Affordable Hot Desking (instead of office lease contracts)
Patch is just one of a growing number of companies in England and beyond, which are redrawing the lines of how to ‘work in the office’. Of course you can work from home. But if you run your own little business (and either prefer to work in an office or just need facilities one or two days a week), it’s a great solution to avoid lengthy lease contracts and sky-high rents.
As you’re sharing offices with others, avoid displaying indoor plants, as many are toxic to visiting dogs of colleagues.
In the old days, if you rented a small office, it likely meant signing up with a letting agent and signing a contract for at least 6 months, often at sky-high rents, with bills on top. You then would also have to buy a desk, computer, fax machine, telephones etc etc.
These new companies work very differently. You basically pay to use the office when you want it. For example, Patch has four hot desking solutions:
Resident (just over £300 a month) which includes your own desk and ergonomic chair and lockable pedestal, ideal for solo workers or small teams that each take turns to visit the office. But for just £99 a month, you can go for the Association option, letting you use the office four days a month (32 hours), or even by the hour, if you prefer.
The idea is that you can do most of your work at home, but then pop in the office should you need to use a printer or fax machine, or use one of the meeting rooms to network with others.
These offices are not some draughty one-room above a shop. They are usually beautiful buildings that have been fully refurbished, with all bills included. Patch includes:
- A friendly supportive team
- Bean-to-cup proper coffee!
- Cycle parking and on-site showers
- Meeting rooms and hi-speed wi-fi
- Focus booths to private calls
- Lounges and social events
- Free printing
- 7-day access and member discounts
- Dog-friendly!
Obviously just one company (Patch is in just a few towns and cities at present) can’t cover everyone. But your town or city likely has something similar, so check out what’s available.
The other advantage is because your costs are far lower and your working space is much nicer (especially if you only have to travel from home one or two days a week), you have a better life/work balance. And also don’t need to earn as much, as you are not spending all your money on rent and bills.
Patch also specialises in refurbishing old derelict buildings, which brings them into use and creates a more community-focused lively neighbourhood, to avoid them going into disrepair. So better for landlords too.
Taking This Country-Wide!
Can you imagine if hot-desking took off nationwide? It would save likely billions in high rents, that workers could use instead to invest in their companies – or even work less, and have more of a life, as they won’t need to earn as much to keep their financial heads above water.
Comparing £300 or so for a personal office at Patch, we looked up commercial office space (for one or two people) in one of the cities it works in. The cheapest option (after serviced offices) was £500 to £1000 per month (bills included, but basically ugly empty spaces that need furnishing and office equipment).
Rent Hotel Office Suites (by the hour) in London
London’s AndCo saves even more money, as you can rent offices (or even hotel suites) for low set fees (monthly or annually) to save a fortune on London’s astronomical property letting prices.
