Why Coworking Spaces are Here to Stay

Although office spaces have been around for dozens of years, the idea of “coworking” has only

 really become a commonly used term over the past 10 years or so. It’s crazy to think of a time

 where offices weren’t shared spaces designed to promote creativity, collaboration and

 community – but there was such a time!

Over recent years, as coworking has become a movement in and of itself, we have noticed

 a number of emerging trends. Inevitably some have turned out to be short-lived fads that 

come part and parcel with any new concept. However, as coworking continues to blow up,

 there have been a number of substantial trends that seem to be here for the long haul!

From the changes in those who use a coworking and collaborative space, to what people 

are looking for from their place of work and how the future is looking brighter than ever for

 community workspaces in London and the world as a whole; let’s delve into what really

 keeps coworking at the heart of business in 2018!

Top Coworking Trends 

for 2018

Both 2017 and 2018 have been huge years for the coworking industry, with more users 

than ever before clocking in and out of the office. Could it be that traditional workspaces 

are becoming a thing of the past?

We are lucky enough to be at the heart of one of the biggest business movements of the

 21^stCentury, with London being described as the global capital for coworking spaces,

 ahead of New York! So what does this mean for the future of coworking and what are 

the today’s trends indicating for the industry?

Technology

One of the major trends amongst coworking spaces is technology, which is advancing at

 a lightning speed rate, but it seems as though coworking joints are managing to keep up!

Gone are your tired fax machines and slow internet; coworking offices offer top of the range 

technology from equipment that is fast, and reliable to internal management systems to ensure

 everything runs smoothly. In an age where digital nomads rule the scene, the need for an 

environment that lends itself to the millennials that account for almost half the coworking 

population is paramount.

The rise in coworking tech means that members can benefit from booking rooms, checking 

stats and keeping up to date with the latest community news and events on the go. It is a way

 to stay connected with work 24/7 (if that is what you wish), that can be accessed as and when suits you.

Sustainability

According to Deskmag’s 2018 Global Coworking Survey, this year will see an 

even bigger effort to produce sustainable community building! What this means for those 

benefiting from our desk sharing environment is more opportunities, better contacts and lifelong 

relationships at the centre of it all.

Times have changed, coworking spaces aren’t just for your freelance writers and business start-ups 

anymore, but instead are hubs of intermingling industries working together. Usually situated at the

 centre of the community, with strong connections with other local independent businesses and 

organisations, coworking is the step in the right direction towards a sustainable community 

environment both internally and externally.

With the members at the heart of it, creating amazing places to work as well as offering a place

 to build entrepreneurial and sustainable communities is at the forefront of what coworking should 

all be about.

Raising Awareness of Coworking as a Concept

For those who work for themselves, or even as part of forward-thinking companies, coworking 

will be a familiar concept. However, for the vast majority of those working in more traditional 

workplaces, the idea of coworking is alien.

You’d be surprised how many of our members had never heard of coworking before entering into

 self-employment, and this is something set to change in the upcoming years!

With coworking spaces in London having grown by 73% over the

 past three years, and more jobs becoming remote than ever, it seems things are on course for 

even bigger numbers in the coming years, which means we get an opportunity to share our

 amazing spaces with even more people!

We like to think of this as a productive circle; the more awareness there is out there on the types 

of communities’ places like Areaworks build, the more diverse and unique our community will become,

 and the more partnerships that can take place within our walls as a result!

The Coming Together of Coworkers and Corporations

As the coworking world has adapted and changed over the years, we have seen many big 

collaborative office spaces taking a more corporate approach to business. Whilst those not in the

 know consider desk coworking as just for freelancers or creatives, those within the community 

know it to be a crucial step towards sustainable business.

Whilst your average coworking spot may have the odd office dog roaming, and on-site foosball,

 there is still a strong element of professionalism that is largely borrowed from the corporate world. 

Similarly, corporations have begun adopting many of the main selling points of coworking offices,

 namely a more flexible approach to working, doing away with strict assigned seating, and offering 

a more laid back dynamic.

Over the past five years or so, we have seen a rise in huge corporations making use of coworking 

and collaborative spaces, namely the likes of IBM, Microsoft and Barclays who have all set up 

shop in a collaborative workspace!

 

 

 

 

So Why are Coworking and

 Collaborative Spaces Here

 to Stay in 2018 & the 

Years to Come

The trends highlight some huge agendas for change in the future, but what about for the here 

and now? Here is why community workspaces are here to stay!

No More Lone-Worker Blues

In 2018, there are more of us than ever working non-traditional hours, whether it’s through 

freelancing or working for a big corporation, and the need for engagement can be crucial

 to one’s motivation and wellbeing.

To be frank, working from a coworking office is less lonely! In fact 83% of coworkers had 

admitted that they felt less lonely after joining a coworking space! A further 90% felt more 

confident as a result of the collaborative environment, proving that these places are vital for the

 future of successful business.

With surveys revealing that 80% of coworkers report that they turn to other coworkers for help or

 guidance, it appears that one of the core drivers for an increase in coworking population revolves 

around the community within!

There is no other environment in the world to offer a professional drive towards community, with

 community workspaces adding a whole new meaning to “work family”. We envision that this sense

 of belonging will be a key selling point for future entrepreneurs looking for a great place to work from.

Feeling Part of Something Bigger!

With the aforementioned statistics revealing the rapid growth in the coworking industry, there seems

 no better time to be a part of it – and it is this realisation that will keep coworking 

communities up and coming for the years to come.

In this day and age, everyone wants to be a part of the newest and most exciting social changes. 

And with the digital world ever-changing and evolving, shared offices such as ours will remain at the

 forefront of technology and availability, offering something unique and unmatched elsewhere.

We are now entering into a phase where coworking is more than just kick-starters, but a varied mix

 of industry professionals, big and small companies; and this unique environment will continue to 

draw attention from new and interested parties.

Round the Clock Support

As the business world develops to keep up with the times, the need to clock in and out is slowly 

being phased out. In fact, now more than ever we want to be able to access our business at any

 time of the day, and luckily technology allows this!

For the future growth of business, the ability to work at any time of day from a fully functioning office

 space will become paramount. For us, this means the spaces like ours will thrive as business 

continues to develop.

With the current political changes, there is a level of uncertainty present for many business people,

 and a stable and secure place of work can offer relief and certainty in an otherwise unstable time. 

As things continue to change, the world of coworking and short-term contracts will only serve as a 

more popular option for those looking to continue working securely.

Coworking for the Future of Your Business

The growth of collaborative office spaces are testament to their huge potential to create incredible 

businesses and assist those stuck in a rut to thrive and become inspired. There is arguably a level 

of commitment to becoming part of a coworking space community, but given the varied benefits 

we’ve covered, it seems like a worthy investment!

Whether you want one or two hours every day, or 24/7 access to your business needs, a coworking 

and collaborative space such as Areaworks provide unique and more importantly FUN places that 

will help you meet like-minded folk, enjoy a coffee over business proposals and get things done!

If you are still not sure why coworking could be the future of your business, why not get in touch

 and we can take you on a whistle-stop tour of one of our incredible offices – you will be surprised at

 how quickly the creativity bug sets in!

Coworking & Communities: More Than Just A Desk?

The concept of coworking goes way back; and although the ideas around what it really means to

 cowork have changed and developed over the years, the core principles have remained the same.

 To those who have never experienced working in a collaborative workspace, it can 

seem like just another rented desk, but for those individuals who are well versed in coworking 

communities, there is an understanding that there is so much more to it than that.

Over the past 2-3 years, there has been a massive influx of coworking spaces around the world, 

and we can see why. Most coworking and collaborative spaces are a veritable

 hive of inspiration, productivity and togetherness that is unmatched in the traditional office space. 

Not only that, but with a notable rise in self-employment, the demand for such spaces has naturally

 risen along with it.

Community Is Key

If you ask anybody that has worked in a coworking office space before, whether they are entrepreneurs,

 freelancers, kick-starters or even corporate companies, they will all tell you the same thing; 

it’s all about the community!

In what other situation could you expect an average working day to consist of meeting and working

 alongside industry professionals from a diverse range of industries? Coworking spaces are so much

 more than hiring a desk or an office for a few days of the week, they are a unique chance to bounce

 ideas around a group of experienced, talented industry specialists, all whilst growing your own business.

For us at Areaworks, we are all about our members. That means putting our community first to ensure 

that we remain one big happy family. So, new and existing members can expect value and collaboration

 from the moment they step through the door to the moment they clock out. If you want to know

 what else to expect from one of our spaces then check out our blog post about 

how to choose the right collaborative workspace to find out 

everything you need to know about different coworking spaces.

Is Coworking Really 

Anything More Than Hiring

 A Desk?

The majority of members who work from one of our spaces have come from a self-employed background 

and are looking for a change of scenery from their home office, or a new source of inspiration. 

However, amongst all of our Areaworks members, the vast majority have at some point in their lives,

 worked in a traditional office setting.

We understand that for those who haven’t experienced desk coworking, that there appears

 to be absolutely no difference between this and your traditional office. However, this couldn’t be

 further from the truth. In fact not only does operating from a coworking office space mean you have

 more autonomy and independence, but it also means you are gaining access to a wealth of knowledge

 that you simply wouldn’t come across in a traditional work setting.

There is no direct competition with other members, no boss looming over your shoulder, and the

 environment allows you to really find your own voice. When you meet others in a coworking 

space, you get the opportunity to explain what YOU do, what sets you apart from everybody else;

 that sense of identity is a powerful tool to building up your business.

Nowadays offering a desk at a small fee simply isn’t enough to attract professionals, especially 

when they can get the same experience for a lot less at home! That’s why many shared spaces will

 offer so much more than merely a space to work in. They will often throw in other mod cons from 

high tech equipment to discounted offers at local food and drink venues, and even in-house fun and 

games that is certainly a far cry away from the ‘normal’ work environment!

Areaworks have created a community based on a shared goal, which is to progress and develop whilst 

helping those around us to do the same. We offer a desk, sure, but people don’t sign up with us just

 to make use of the desk space. They come because we provide a range of attractive discounts,

 a top-class community, super-speed Wi-Fi all wrapped up in a spacious, lean aesthetic that lends 

itself to increased productivity.

What’s more is that unlike your 9-5 office, most coworking spaces operate 24/7, meaning you can 

choose whether you want to burn the midnight oil or take that early start!

Internal Vs. External 

Community Building

If you haven’t guessed already, we are extremely passionate about the community we have built

 across our two workspaces. What started off as three guys and one empty space has developed

 into two amazing work areas that are home to some of the most innovative people we have ever

 met (and watch this space, there are more to come!) We have also been blessed to collaborate 

with so many other business (big and small) and local charities – our community extends far beyond 

our coworking spaces.

But, do we believe this community success is directly linked to us being a coworking office space?

 Some might want to argue that if a business is good, it will have as much a chance at creating a 

fabulous community as anybody else. Whilst we can’t argue against that, we can speak from 

experience and say that the years of working to help each other succeed is something that is rare to

 find in any business. We consider Areaworks to be more than a business or company, we consider

 ourselves to be a community of people working together, and that is an appealing concept, which 

brings outsiders in.

Coworking Spaces Aren’t 

Just For Freelancers!

 In the past, remote working was usually for those who worked for themselves. It was much less 

common than it is today to see people from corporate businesses logging in from home or the local

 café. However, times have changed and with everything now being online, we are seeing a huge 

influx of ‘corporate’ individuals becoming members of coworking spaces.

Whilst many coworking spots are designed to encourage artistic thought and creativity, this doesn’t

 mean that employers from bigger organisations can’t benefit from the environment too. The idea 

of detaching from the norm for a couple of days a week to thrive in a fresh and creative environment 

can work wonders for not only staff morale but also for the business in general.

Is 2018 A Good Year For

 Coworking?

Even though coworking has been around for a while now, it hasn’t always been so popular. In fact,

 it has only been over the past few years that coworking spaces have become sought after locations

 for the self-employed, the average Joe start-up and more recently, even corporate giants!

So what can we expect for 2018, and the future of coworking? In this day and age, spaces like these 

can only really be a good thing. With so much negativity in the world, it seems that any excuse to

 get together and produce incredible things should be grasped with both hands! And it appears that 

others agree with us, with statistics revealing that in 2018, the number of members using a coworking 

office space will hit 1.7 million. Check out our previous blog post which highlights some other 

incredible coworking facts for 2018.

We are lucky enough to be located in what is known as the Global Capital for Coworking spaces, 

even beating New York. Yes, that’s right, London is home to hundreds of coworking spaces now, and 

we love being a part of it! But why bother choosing such a diverse and unusual environment to work from?

 With more people working remotely in keeping with the digital age we live in, and even more of us 

choosing to go freelance – it seems like a no brainer that a communal work space like ours should be

 the future of business.

Why Consider Areaworks?

As we have mentioned, London is heavily populated with coworking spaces, which begs the question 

– why should you consider Areaworks as your workplace home from home?

Other than the fact that we consider ourselves to be one of the best communities around (biased opinion,

 we know), we also offer so many other fantastic reasons to consider us as your go-to place of work.

We run regular meet-ups across both our Manor House and Hoxton spaces, which give

 you a chance to mingle with other innovators, creators and overall good eggs. We open up the floor 

for you to build on your skills with workshops centering on improving your business, engaging your 

imagination and opening yourself up to new opportunities. We invite inspirational movers and shakers

 to deliver talks that will encourage you to think outside the box and shake things up.

If this sounds all a little too formal, we aren’t always talking shop – we also host a number of social

 activities from board game nights, to wine and cheese for all!

We offer super-strength Wi-Fi, isolated areas as well as collaborative workspaces and both of our 

locations are situated in ideal lunchtime spots with cafes and coffee shops within walking distance!

Sounding Good?

If you think that one of our coworking spaces could be for you, why not get in touch and

 arrange a look around. We offer no obligation tours so you can really get a feel for the 

place before making any commitments. Come down and have a brew with us, we would love to find

 out more about what you do!

About Areaworks

Areaworks is a provider of open supportive coworking office spaces in accessible 

areas throughout London. We don’t believe in stuffy central locations, long commutes, impersonal 

and uptight environments. We believe there’s a better way of working, and we’re here to make it 

happen: in our areas, with our areas. We believe in opening up communities that inspire progress

 and open up opportunities. We offer complete turnkey work place solutions for start-ups, creatives,

 freelancers, and entrepreneurs. We design our desk coworking to feel open, to encourage 

collaboration and productivity, to inspire you to think differently. Areaworks currently has two 

coworking spaces in prime London locations. The first resides in Manor House, an area 

very close to our hearts (and where it all began). Our second space recently opened in Hoxton,

 one of the fastest growing areas for all things innovation, in London. If you are looking for a 

coworking space in London, which provides you with the environment and opportunity 

to collaborate with like-minded individuals, then we have the perfect place for you.

Top Tips and Future Predictions for Coworking Offices

The number of coworking offices that have opened has literally exploded in the last few years. Current estimates put the global number at over 15,000. This shouldn’t come as a surprise given the volume of new businesses forming around the world. In 2017 alone, over half a million small businesses were formed in the UK.

The need for flexible workplaces is clearly on the rise. If you’ve not worked from a coworking office before, here are some top tips and things for you to consider:

Get in the right zone

There’s often some confusion over what a flexible workplace is. This happens when shared offices and coworking offices get mixed up. Although they sound similar, they are very different.

Shared offices allow you to sublease an office, a floor or even the whole building, if you wish. Most of the leases are for small office spaces in a building that is crammed with other small to medium sized businesses.

Working from a shared office will get you out of your home office and away from the local coffee shop, however they do tend to follow the standard corporate look and feel of beige walls and brown carpets. Not very inspiring! The spaces are also usually closed-off so you’ll most probably be holed up in your office, only meeting others en-route to get your caffeine fix.

Coworking offices, on the other hand, are focused on collaboration and networking. The thinking behind coworking spaces is that businesses thrive in a supportive and open environment. You’ll be pleased to know that there isn’t a tired looking office in sight. In fact, the interiors are just the total opposite of corporate. They all have a personality and character that will help get your creative juices flowing!

Coworking – one size does not fit all

Coworking spaces come in all shapes and sizes. There’s the quirky kind – which have slides, swings, and foosballs. It could be more like a child’s playground than a coworking space, but, if that’s your thing, go for it. You definitely won’t get bored!

For those who want something a little more relaxed, you’ll find spaces that are open, airy, and comfortable. They offer the tools you need to work efficiently; like high speed WiFi, printers, copiers, cosy chairs, (no more sore backs) and quiet zones. For the health conscious, fresh fruit and an array of herbal teas are on offer, and of course, the best quality coffee around!

What’s even more interesting is that the people you’ll find in coworking spaces are as diverse as the spaces themselves. You could find yourself chatting to the owner of the next big tech startup or bumping into the CEO of a big corporation.

Coworking is good for your health

Who would believe it, but remote working has created its own illness. It’s called ‘loneliness epidemic’. You may be inclined to ask, what causes it? Medical practitioners put it down to a lack of human and social interaction. Some professionals are even saying that the consequences of this illness can be as serious as smoking.

Word on the street is that one of the best ways to prevent this is by joining a coworking space in your local community. Spending some time in these places not only helps expand your professional network but is also a great way to get involved with your local community. And let’s not forget that nothing can beat the euphoric feeling you get when you know you’ve had a great day working on the things that you’re passionate about.

 

 

 

Spaces that change as you do

As the way people work continues to change and adapt, so will coworking spaces. Coworking is now so popular, it even has its own forecast report. Predictably, it’s called ‘The Global Coworking Forecast.’ We’ve got our hands on the latest copy and we picked out a few of our favourite predictions:

More coworking spaces to provide childcare:

It comes as no surprise to us that an increasing number of coworking offices are offering creches. More and more mums, are making the decision to become ‘mumpreneurs’. Plus, more dads are choosing flexible working to create a better work-life balance.

Coworking spaces will offer services provided by local partners:

Creating relationships with local businesses, that in turn benefit the coworking community, will spell the difference between the simply good from the truly brilliant. Members are becoming more and more savvy as to what they expect – and whether these establishments fulfil just a normal wish-list or go above and beyond will be a deciding factor.

Ready? Go for it

Our coworking offices are open, supportive work environments that are designed to make make people feel good. The high ceilings and glass fronted exterior make our spaces feel open and airy. We offer a range of spaces to suit your needs, provide the tools you need to get your work done, and chilled break-out zones are dotted around to help you recharge. We’re also helping our members stay fit and healthy by providing nutritious snacks and offering gym memberships (at some sites) as an add-on to our membership packages.

Areawork’s aim is to make things better than how we found them. In fact, our first space at Manor House was created by turning an empty and unused clothing factory into a collaborative and positive coworking space, that offers great facilities at value for money for the community. Next on the plans is the soon to be opened Hoxton location, and many more after that! Keep an eye on our website for exciting updates or, pop along to one of our spaces and explore what we have to offer. Have a chat and a coffee with our Community Managers – you can’t miss them. They’ll be one with the friendly smile, greeting you when you walk through the door.

Areaworks – we are open, so come on in.

For more information on our coworking offices, you can drop us a line here!

About Areaworks

Areaworks is a provider of open supportive coworking office spaces in accessible areas throughout London. We don’t believe in stuffy central locations, long commutes, impersonal and uptight environments. We believe there’s a better way of working, and we’re here to make it happen: in our areas, with our areas. We believe in opening up communities that inspire progress and open up opportunities. We offer complete turnkey work place solutions for start-ups, creatives, freelancers, and entrepreneurs. We design our desk coworking to feel open, to encourage collaboration and productivity, to inspire you to think differently. Areaworks currently has two coworking spaces in prime London locations. The first resides in Manor House, an area very close to our hearts (and where it all began). Our second space recently opened in Hoxton, one of the fastest growing areas for all things innovation, in London. If you are looking for a coworking space in London, which provides you with the environment and opportunity to collaborate with like-minded individuals, then we have the perfect place for you.