworking spaces give regional sales staff the opportunity to have access to office space that is situated in a convenient location. Regularly using coworking space as base becomes a familiar work environment. It also gives sales reps the opportunity to build relationships with other regular coworking spaces users and expand their network of clients and influencers.

Cost-Effective Coworking Spaces

The BluDesks model goes one step further than the majority of conventional coworking spaces. Rather than tying you into fixed fees, daily, weekly or monthly, we charge by the hour.

This gives regional sales reps a cost-effective solution and the opportunity to be flexible. For example, if you are on the road from 11 am to 4 pm, you can book a hot desk or private office from 9.30 am to 10.30 and 4.30 until whenever in order to plan your day and get on top of your paperwork. You could even rent a desk for an hour between meetings.

We also give you access to thousands of meeting rooms all over the UK – so you can meet with clients in a professional environment that is convenient for everyone to reach.

Improve Talent Acquisition & Retention

Recruiters tell us that younger workers are more willing and more likely to commit to companies that provide flexibility, less commuting and a well-designed office.

BluDesks fulfil all three of these needs – although we can’t always promise the most impressive office designs. What we do promise, however, flexible and convenient solutions that enable sales teams to travel less – which means using less fuel and being more productive. Less commuting also helps to improve your ESG score.

The Benefits of Coworking Spaces As Satellite Offices

Date: Mon May 30 Author: Chelliah Nakeeran

Businesses that take advantage of coworking spaces to create satellite offices can use this service to their benefit. A number of research studies have shown time and again that firms utilising coworking space thrive.

Both employers and employees are benefiting from coworking spaces. In the current paradigm, coworking spaces give employees working from home the opportunity to use equipment typically associated with offices together with convenient locations to hold a meeting.

Now that employees have returned to the office, the benefits they enjoyed from remote working are gone. According to YouGov, 60% of employees in the UK want to continue remote working. On the flip side, businesses benefit when they can bring teams together.

To compromise, a large number of businesses are switching to a hybrid model. Utilising coworking space to as satellite offices helps to make hybrid working even easier – and offer more benefits to both employers and employees.

Convenience and Flexibility

Coworking spaces give workers more flexibility to split their time between home and office. Stationing employees in satellite offices that are conveniently located closer to their home that your headquarters helps them to manage their time more efficiently.

Not only do satellite offices give your employees the flexibility to reach the office conveniently, it also makes it easier to just drop in from time to time. Maybe they need to use something in the office, like a photocopier, they were passing and wanted to say ‘hi’ or they spent the night in a different part of town (sleepovers) and will find it easier to work from an office that is closer to where they wake up.

Help to Manage Work-Life Balance

Happy employees are productive employees. And now your team has experienced remote working, they recognise the value of spending more time with their families, avoid commuting and spending less money.

Research has shown that the average cost savings of working from home is £44.78 a week. Cost savings come from commuting less and not buying lunch every day. If employees live closer to the office they are working from commutes and fuel costs are lower.

This is particularly the case for employees in London. According to Totaljobs, 76% of employees said they will quit their jobs if getting to the office requires a long commute. Using coworking spaces as satellite offices could therefore save businesses the cost of replacing employees – which is estimated to cost an average £12,000 per employee – between 6-9 months of the employees salary.

Raise ESG Score

Enabling employees to commute less should also help to improve your company’s environmental, social and governance (ESG) score. With ESG scores having such a significant impact on consumer purchasing decision – especially environmentally conscious individuals – boosting your score in the environment section could pay dividends.

Commuting less means employees will consume less fuel. A satellite office also gives you more potential to organise meetings in locations that are closer for attendees to reach.

BluDesks makes it easy for companies to take advantage coworking spaces by offering you a wide range of offices all over London – with one simple sign-up and login.