Flexible workspace providers in the county have seen a huge surge in enquiries as companies look to change the way they operate post-pandemic.

With the work-from-home guidance now relaxed, many employers are looking at maintaining remote working by securing shared office space or staff looking to find a workplace away from the distractions of home.

And that is leading them to providers of hot-desks or small dedicated office space.

Between February and June of this year, 20 workspace providers said they had received more than 1,100 enquiries looking for co-working space in the county.

And many say demand has been so great they are now operating waiting lists.

The figures come from research conducted by inward investment agency Locate in Kent and flexible workspace network, Kent Coworking Collective.

The county currently boasts more than 50 sites offering hot desks and flexible office space - with another 10 in the works.

Gavin Cleary, CEO at Locate in Kent, said: “As restrictions lift, and people go back to the office, we continue to see demand for flexible workspace in Kent.

“With the continued strong interest in more modern ways of working, there’s every indication that many of the trends we’ve seen during lockdown are here to stay in the mix.”

According to the survey results, most co-working facilities are operating at over 60% occupancy for hot desks and 80% for private offices as of June.

Gavin added: “The past year has not only seen people putting quality of life high on their agenda, seeing the time they get back from giving up the daily commute into London, but businesses are increasingly aware of the advantage of lower commercial property costs outside the capital.

“Kent, with its close proximity to London, is well placed to benefit from more hybrid working, with staff reducing their commuting days, and business owners opting for office space closer to where people are living in the county.

"The signs are there that we will continue to see that grow.”

Julia Olden, co-founder of Tunbridge Wells-based Office Tribe, said: “There's been a big upsurge in homeworkers looking for a space away from the home but also more commuters.

"As firms realise they no longer need a permanent London presence, employees have been told they are not required to come in five days a week but still want a dedicated workspace away from the home.

“Co-working bridges the gap between commuting into a London office and being stuck at the kitchen table."

Lucy Patridge, operations manager at The Coachworks in Ashford, added: “We are swamped with enquiries from businesses looking for space, and we are trying to accommodate as many of these as possible. It's great to see so much cohesion between tenants too, with joint projects starting and lots of 'water cooler' moments between them as the restrictions have lifted."

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