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A Guide To Coworking Spaces

 

In the modern day of work, coworking is the new buzzword. As times change post-pandemic, we are seeing increasing numbers of businesses changing their commercial premises models, encouraging more hybrid or remote working, and, therefore, seeing their commercial premises needs changing.

Whether you are a sole trader, self-employed, small business, or a larger company, coworking can be the solution to the commercial premises that you have been looking for.

 

What Are Coworking Spaces?

Coworking spaces are usually based in popular locations and are modern, well-equipped office spaces, open to any business. Typically, the coworking space is fully fitted with desks, internet, telephone lines, kitchens, and amenities, and personnel can book desks or spaces according to their needs.

Using a coworking space is a more collaborative way of working, providing a productive working space for all businesses, with the equipment that is needed, aiding with networking, and giving businesses the opportunity to locate themselves in some of the best locations in the country.

 

Types of Coworking Spaces

The concept of the coworking space refers to several different businesses being located in the same space, with them having booked their areas on a short-term basis. There are, however, several different kinds of coworking spaces available to you.

These include:

Hot Desking – This refers to the idea that people (often sole traders, self-employed or remote workers) would book a table in a paperless office. It enables workers to network and meet others from similar businesses, work in a productive environment amongst other successful people, and save money on business premises. Hot desking can be carried out on a day pass, or for longer amounts of time.

Serviced Office – this term refers to offices that can be booked out by a company, with multiple spaces including desks, meeting rooms, and breakout spaces. They will be equipped with basic equipment such as printers and scanners, and will often come with reception areas and receptionists, providing a productive, professional environment.

Fixed Desk – normally refers to situations similar to hot desking but will normally be booked for a longer amount of time or a certain number of days per week or month. Fixed desking is ideal for sole traders, freelancers, or small businesses that do not want to spend all of their time in an office but would like somewhere to go on occasions.

Meeting Rooms – Some companies work entirely remotely but have occasions when they want groups of people to get together. This could be for a meeting or training, or perhaps to carry out job interviews. It does, generally speaking, make more financial sense to book a private meeting room and pay for a short amount of time, than to have a permanent meeting space.

 

The Benefits of Coworking

Regardless of the size of the business that you are in, using coworking spaces can offer many different benefits.

These include:

  • Excellent networking opportunities – the fact that you will be in a shared office space means that you will be surrounded by like-minded professionals, all out there doing their best for their businesses. This gives you great networking opportunities, especially if you choose coworking spaces in an area where your kind of business is particularly common.
  • Money saving – for businesses that are looking to have an office space on a part-time basis, it can be financially much better for you to rent a coworking space for the time that you need to be in an office than renting business premises full-time. Many coworking spaces are equipped with equipment such as printers, meaning that you can also save money on this kind of equipment.
  • Professional environment – many people who work a lot from home understand how difficult it can be to motivate themselves.

Often, working in a professional environment can help to keep people motivated. In addition to this, those who are looking to give a professional impression to clients often use coworking spaces instead of their homes!

  • Flexibility – whether your business is growing quickly – or, indeed, you are looking to downsize or move around, hiring a coworking space is a useful way to only pay for what you need when you need it. This way, you can book the number of desks that you require, and change locations if you wish, to make it as convenient as possible for you in a way that makes sense financially.
  • Facilities – a coworking space comes fitted with all of the facilities that you would expect from a modern, professional office.

These include kitchens and toilets, reliable Wi-Fi, and perhaps video conferencing facilities, giving you every opportunity to effectively carry out your work, in a comfortable environment.

 

How Much Do Coworking Spaces Cost?

There are a number of different factors that affect the price of a coworking space.

Some of these factors include:

  • The amount of space that you are looking to book
  • The amount of time that you are spending on the space
  • The location of the coworking space
  • The facilities that are available to you

 

Is a Shared Working Environment for Me?

Although shared working spaces are an excellent solution for many people, they certainly are not for everyone. They are a favourite amongst entrepreneurs and freelancers, especially those who find networking useful. However, people who are looking to work in a quiet environment or who carry out highly confidential work, might not necessarily be so well suited to coworking.

Booking a shared working environment would be ideal for you if you:

  • Want to network with people
  • Would like flexibility over team size and location
  • Are looking for somewhere with reliable equipment and facilities
  • Would like to work in a professional, bustling environment
  • Are looking to make a professional impression on clients or colleagues
  • Are looking to be part of a thriving business community
  • Want to provide a base for hybrid working

 

Some of The Best Coworking Spaces in London

Here at Spacepool, we have a wide range of different coworking spaces in London available to you. From day passes and hot desking opportunities to bookable meeting rooms and fixed desks.

Whether you are looking for a space in the tech hub of Kings Cross or amongst the creatives in East London, we have the perfect coworking space for you.

 

Alternative Locations to Consider

Although London has some excellent coworking spaces to choose from, one of the best things about the flexibility of coworking is that you can choose where you want to go.

There are many other places that you can also choose from, including Birmingham to Newcastle, to Glasgow. So why not start planning where you are going to go next?