Post lockdown demand for flexible workspace still strong at Wizu

Flexible workspace provider Wizu Workspace has reported a growing demand for office space as businesses begin to emerge from lockdown.

The Yorkshire-based firm which has workspaces in five locations across the North, claims it has seen an increase in existing and new members wishing to enter flexible contracts in a bid to accommodate newly adopted blended working policies.

Natasha Babar Evans, COO at Wizu Workspace said: “Many businesses are reviewing their real estate strategies as a result of the pandemic. One of the most important observations we have made is that our members and prospective members want even more flexibility.”

“We take an ultra-flexible approach to the way we run our business and so this suits us. We have talked to people who are wanting to leave their long-term restrictive contracts and enter a shorter-term flexible arrangement which allows their workforce the freedom to come to the office and also, work from home.”

Since the government eased lockdown restrictions in early June, 60% of existing Wizu members have returned to their sites with a further four companies moving into serviced offices in Sheffield in the last month.

The latest firm to join the Sheffield workspace 32 Eyre Street is SQS, a team of quantity surveyors who specialise in primarily construction and engineering dispute resolution representing all facets of the industry ranging from small subcontractors to large multinational developers and contractors.

Jason Sharp, CEO at SQS said: “We looked to move to ensure that we had a more central location that was professional and set the right tone for our business personality. 32 Eyre Street hit the brief in terms of cost, location and quality.”

“Philippa and the team have been great and very welcoming. Despite the current situation I already feel at home here which is great.”

Throughout the pandemic, Wizu Workspace kept their serviced offices open to accommodate care workers, IT companies, and accountants who needed the office to space to be able to continue supporting their clients.

Natasha added: “We were really keen to ensure that our members felt safe when the government eased the lockdown restrictions and we introduced a really robust COVID 19 return to work programme outlining all the changes we have made to our workspace to keep our members safe.

“The health and well-being of our team and members is our top priority and so we implemented this framework as quickly as possible with the help of the Wizu team who have begun returning to work.”