If you’re starting a business, one of the biggest decisions you will have to make is where you are going to work. You could rent an office or work at your kitchen table, or join the growing numbers of business owners using coworking space.
Flexible office space is growing in popularity around the world, and many cities in the UK now have lively spaces where business owners and freelancers can work. The popularity of coworking in London is especially noticeable, with new workspaces continuing to open on a regular basis, particularly in the Clerkenwell/Old Street area which seems to have become Start-up Central.
Coworking is an excellent idea for people in a variety of circumstances:
Start-Ups
If you’re a new business owner, it could be time to move out of the spare bedroom, or vacate the dining room table, and get a desk of your own. While some people love working from home, it’s not for everyone, and if you don’t have an area you can set aside as an office, you can find your work taking over your home. Coworking space gives you a dedicated place to work, without the significant commitment of renting an office of your own. If you want to grow, you may find it difficult to recruit people if you’re squeezed into a space in your house. Along with the other benefits, such as being able to collaborate with likeminded people it might be the low risk way to take your business to the next level.
Freelancers
While many freelancers are happy in their pyjamas, or nursing a latte in the corner of their local coffee shop, many miss the company of co-workers and the social aspects of working in an office. A coworking space that you can use once or twice a week might be the answer. You have someone to speak to, or bounce ideas off, to get your creativity fired up without the cost of renting an office full time (so you can stay in your PJs some of the time!)
Out of Towners
If you live and work outside a major city, but most of your clients are based in town, it makes sense to have a city base that you can use for meetings or to work from in between appointments. Even if you have an office elsewhere, it can be useful to have a centrally located office space, even if it is just to help with your search engine rankings. Look for coworking spaces that offer a virtual office address and meeting rooms that you can hire.
If you’re looking for a coworking space in London, or a desk in a shared office, check out our coworking in London listings.
