In between working from home and having your own office sits the managed office space. Here you have a business address, receptionist, professional premises and no overheads other than your membership fee, but does the managed office provide enough to bridge the gap?

Every town now seems to have a coworking space or a managed office block, but it seems that some just don’t cut it when it comes to providing the right environment to keep their members happy.

According to Savills, the sole traders and owners of small businesses who use the shared spaces are looking for a true sense of community; ‘The provision of amenities, and increasingly the level of service that goes with a managed property, is more prevalent than ever before.

One of the biggest changes is a much more customer-focussed approach in terms of improved communication, engagement, fostering community, curating unique enjoyable experiences, and providing the healthy/sustainable environments in which to deliver them.’ Savills blog

How can you provide a sense of community in your managed office space?

Following an increased focus on physical and mental wellbeing in recent years there has been an increase in the number of managed spaces that offer services and consideration for just that.

In our town we have the Witney Business & Innovation Centre which plays to host to a company that has a unique management style, ‘Our company culture is unique. For example, any of the team are free to take a nap if they feel tired, and on a Friday, as long as client work is complete, they can do what they like. I’m fine with that. I’m striving to create a fun office environment and am appreciative of the flexible support provided by the team at Witney BIC to make that happen.’ Witney BIC case study

Not all office spaces can offer sleep pods and gyms though, so the simplest way to provide a greater sense of wellbeing through fostering a community spirit is to bring people together:

  • Do you provide a shared space for inter-building networking and socialising?
  • Are kitchen spaces laid out so as to encourage relaxation in a community space?
  • Is there a break-out room providing comfortable seating and even a television for people to gather round?
  • Are the functional spaces such as stairways corridors and toilets made more homely with well-chosen lighting, flooring and wall coverings/décor?

These are some physical things a building manager can do to make people feel more comfortable and therefore open to meeting and conversing with their neighbours. There’re many varied activities and initiatives the management can encourage members to join in with as well.

We hope this article has made you think about how you can refurbish, refit or simply decorate your commercial space to build a stronger community. If you’d like some advice on helping to bring your vision to reality, do get in touch.