Shake-up for London’s busiest flex office markets

Shifting working practices have shaken up the busiest London sub-markets for flexible offices. Flex office platform Free Office Finder analysed more than 50,000 enquiries over the past five years and found that the five busiest areas are now significantly different to where they stood in 2019. Markets to experience a particularly sharp drop in flex enquiries include Canary Wharf, Free Office Finder said, where activity is down by 60% since the period before the pandemic. Liverpool Street has fallen out of the top five, with a 62% drop in enquiries. Notable rises include a 110% increase in Battersea as the power station regeneration has completed, a 70% rise in Mayfair and a 48% lift in Farringdon, most likely due to the opening of the Elizabeth Line. Nick Riesel, chief executive of Free Office Finder, said: “Traditional stalwart office locations are becoming less popular, in favour of areas that are more likely to fit with lifestyles and work/life blend… Out of London enquiries are up by 15%, suggesting that the trend to work closer to home and amenities is continuing.” Top five flex office locations, 2019: Liverpool Street Victoria London Bridge Waterloo Mayfair Top five flex office locations, past 12 months Mayfair London Bridge Soho Victoria Marylebone Photo © Headway/Unsplash