Coworking spaces keep changing and so do the members who work in them.

Once predominantly dominated by entrepreneurs, freelancers and digital nomads, these shared office spaces are now catering to professionals from all walks of life.

So who uses coworking spaces and why?

Here we share some insights into trends we’ve noticed in Southampton and beyond, and expect to continue.

New Businesses

Start-up businesses benefit greatly from coworking spaces as they give new companies the ability to scale up and down whilst avoiding the costs associated with fixed or serviced offices. As well as this, many coworking spaces provide additional support which can be invaluable in the early stages of business. Plus, the networking aspects of a shared office can help to build a strong network of contacts to help boost their business.

Discover why coworking is perfect for start-ups

Small Businesses

Businesses of all shapes and sizes can benefit from using coworking spaces, but small businesses in particular enjoy the perks of sharing office space. Firstly, it provides them with all the perks of a great office environment without any of the overheads involved in running their own office or the restrictions of serviced offices. As well as this, the collaborative atmosphere breeds creativity and productivity and the chance to make those all-important contacts when building a business.

Freelancers

Many freelancers go it alone so that they can work from home, set their own hours and be their own boss. But, whilst working from home has many advantages, it can be uninspiring, lonely and logistically difficult too. That’s why many freelancers have turned to coworking spaces to access a professional work environment whilst maintaining the flexibility they’re used to at home. They can also benefit from networking with like-minded individuals, sharing ideas and even potentially winning new business.

Remote workers

2020 has seen remote work become a feature in almost everyone’s lives, in one way or another. But some remote workers struggle to work productively from home and miss the social aspect of being in an office. In these instances, coworking spaces provide the facilities and setting to complete their work around likeminded professionals. They offer the opportunity to meet new people, exchange ideas and create synergies.

Commuters

Commuting long distances has always been an issue that workers have had to contend with, but a rise in remote working has shown that it is possible to carry out your daily work outside the office. That being said, a professional office environment still carries a lot of benefits, and coworking gives workers a way to enjoy these benefits while still drastically reducing their commute.

Meetings

Despite huge advances in video conferencing technology, there are times when nothing beats a face to face meeting. And with many businesses starting to move away from traditional office space to operate remotely, formal meeting space will still be required for training, interviews and team updates, for instance. Coworking spaces like SO Fourteen mean that anyone can access professional meeting space near them, as and when they need it.

Who uses our coworking space?

SO Fourteen is home to business people of all guises, from graphic designers and software developers to content marketers and charities.

To find out more about some of the people who use our coworking space and read why they chose SO Fourteen visit our community page.

Join our community

Whether you’re looking for a place to make contacts and meet like-minded individuals or an inspiring place to be your best, SO Fourteen can provide your perfect workplace solution. Don’t hesitate to book a tour and see what the space has to offer.

Book a tour today