Tory MPs urge Boris Johnson to scrap work from home guidance next month March 29, 2021 Conservative MPs have called on Boris Johnson to lift work from home guidance next month to speed up an economic rebound. They argue that with more than half the adult population having received a Covid jab, those who want to return to the office should be allowed to do so. Clarity is yet to emerge [...]
Government to offer free home Covid tests for businesses in back to work push March 28, 2021 The government is set to offer businesses free home test kits for employees, in a bid to get staff back to the workplace after almost a year of home working. In a major expansion of the government’s workplace testing scheme, all businesses with more than 10 employees who cannot offer on-site testing will be eligible [...]
What to wear to the office part II: Summer fashion March 18, 2021 Last week we asked what we might be wearing after lockdown ends and we’re finally expected to return to the office. This week we spoke to designers, tailors and fashion brand founders about the clothes from their upcoming ranges they expect to see us wearing over the coming months, from statement pieces to sleek everyday [...]
BoE boss Bailey expects a permanent shift to ‘hybrid working’ March 15, 2021 Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey today said that he expects working from home to stay, with a ‘hybrid’ model of home and workplace set to become the norm. Bailey told BBC Radio 4 that he predicts a permanent change as habits and practices are proved to be sustainable. “I would be very surprised if [...]
Derwent London reports dip in rental income after ‘unprecedented’ year during pandemic March 11, 2021 Property firm Derwent London this morning reported a dip in net rental income for the year, as the vacancy rate for the London office market doubled during the pandemic. Gross rental income for the landlord hiked 5.8 per cent last year to £202.9m, up from £191.7m in the same period last year. However the impact [...]
Speedy vaccinations give more UK SMEs hope of a revenue rebound in 2021 February 19, 2021 Small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) across the UK have been offered a glimpse of hope this morning, as nearly a quarter have surpassed their pre-pandemic levels of output.
Office demand drops as Workspace reports 33 per cent fall in enquiries January 28, 2021 Workspace remains optimistic about the future of London’s office work despite a sharp drop in enquiries throughout the pandemic. This morning’s results show the group averaged 672 enquiries per month in the third quarter, a 33 per cent drop from the previous year. Lettings per month also fell by 3.4 per cent to 109, driven [...]
End of the office is overstated, says Brookfield boss January 19, 2021 The end of the office has been overegged according to a top asset manager, as he claims investors are underestimating the extent to which people will return to work. Speaking to the Financial Times, Bruce Flatt, chief executive of Brookfield Asset Management is hopeful that office workers will return to the office and shopping centres. [...]
London needs offices to thrive to secure its global future January 15, 2021 Are cities dead? There are plenty who think so – but Britain should hope they’re wrong. “The history book has not yet been written for cities” is the rallying cry emanating from Government. Those were Rishi Sunak’s words, echoing the Prime Minister’s faith when he spoke with FTSE 250 leaders last week that, post-pandemic, we [...]
An introvert’s confession: I really need the office January 15, 2021 I’m an introvert. When people first get to know me they find it ridiculous I tell them this. I apparently do a very convincing impression of someone who isn’t panicking, but the truth is socialising is a very difficult thing for me. When faced with social situations, my flight or fight reflex kicks in, and [...]