Flex operators eye expansion as demand picks up

Flexible office providers around the world are bullish about the market’s trajectory, with 80% planning to expand over the coming years. This trend is even more prominent in EMEA, where 91% of operators expect to expand by up to five locations by 2026, according to a survey of 180 global operators by flex platform the Instant Group. Those planning expansion pointed to increased provision of private offices and meeting rooms as a priority in response to rising demand, with most UK operators also focusing on improving the fit and finish of their workspaces. Occupier opinions included in the survey showed 70% chose to work in flex spaces because of the friendliness of the staff, while 42% pointed to brand awareness and 35% said they were attracted by their cost effectiveness. Almost half of all operators globally saw increased demand for sustainable buildings. Close to a third reported growing interest in recycling policies and a quarter said occupiers wanted to know whether their company would have access to renewable energy. Gavin Foreman, executive director of partnerships for the Instant Group in the UK, said: “There has been a shift in demand over the past year for more private offices and meeting rooms and this latest research shows there is an ever-increasing focus on the sustainability of the spaces people are working in. “Operators that make use of reliable market data and insight will be able to make smart investment decisions to meet evolving demand and in turn increase revenues.”