SERVICED OFFICES Solve Workplace Challenges Working with small businesses at our Business Centre in Wokingham, we’ve seen another year of challenges- from last winter’s lockdown to ‘back to work’. Even those who enjoy the flexibility of home working are craving normality. Many have struggled with the challenges of children, noise, distraction, loneliness and low productivity. Office life provides a hub for exciting ideas to flourish and just makes communication easier. As a result, 2021 was the year demand for serviced offices skyrocketed, although in a less 9-5 sense, with flexible working days and hours. Self-employed people and small businesses want a better place to work, but also need easy 24/7 access. Flexible terms and shorter contracts are a must: renting either a serviced office or a shared hotdesking room gives them that. We’ve also seen an interesting new development with bigger companies funding their ‘working from home’ staff to use serviced offices locally to their homes it’s a cost saving compared to the type of pricey long lease space they are used to. We’re seeing a similar trend with meeting rooms, as bookings increase again. Zoom 24
meetings had their well-publicised challenges. People missed the buzz and interaction of a real life meeting, as well as the huge technical advantages of a fully equipped meeting room. Face-to-face meetings remove so many frustrating hurdles. The conclusion seems to be that the number of unnecessary meetings has been cut, but that the essential ones are now even more important to get right. 2022 is going to consolidate this hybrid of remote and physical working environments for companies and the individuals who work for them. Serviced offices and meeting room hire will remain an important part of that picture. Mantle Business Centres Innovation House, Molly Millars Close, Wokingham, Berkshire RG41 2RX 0118 9778599 info@mantleltd.com
WOKINGHAM LOCAL • JAN / FEB 2022
