High-Quality Content On A Budget

Over the last few days, I have spent most of my time in London, channelling my inner nomad and working pretty much wherever I can find a space. I’m lucky enough to have close friends who live in and around London, so I always make sure that they keep me updated on where’s hot and where’s not.

The main reason for my trip was to attend an HR software event in order to get a closer look at competitors and the way the market is moving. The event was far from engaging, which resulted in my departure after what felt like a lifetime (25 minutes). I decided that I would be foolish not to make the most of my time in the city, so I made a brief call to a good friend who recently relocated to the area. We soon found ourselves deep in conversation over a topic that seems to be becoming more and more common: co-working spaces.

I will briefly explain what co-working means for those of you who aren’t familiar with the concept. Co-working involves a large number of different businesses or individuals working harmoniously under one roof. The concept itself is definitely something that I can appreciate, the execution, however, still doesn’t seem like it’s all there. Over the last few years, we’ve seen the rise of large companies such as WeWork which are showing no signs of decreasing in popularity in the near future.

I always try to view things with an open mind and consider all of the pros and cons before I cast an opinion about something. There are a number of positive aspects related to co-working such as:

Rolling or “non-fixed” contracts which can work around you and your business needs.

Affordable rates in areas that would typically be very costly. Prices range from £200 up to £350 for an individual desk.

Opportunities to build valuable business relationships with fellow colleagues in the building.

Quirky and unique office interiors with a number of entertaining features ranging from breakout rooms with ping pong tables to communal beer taps.

24/7 access to the offices which is the ultimate freedom when working within a start-up environment.

The above points present a more than valid case for a large number of people to join the co-working experience, however, it’s not without its downsides.

Co-working spaces can often be so packed with fancy features and amenities that it’s easy to lose sight of what you’re actually there for, which at the end of the day is to work.

Private offices within a co-working space can be incredibly expensive. I recently toured a great space in Paddington and almost fell in love with the building if it weren’t for the £4000 a month price tag. Did I mention that’s for 6 people?

The spaces can often feel very inconsistent due to individuals only sticking around for a few weeks at a time.

There does seem to be a lack of privacy within the building, it’s either a somewhat scary silence or the polar opposite.

If you’re looking to have the use of private meeting rooms for meetings with clients then be prepared to pay anywhere from £25 an hour all the way up to £70 for a larger room.

In conclusion, I really can understand why these spaces are becoming increasingly popular throughout major cities and large towns. If you’re looking for somewhere to get your business off the ground, or just a nice, modern workspace then they’re great. If you’re looking for somewhere to call home and create a strong company culture then co-working probably isn’t for you. The option to take a private or semi-private office seems like a fantastic option. However, it may not make a whole load of sense when you consider all of the factors such as pricing, privacy and comfort.

My personal opinion is that co-working will continue to see a rapid rise in popularity over the next few years. But for someone like myself who is looking to make the move up to London later this year, the value for money just isn’t quite there yet.

To round up this post, I would like to take a moment to acknowledge all of those who were involved in the Grenfell Tower fire earlier this week and also the courageous actions of the London Fire Brigade. Tragedies like this shouldn’t happen in this day and age and I would like to extend my love and thoughts to all of those affected.