Swindon & Wiltshire News
Bristol business owners look to flexible space as office rents soar
Flexible workspace operators in Bristol are seeing a surge in demand as headline rents in the city have soared to a record £48 per square foot – among the highest of the UK’s major cities.
Professional trade body the Flexible Space Association met at Landmark recently to discuss the pressure on office space across the city.
“The rising rents show how competitive the Bristol job market is – and how much occupiers value having a destination office that talented people want to come to,” said Desklodge founder Tom Ball.
“High-quality flex operators are seeing a huge influx from more traditional occupiers as their leases come to an end.
“Flexible space has always been popular with smaller companies – but increasingly larger companies are choosing to outsource to operators who can create a culture and experience far beyond the “branch offices” derided in sit-coms for years.
“Where you work matters – and companies that want the best talent need to provide the best environments.”
Discussions during the event explored current market trends, shifts in occupier demand, and the challenges posed by limited availability of traditional office spaces.
A workspace tour of Landmark, near Temple Meads Station, and the nearby Desklodge House – with its submarine and caravan meeting rooms, woodland, space and festival-themed areas – also gave attendees with firsthand insight into innovative approaches being adopted within Bristol’s flexible office market.
Jane Sartin, executive director of the Flexible Space Association, said: “The event highlighted the importance of collaboration within our industry to ensure businesses in Bristol continue to have access to the flexible, high-quality workspaces they need to thrive.”
