West End to welcome new flexible work space

LAURA MCGUIRE

A NEW 45,000 sq ft flexible work space site is set to open in the heart of the West End in a signal that London’s hybrid work trend is showing no signs of cooling.

Runway East already has five spaces across London, including sites in Borough Market and Shoreditch – and will open a new one thanks in part to the opening of the Elizabeth Line. Its latest site will be opened in Holborn at 24-28 Bloomsbury Way, signing a joint venture partnership agreement with the current leaseholder communications giant

WPP and landlord Abrdn.

It is understood that WPP is leasing the space due to less workers commuting into the office on a full time basis.

Prices for a private office in one of its London spaces can start from £540 per month, with added VAT.

The venue will offer space for teams of four to 100, as well as a 120-person event space, a break out space and over 40 meeting rooms, phone booths and a boardroom for up to 20 people.

Natasha Guerra, chief executive of Runway East, said the opening reflected the changes in working patterns and cited the opening of the Elizabeth Line as reason for the new West End location.

“The opening of the Elizabeth Line has only made it more accessible – with over 45 per cent of working age Londoners able to commute there within 45 minutes – making it one of the easiest places to commute to,” Guerra said.

“There has been a fundamental shift in how we use space, and our deal is responsive to that change as businesses consolidate the space they need, and collaborate with businesses like ours to create indemand offices for smaller businesses,” she continued.