How to effectively juggle work and social life
Now that many of us are working from home and have constant access to our emails, we know it can be tempting to just “quickly” check them in the evening after you have closed the laptop down for the day. Suddenly a five minutecheck turns into an hour and a half, 10 more emails and 3 phone calls. The pressures of work can pile up sometimes, but it’s more important than ever to make sure you have an effective work/social life balance to ensure a healthy mind. So, we’ve put together some tips on how to help keep the balance just right.
Be social
No matter how busy or weighed down you may feel, it is important to still make time to maintain contact with your family and friends. Instead of burning the midnight oil in front of the computer take some time out for the ones you love. Whether it’s a virtual catch up with friends over a drink, watching a movie or even simply having dinner with your family, doing something after work that you enjoy and is non-work related will help you relax; keeping you happy and healthy.
Take holidays
Everyone is entitled to a holiday! Yes, it may seem pointless to use your holidays when you are in lockdown and can’t jet off for two weeks to a beach somewhere but it’s important to step away from work once in a while. Taking a break, even for a few days and switching off will help you feel refreshed and give your body a chance to fully re-charge their batteries. Why not take a Friday or a Monday off to elongate the weekend? It means that you will come back to work feeling well-rested and be more productive than ever.
Be efficient with your time
We know that being social and finding the time for a holiday is important, but of course the work still needs to get done, hence the phrase work AND social life balance. Being efficient and strict with your time will help you achieve a complete to-do list and a healthy social life. When you’re at work, focus on the task in hand and give it your full attention, try to avoid distractions like texts and social media. This will help you concentrate and allow you to efficiently produce your best work. Before you leave the “home office” make a to-do list for the next day, this will help you feel organised and prepared in advance, so nothing gets missed.
Create your own working hours
There are numerous studies that show that working 9-5 isn’t the most effective way of working for lots of us. As we all have grown accustomed to working from home we can now see the truth in this; you may be more of an early riser or perhaps a night owl, either way we all know that we would be much more productive if we created our own working hours. As well as boosting productivity, creating your own schedule can help you balance and make time for your social life and any family commitments you may have. Co-working is perfect for this, with 24/7 access to our dedicated desks you can work the hours that suit you, why not give it a go and see if it’s for you.
Get in touch with the Us&Co sales team today:
London Stratford co-working space, 11 Burford Road
Phone us: 020 3031 3535
Email us: enquiries@usandco.com
London Monument co-working space, 7 Harp Lane
Phone us: 020 3031 3535
Email us: enquiries@usandco.com
What Will Post-Lockdown Look Like?
In light of, Covid-19 lockdown restrictions being eased, we are now seeing people slowly but surely returning to work. Nevertheless, with this incremental return to normality, governmental guidelines such as social distancing will invariably have to stay in place. What this signifies is that our day to day lives will inevitably be changed for the foreseeable. From our commute into work to our grocery shopping we will have to adapt to “the new normal”.
But what will post-lockdown look like? What will be different? What will we have to prepare for? This article endeavours to answer these questions by highlighting the main changes we will most likely see affecting our lives.
Transport
With employers implementing a staggered reintroduction into the workplace, with many employee’s continuing to work from home, employers will also have to consider staggering employees “start and finishing times”. There will be a need, like seen throughout the 2012 London Olympics, for some coordination with public transport authorities such as TFL to help decrease the volume of people travelling during peak times.
Additionally, while social distancing is in place, public transport such as the bus and train will no longer be able to operate normally. According to London’s deputy mayor for transport, Heidi Alexander, buses which usually hold up to 85 people now should only carry 15 people, while train carriages should only carry 21 people from the usual 125. This certainly will create extended queues increasing “dwell times”. To combat this, the government are proposing to increase bus and train timetables. Commuters will be advised to wear face-coverings and if possible, bring personal hand-sanitiser and tissues. However, they suggest that public transport should be a last resort for people if other modes of transport are available.
What we will see in the coming weeks, as government officials are suggesting, is an uptake in active travel such as cycling and walking. Considering this, a plan has been laid out to increase the number of bicycle lanes throughout the city as can be seen to be done in New York City which has begun to put in place 110 miles of bike lanes. Meaning we can expect an increase in the number of roads reallocated to pedestrians and cyclists. Even so, drivers will have to have to take due care as there will be a rise in inexperienced cyclists on the road.
Shopping
In terms of how our shopping habits will change post lockdown, we need only look at how supermarkets and pharmacies have dealt with the restrictive measures during lockdown. Using the British Retail Consortium published guidelines we can see the measures that will stay in place for the foreseeable with the reopening of more shops.
There will be a limited number of people allowed in a shop at one time with, if possible, a one-way system with a limited number of entrances and exits. Customers will have to wait in the clearly marked queue allowing for correct social distancing. A shop employee will then direct waiting customers when they can enter and direct them to the cleaning stations where they will be encouraged to use the hand sanitiser. Till-points will have changed throughout, with Perspex screens being installed to protect both customer and till operator. Due to physical money being notoriously covered in germs, government guidelines urge people to use contactless payment methods when they can, which we will most likely see become the norm in the future.
Café’s and sandwich shops will follow the same procedures, though through a take-away centric approach. It may be awhile before we will be allowed to sit in and enjoy a coffee. It is also up to the discretion of the food retailer to open their toilets and, maybe more importantly, baby-changing facilities to the public as these will need to be frequently cleaned.
Furthermore, clothes shops have been advised to prohibit the use of changing rooms as well as removing any customer seating. If this is not possible, fitting rooms will have to be manned at all times, while seating will need to be spread to ensure social distancing is maintained. Even with the exhaustive measures being put in place it could very well be the case that retailers may see a decline in in-store sales. Unsurprisingly, Drapers reported over 80% of in-store sales have dropped from this time last year with many people opting for the online option. We can be assured to expect a different retailing landscape post lockdown.
Fitness
However, the retail industry is not alone in possibly having to pivot its business plan. Gyms, in an attempt to retain their existing members, created virtual gym classes where people could log in and take part in the comfort of their own home. This saw a surge in home gym equipment purchases. Due to the relative ease and accessibility to virtual workout classes with personal trainers, gyms may see a decline in membership with people opting for the online option. Nevertheless, what we can expect is that the option will have to be provided as it has been proven to work.
Even though post lockdown may seem to curtail our freedom, it will undoubtedly bring us alternative ways for us to manoeuvre around the restrictions. As we all know, “necessity is the mother of invention!
Get in touch with the Us&Co sales team today:
London Stratford co-working space, 11 Burford Road
Phone us: 020 3031 3535
Email us: enquiries@usandco.com
London Monument co-working space, 7 Harp Lane
Phone us: 020 3031 3535
Email us: enquiries@usandco.com
Going Back to Work Under Social Distancing Restrictions
With the global situation taking its toll on all business sectors, the necessity for innovative and flexible solutions to stem the impact on the markets has now become of paramount importance. This is also true for the flexible office space & co-working sector as the current pandemic crisis has forced many workers to adapt to working from home. However, businesses are now beginning to consider the possible potential relaxation of the current measures in order to arrange a gradual return to the office. This will mean, for the foreseeable, that government-mandated measures such as social distancing will inevitably impact workplace requirements as companies seek ways to protect the health of their employees.
One possible way of tackling this obstacle is de-densification; this will create space for your employees by splitting offices or using a staff rotation method. However, this has the potential to create its own issues as seen in central London where there has been a notable decrease in allocated space for employees as demand for high-quality office space has surpassed the supply in the last five years. Therefore, attempting to create a “6-Feet office” as per governing regulations will prove to be a challenge. Companies, as a result, are considering temporarily decentralising their base of operations for the use of a workplace recovery or swing space.
Nevertheless, this does not mean that one is resigned to isolating their operations outside of Greater London. Many boroughs in Outer London have seen a great influx in investments and office developments in the last ten years, but none stand out as much as Stratford.
Interested in swing space in Stratford? Click here for more information on Us&Co Stratford’s co-working and private office space. Book a Video Call with our sales team or have a look for yourself with our virtual tour!
Ever Since the 2012 Olympics, Stratford has undergone a colossal renovation project which has given rise to Stratford becoming the new up and coming business hub. Now in 2020, Us&Co has opened its third and largest premises with up to 34,000 sq./ft of serviced office space including meeting and conference rooms, and breakout spaces.
As a serviced office provider, Us&Co understand that the business relationship between operator and tenant is a symbiotic one. Hence the need to strive for a mutually beneficial initiative which might attempt to curb any negative outcome resulting from this extended pause in business. To pre-empt the eventual return to the office, Us&Co have been pro-active to implement measures in their buildings to help prevent the spread of Covid-19 and to safeguard the health of their members. Inevitably, many organisations will have to stagger reintroduction into their offices while trying to juggle reconfiguring their offices with running their businesses. Us&Co endeavour to resolve these concerns for their members by helping to prepare offices for social distancing and hygiene practices.
Some businesses also may have to contend with the fact that the opening of their new offices have been delayed due to postponed construction and so must find a temporary workplace for their staff. Us&Co Stratford is equipped to accommodate a company of up to 150 people which would be able to avail of a whole floor measuring at 6,000 sq. feet. All offices are fully furnished and are equipped with ready to go high-speed secure internet available throughout the building.
Us&Co Stratford also hosts a range of meeting rooms which are all fully equipped with the latest AV technology and easy connectivity to large high definition screens for presentations or screen sharing allowing for easy video conferencing.
While Us&Co Stratford is easily reachable by car, with numerous car parks nearby, the building is in walking distance of both Stratford High Street and Stratford International Station with an 8-minute Tube ride into the centre of the city. Despite its perceived proximity and accessibility to central London, Stratford boasts of freely moving traffic and less crowded streets around office buildings making it an invaluable location especially during these times.
Get in touch with the Us&Co Stratford team today:
London Stratford co-working space, 11 Burford Road
Phone us: 020 3031 3535
Email us: enquiries@usandco.com
*Why not have a look at our other branches:
London Monument co-working space, 7 Harp Lane
Phone us: 020 3031 3535
Email us: enquiries@usandco.com
Adjusting to Working from Home
With the invention of the personal computer, working from home has now become increasingly popular. So much so that there has been a remarkable increase in people remote working in the last 4 to 5 years with 1.7 million people in the UK now reporting to work mainly from home.
However, with the global outbreak of Covid-19 affecting all industries, many of us, up until a month or two ago, would have never considered the possibility that many office professionals would be forced into doing just that, Working from Home (WFH).
Adjusting to working from home is never easy. Though there are obvious benefits to remote working including increased flexibility, lack of commute and no water cooler chat (if that isn’t your thing!), it can be a struggle to be productive if you don’t quickly find a routine. While it is hard to find that sweet spot, here are several tips and tricks which may help you along the way.
1. Keep up your Morning Routine.
This may be easier said than done but keeping a semblance of your usual morning routine will help prepare you for a productive day – be it going for a run or making yourself a cup of coffee, these habits that you usually keep will go a long way in getting you into a work mindset. This involves getting dressed; it may sound silly but attempting to work in your pyjamas is probably a bad idea.
2. Stick to a Schedule
The “flexibility” of working from home can be so enticing. Sleeping in or procrastinating because you don’t have anyone breathing down your neck seems like the dream but, in reality, it can have a negative effect on your mental health and productivity levels. On the other hand, don’t allow yourself to be overworked into the night. Set your business hours and follow them religiously. This includes taking your full lunch break.
3. Create a Designated Workspace
There have been a lot of studies highlighting the benefits of movement in the workplace. Changing your workstation has been proven to help productivity and morale. However, one of the major downsides of working from home is that you end up working in an environment cluttered with personal distractions. It is much more difficult to concentrate when your TV, games and social media are all so readily available. Therefore, its best to create a dedicated workspace and stick to it. Looking to design your own Home Office? Architectural Digest might give you some ideas. Don’t allow yourself to be tempted onto the couch where you’re within arm’s reach of the TV remote.
4. Set Ground Rules
This ties in neatly with Tip #3. When you have chosen your designated space, you need to set some ground rules with either your roommates or your family members. Just because you’re at home does not mean your available for a chat or domestic chores. When you’re in your “home office”, you are not to be disturbed.
5. Take Breaks
This may seem counter-intuitive, but research has suggested that taking small breaks will help your productivity and creativity levels. If you don’t create a good work-life balance you won’t be able to commit fully to your work. This doesn’t mean checking in on your social media accounts but stepping away from your computer every now and again; our eyes weren’t made to be looking at a screen 24/7.
Read more:
– Are you taking breaks all wrong?
6. Keep Connected
Working from home can be extremely lonely so it’s good to stay connected with your colleagues. There are many ways to do this but one of the best ways is using a video conferencing app such as Zoom or Google Hangouts. Communication is an important part of any job so don’t resign yourself to being isolated. This way you can catch up with your team and/or clients. You don’t necessarily have to talk about work; we’re social creatures after all.
7. Eat Healthily
Snacking is oh so easy when you’re working from home. Having a fridge stockpiled with your own food can be a recipe for disaster. Though it’s nice not having to watch out for nametags and worrying if you’re using someone else’s milk, planning a healthy lunch and eating fruit is beneficial. A research paper published by the British Journal of Health Psychology indicates that eating healthily helps mental health and concentration. You can always reward yourself at the end of the day with a treat.
8. Exercise
Sitting at your desk for hours on end is now considered to have adverse effects not only on your productivity but also on your health. Exercising is a great way of keeping fit as well as keeping you motivated and engaged. If you can’t go out for a walk or run, there are numerous online fitness classes you can sign up to and take part in from the comfort of your own home. At a minimum, try stretching occasionally as this will help you maintain a good posture.
9. Stay Positive
Finally, stay upbeat! Adjusting to working from home can be difficult so give yourself time to find your own rhythm. It has its challenges so go easy on yourself and embrace the flexibility of working remotely.
Get in touch with the Us&Co team today
Our office spaces are currently closed as a response to the global situation, however we are still more than happy to discuss future co-working and private office memberships. We have virtual 360° floor-by-floor tours of all three of our spaces (London Monument, Stratford and Dublin). You can contact us through any of the means below, and we will be sure to let you know when we’re re-opening our doors.
London Monument co-working space
7 Harp Lane EC3R 6DP
Book an in-person tour (when we re-open)
Phone us: 02030313535
London Stratford co-working space
11 Burford Road E15 2ST (newly opened)
Book an in-person tour (when we re-open)
Phone us: 020 3031 3535
What Co-Working Can Teach Us About Working From Home Productively
In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, people across the globe are having to adapt to working from home. For many, this is previously unknown territory. The question therefore arises as to how to maintain productive working when WFH.
As a co-working space provider, we are well-versed in creating working environments that prioritise creativity, collaboration and efficiency. In this article, we are going to share some of our proven techniques for workspace productivity, that are also fully transferable to working from home.
Interested in learning more about Us&Co’s Private Offices & Co-Working Spaces? Click here for more information or view our virtual 360° space tours.
1. Maintain a collaborative environment from home
Working from home does not mean working alone. Just because you are out of the office, doesn’t mean that you should stop utilising the skills and insights of your colleagues.
Now is the time to really make the most out of the wealth of communication technology available: Slack, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Hangouts. Obviously, it’s not quite the same as having your team in the room with you, but virtual meetings are the next best thing. Use these tools to open up idea-generation discussions, pick people’s brains and talk through what you’re working on. You’ll find it so much more lucrative than trying to go it alone.
In some cases, there are even benefits to be reaped from working in close proximity with housemates, family members, partners or friends – even if they’re not in the same industry. Talking through your thoughts out-loud with anyone is helpful for making sure your ideas make sense. Plus, you may even learn something new from their specialities that are applicable to your day-to-day: from how they manage their time to how they format their spreadsheets!
2. Optimise your working from home set-up
How you set-up your workspace is crucial to getting in the right frame of mind to create and deliver. It may be tempting to slouch on the sofa in your pyjamas, but ultimately that’s not going to help you remain productive.
Based on our learnings as a productivity-focused office space provider, the below are our top tips for setting up your own WFH workspace:
- Find a chair and desk set-up that helps you maintain good posture – Poor posture can contribute to a number of physical complaints that also have a knock-on impact on your concentration – including fatigue, joint pain and headaches.
- Allow yourself plenty of natural light – Ideally, you’d want to work by a window, with the curtains. Research shows that workers who receive sufficient daylight are up to 40% more productive.
- Separate your workspace from your home space – When working from home, creating healthy work/life barriers is even more important. If possible, work from a different room as you relax/sleep. If that’s not possible, pack away your work things at the end of the day so they don’t remain a constant reminder of everything you’ve got to do when you’re supposed to be winding down.
- Find somewhere quiet to work, if you can – We understand that this is not always possible, particularly for those with families at home. However, if you can create yourself a ‘safe-space’ away from noise, at least for calls or video conferences, that is ideal.
3. Continue your work habits & routines as much as possible
The secret to working productively from home is to treat your days as similarly as possible to your in-office days. Everything that you’ve learned works for you in the past, try and continue as much as you can.
First things first is to start and finish work at the same time you would usually, in order to maintain routine. Yes, that means getting up, dressed and grabbing breakfast in the morning, and switching off at a reasonable time at the end of the working day.
If you’re used to chatting with your teammates around the coffee machine, or talking through your weekends on a Monday morning, keep that up! Those social, water-cooler chats are just as important to your wellbeing and productivity as work-based conversations. Similarly, we recommend organising virtual lunch-dates with colleagues and friends to give yourself a well-needed midday break.
For those who like working in an office with background chatter or music, try and emulate that through curating your own WFH playlist. If your preference was always for silence, work out the best ways you can achieve that at home.
4. Remember that work shouldn’t be 24/7
Now more than ever, people are starting to re-prioritise and concentrate on the things in life that mean most to them. Obviously, work is important – for many it’s the most important part of their life. But the trick is to still make sure you still take breaks whenever you can, so you come back refreshed and ready to roll.
Get in touch with the Us&Co team today
Our office spaces are currently closed as a response to the global situation, however we are still more than happy to discuss future co-working membership. We have virtual 360° floor-by-floor tours of all three of our spaces (London Monument, Stratford and Dublin). You can contact us through any of the means below, and we will be sure to let you know when we’re re-opening our doors.
London Monument co-working space, 7 Harp Lane
Book an in-person tour (when we re-open)
Phone us: 02030313535
London Stratford co-working space, 11 Burford Road (newly opened)
Book an in-person tour (when we re-open)
Phone us: 020 3031 3535
Over the last 15 years or so, Stratford (east London) has been completely transformed. Previously somewhat of an economic black hole, pre-Olympics Stratford needed a lot of TLC to get it ready for London 2012. A colossal renovation project took place. Over 46,000 new jobs were created in the district, bringing with them a 30% increase in rail capacity and 20,000 new homes.
Fast forward to 2021, Stratford is now turning into an office hot-spot, with more and more businesses moving to the area. Transport for London, Cancer Research, the Financial Conduct Authority, Unicef and the British Council all now how Stratford bases.
So, what is it specifically that’s making Stratford so appealing to London businesses? In this article we look at the top 7 benefits of basing your office in Stratford.
Interested in moving your business to Stratford? Click here for more information on Us&Co’s brand new Stratford co-working and private office space, or book a tour to come and look around.
1. Stratford is in the city, but out of the city
Allow us to explain. Unlike more ‘traditional’ white collar centres in the city centre – Bank, Canary Wharf, Moorgate, etc – Stratford doesn’t quite have the sardine-like quality of central London. Traffic on the roads moves more freely and the streets around the office buildings aren’t as crowded with people. Those who work in Stratford often comment on how un-London parts of the area feel, with a distinct friendly community feel.
2. The Stratford community feel
Businesses that move their offices to Stratford are joining a community that has existed for generations, long before the London even started its bid for the Olympics. To this day, there are still local shop-owners, pub landlords, train staff and more who have lived and worked in the area all their lives. This creates a real neighbourly feel that is rare to find in, say, the financial districts of London.
3. Westfield Shopping Centre is right on your doorstep
Imagine working just walking distance away from one of the largest urban shopping centres in Europe. The Westfield Stratford City Shopping Centre opened its doors in 2011 and has so far generated retail sales of well over £7.4 billion. There are more than 265 different retailers, restaurants and bars to entertain your team on lunchtimes or after-work excursions.
4. The Olympic legacy means there are world-class sports facilities
Talking of what’s right on your doorstep in Stratford – there are all the fantastic sporting facilities you would expect of a former athletes village. The London Aquatics Centre is now a public-use swimming pool, the London Stadium plays host to West Ham football games (among other events) and open green spaces have been converted into handy outdoor gyms.
5. Stratford is great for cycling commuters
More and more people are commuting by bike in London in general. TFL estimates that almost 1 in 4 vehicles in the capital right now is a bike. Unsurprisingly for the home of the Lee Valley VeloPark, cyclists are particularly welcome in Stratford. Cycle lanes, quieter roads and an abundance of bike storage racks all make it easy to travel to your new Stratford office space on two wheels.
Read our top tips for commuting by bike in London.
6. Convenient location for commuter towns
If you’re not keen on the idea of cycling to the office, Stratford is very convenient for other forms of commuting, too. Stratford underground, rail and DLR stations offer super-fast reliable links to the City, London City Airport, Eurostar and top commuting towns in Essex and to the east of London. What’s more the development of the Elizabeth Line (currently estimated to be open in late 2020) will further boost Stratford’s rail connectivity.
7. Stratford offers value for money
Rental prices for private offices are noticeably lower than what you could expect to find in more saturated central London locations. Commercial property prices in Stratford are 21.1% lower than the London average. Considering the recent investments in the area, the value that you get despite that price gap makes it an opportunity almost too good to pass on.
Want to take advantage of that value for money that you can get in Stratford? We have an introductory offer on offic space of just £350 per desk per month at our brand new Stratford work place. Find out more here.
Get in touch with the Us&Co team today:
London Monument co-working space, 7 Harp Lane
Phone us: 02030313535
London Stratford co-working space, 11 Burford Road (newly opened)
Phone us: 020 3031 3535
Creative Consultancy RCCO UK were among the first to join the Us&Co Stratford family when we opened the doors to our new workspace in January 2020.
To celebrate their new home, CEO Jordan Richards and the team put together this fantastic behind-the-scenes tour video – showing off all the amazing amenities the Stratford business centre has to offer. Check it out below!
Video credit: rcco_uk on Instagram (click here to view the original video).
What Jordan had to say:
“We can see the Olympic Park, our favourite pub and Westfield! We’re so lucky to be right next to the DLR and main train station, so it’s an easy commute to get here. One thing I love about this office is how much space there is to grow. There’s so much natural lighting and so much space. I love that this place has all of the facilities taken care of… and some great coffee! I’m so proud of this new space that we’ve grown into. It’s really going to allow us to do better creative work, bring more people onto the team and host our clients in a creative space.”
Interested in working from our exciting new Stratford co-working centre?
Interested in learning more about Us&Co? Us&Co offer professional co-working (hot desks, fixed desks, private offices, meeting rooms and event venue hire) in London and Dublin. We pride ourselves on creating a working atmosphere in which growing businesses, SMEs and individuals can thrive and grow.
Come look around our centres by booking a tour here.
Get in touch with the Us&Co team today:
London Stratford co-working space, 11 Burford Road (newly opened)
Phone us: 020 3031 3535
London Monument co-working space, 7 Harp Lane
Phone us: 02030313535
The number of commuters cycling in central London has reached an all-time high, with recent TFL data suggesting almost 1 in 4 vehicles in the capital right now is a bike. With cycle-friendly infrastructure constantly improving through the city, there’s never been a better time to join the two-wheeled revolution.
There is a strong business case for companies to encourage their employees to cycle to work…
- Cycling has an obvious health advantage over driving or taking public transport that comes through regular exercise. On average, cyclists take 15% fewer days off work than non-cyclists.
- Studies show that more physically fit employees are 4 – 15% more productive and 27% less likely to make task errors.
- Cyclists are much less likely to get held-up in bad traffic or train delays. In 2018 alone, UK drivers lost an average of 178 hours due to traffic, costing the economy £7.9 billion in lost productivity.
- It is the duty of every company – big or small – to do their bit to protect the environment. Compared to driving, cycling 10km each way to work saves 1500kg of greenhouse gas emissions each year.
Here at Us&Co, we are keen advocates of any ways to enhance workplace productivity and improve the quality of life of our workspace members. At our central London co-working centre in Monument, we provide dedicated and secure bike storage spaces, as well as having on-site shower facilities that our members can use to freshen up.
Based on our own experiences of helping make cycling to work as stress-free as possible, we have put together our top tips for commuting by bike in central London.
1. Take the back roads
One of the often-cited downsides of cycling in London is how busy the roads can get – especially at key commuting times. London is home to the most congested road in the UK: the road stretching through Kingsway/Strand/Fleet Street/Cannon Street. For many would-be cycling commuters, the perils of travelling through rush hour traffic alongside countless cars, vans and buses can be enough to make them opt for a car or train instead.
There are alternatives, though. The trick is to plan your route away from the busiest roads. London’s Cycle Superhighways, for example, are a simple way to speed through the city on dedicated bike paths. Similarly, TFL’s Quietways have become an integral part of the London cycle network. Both have recently been incorporated into this London cycle map, which is a must-see for the savvy London cycler.
2. Buying cycling equipment
Even if you commute to work by bike just once or twice a week, investing in high-quality cycling equipment is crucial. A comfortable, lightweight, strong cycle bag keeps your belongings secure. Bringing a change of clothes and attaching mudguards to the bike will help prevent your smart work attire from getting damaged. Most importantly of all, bright lights, reflective clothing, and a sturdy helmet are absolute musts to help keep you safe on the roads.
3. Breathe easy
It is no secret that air pollution is a serious problem in London. Oxford Street, for example, is the most polluted square-mile area in the entirety of Europe. Many regular urban cyclists, therefore, use protective masks, which include filters that keep out particulate matter and gaseous pollutants from the air you breathe.
Even if you don’t have a protective cycling mask, it’s still not worth worrying too much about any potentially negative health impacts. This King’s College Study shows cyclists would need to keep going for 10 hours a day through central London before the negative air damage outweighed the positive exercise benefit of cycling, so rest assured that commuting by bike is benefiting your health.
4. Store your bike safely
Bikes are an easy target for thieves in London. In 2018, a total of 21,745 bikes were reported stolen in London. If your office doesn’t offer dedicated, off-street bike storage, you need to think carefully about how and where to lock up your bike. The ideal scenario is chaining it up somewhere you can see. If that’s not possible, somewhere public where passers-by would notice a thief with bolt cutters. Also, keep an eye out for CCTV cameras, as they can be a great deterrent for criminals.
It is advisable for every bike-owner to register your bike (for free!). Bikeregister.com is the UK’s leading online bicycle registration initiative that is aimed at reducing bicycle theft.
5. Get your bike checked
We recommend that you get a ‘health check’ for your bike every year to make sure everything’s in good working order. In London, there are loads of opportunities to get this done for free. The police, Halfords and Lunar Cycles (to name just a few) all offer bike safety checks and services.
Interested in co-working from a cycle-friendly workspace?
Interested in learning more about Us&Co? Us&Co offer professional co-working (hot desks, fixed desks, private offices, meeting rooms and event venue hire) in London and Dublin. We pride ourselves on creating a working atmosphere in which growing businesses, SMEs and individuals can thrive and grow.
Come look around our centres by booking a tour here.
Get in touch with the Us&Co team today:
London Monument co-working space, 7 Harp Lane
Phone us: 02030313535
London Stratford co-working space, 11 Burford Road (newly opened)
Phone us: 020 3031 3535
The last ten years have been staggering for the phenomenon of co-working. Back in 2010, only 21,000 people around the world could be classed as ‘co-workers’. Now, it is estimated that there will be 5.1 million co-workers by 2022.
With the new year (and a new decade!) just around the corner, we thought now would be the perfect time to look ahead to how this industry looks set to shape-up in 2020. As more and more brands turn to flexible office space, staying ahead of the co-working trends is becoming increasingly essential for staying ahead of your competition.
This article has been written by Us&Co, professional co-working space provider based in London Monument, Dublin and Stratford. For more information on our facilities and services, click here.
1. The growth of serviced, fully private offices
There was a time when co-working was mainly for freelancers, hot-deskers and short-term office rentals. While the practice is still obviously great for such workers, it also looks as though an increasing number of other players are entering the co-working game.
One of the primary benefits of co-working is that it takes all the stress and hassle of office management away so you can concentrate on growing your business instead. The ease of not dealing with cleaning, intermittent Internet and stocking the coffee machine with beans is now appealing to small teams and larger companies alike.
As a result, more established and flourishing brands are opting for serviced private offices. These provide all the privacy, customisation and space that you need, alongside the flexibility and time-saving inclusions that characterise co-working memberships.
An example of a fully serviced private office from Us&Co, ideal for larger teams looking for a space they can really make their own.
2. The external meeting trend
Bookable meeting rooms are becoming increasingly popular, with 2020 set to see the highest number yet of meetings arranged at external locations. A report by Meetings Booker found that a growing number of businesses are booking externally particularly for full-day meetings, which make up 49% of room booking requests.
It’s not hard to see why. There is a long list of advantages to booking external meetings, and scenarios where it is advisable to do so. For example, many brands who book one of our Us&Co meeting rooms do so for a change in scenery for breakout workshops, because they don’t have the meeting space of their own or to take advantage of amenities like audio-visual technology or whiteboards.
External meeting rooms provide high-tech, serviced spaces where any business can host and impress partners, clients, investors and prospective employees. The variety promised by these spaces offers businesses the flexibility of duration, group size and even seated or stand-up meetings.
As specialists in productivity-focused office design, you can be sure to expect a high standard of meeting rooms from co-working spaces.
3. The increasing variety of co-working providers
When co-working was a relatively new phenomenon, there wasn’t a huge variety in what you could expect. Obvious big, early players like WeWork dominated the industry, stamping their particular style onto the practice. That’s all well and good, but it is becoming abundantly clear that a one-size-fits-all never works when it comes to workplace productivity.
In recent years, co-working has seen a significant increase in diversity. Some offer specialist spaces focusing on co-working for a specific industry. Others prioritise catering for certain sizes of teams, for example, spaces designed primarily for freelancers or small groups of under 5. Then there are some that pride themselves on providing a female-centric atmosphere.
Here at Us&Co, we’ve gone down the route of Pro-Working. We prioritise professionalism, productivity and flexibility to provide our members with truly high-quality working experience.
4. The growth of co-working in new locations
Co-working is no longer confined to London, New York and other large metropolitan power-houses. In 2019, the number of co-working spaces registered outside of the UK and USA climbed. India, Spain and Germany, for example, have 841, 483 and 311 co-working spaces registered.
Within the UK, you can expect to find co-working centres cropping up in the vast majority of cities and large towns. London, of course, continues to be the co-working capital of the country (if not, Europe too). However, co-workers no longer have to look to central, ‘conventional’ co-working locations, like Bank & Liverpool Street. Co-working business centres are emerging in previously untapped areas, such as Stratford, which continues to reap the benefits of the 2012 Olympics.
Another significant up-and-comer in the world of co-working is Dublin. Especially amidst the uncertainty of Brexit, many brands are turning to the Irish city for bases within the EU. It offers a high quality of life and a gateway to world markets that appeals to SMEs and established businesses alike. In line with this increase in Dublin business potential, the Dublin flexible workspace industry grew by 4,500 new desk spaces within 2019 (according to research by Click Offices), with further growth predicted for 2020.
Interested in co-working?
Interested in seeing how co-working could help your business thrive in 2020? Us&Co have dedicated pro-working centres in London Monument and Dublin, as well as our brand new workspace in Stratford, opening in the new year. Come look around our centres by booking a tour here.
Get in touch with the Us&Co team today:
London Monument co-working space, 7 Harp Lane
Phone us: 02030313535
London Stratford co-working space, 11 Burford Road (opening early 2020)
Phone us: 020 3031 3535
Us&Co is very excited to announce that our third workspace – 11 Burford Road, Stratford, London – has opened its doors this New Year!
Us&Co Stratford is our largest business centre yet and follows in the footsteps of our London Monument and Dublin coworking spaces. The building consists of 6 floors and over 30,000 sq. ft of private office space. There are also modern, high-tech meeting rooms, a host of premium amenities and stunning breakout spaces for both relaxing and hosting events.
The new East London space mirrors the professional aesthetics of our other centres, including the abundance of natural light and chic decor that Us&Co has always prioritised.
We are excited to be taking shared workspace in Stratford to the next level, providing forward-thinking businesses with office space in one of the most rapidly-growing areas of London.
What does the new space have to offer?
Us&Co Stratford provides the same high quality of amenities and facilities that our current members have come to associate with us. From the luxury decor to the all-inclusive membership fees, we bake professionalism, flexibility and transparency into the core of everything we do.
As always, Us&Co’s co-working cohort has access to free super fast WiFi, 24/7 building access, high tech meeting rooms (also available for external bookings), member events and secure bike storage.
Hot desk and fixed desk coworking is still a large part of what we can offer for our new Stratford members. However, because the building has so much available space, we are able to offer private offices for much larger groups, including large self-contained floors for whole teams.
Customisable Private Office Space
Our new Stratford office space offers highly customisable working environments to suit any thriving, productivity-focused brand. We pride ourselves on creating a professional and nurturing atmosphere that brands feel comfortable making their own.
Ultimately, we want you to feel as though your workspace reflects who you as a brand. No two businesses are the same, and your office shouldn’t be either. Whether you need a private office for a smaller team or a whole self-contained floor for a larger brand, Us&Co Stratford is designed to be as adaptable to your requirements as possible. For example, we can arrange desks, partition walls and set out breakout areas exactly according to your preferences.
If you want to find out more about this, we have a full downloadable Us&Co Stratford Location Brochure. This brochure demonstrates potential floorplans – as well as including further information, such as pricing. You can also book a tour to get a feel of the space and we can help you work out what layout would suit your company best.
Where is Us&Co Stratford located?
11 Burford Rd, E15 2ST
Us&Co Stratford is ideally located for brands looking for a base in a well-connected, vibrant and professional area. We have carefully selected this location based on its clear and increasing potential, which has been growing from strength to strength ever since the area played host to the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Situated just a few minutes’ walk from Stratford underground, rail and DLR stations, there are super-fast, reliable links to the City, London City Airport, Eurostar and more. Additionally, the exciting development of the Elizabeth Line will improve Stratford’s connection to both central London and key commuter towns in Essex and London. Thanks to the new train line (currently estimated to be open by late 2020), it will take only 7 minutes from Stratford to Liverpool Street and 18 minutes to Paddington.
Our new East London workspace is also just 8 minutes walk away from Westfield Shopping Centre. One of the largest urban shopping centres in Europe, the centre offers restaurants, bars, entertainment and – of course – shopping facilities. To date, Westfield has generated retail sales of more than £7.4 billion, so it’s safe to say there is clearly commercial value in Stratford.
Were you to choose Stratford for your office space, you would be joining the ranks of a number of global heavy-weight brand that have already set up bases in the area. For example, Transport for London, Cancer Research, the Financial Conduct Authority and Unicef all moved to Stratford in recent years.
Get in touch today!
If you are interested in learning more about what the space has to offer, and how we can help support the growth and productivity of your brand, don’t hesitate to contact us.