Facilitating productive co-working spaces with flame

Britain’s gig economy has more than doubled in size over the past three years, with as many as one in ten working-age adults working on gig economy platforms, according to a study from the University of Hertfordshire. While much of this growth is down to large names such as Uber and Deliveroo, employees working in this space are not all taxi and delivery drivers —  they need an office to work from.

In fact, many are freelancers and contractors; highly skilled workers who are attracted by the flexibility and digital-nomad lifestyle of this free market system. And the benefits don’t just extend to employees — it also gives start-up businesses a means to hire talent that they would otherwise not be able to afford.

The growing gig economy

This trend is likely to keep growing, with some predicting that more than 50% of the US workforce will participate in the gig economy by 2027. If this is the case, then many employers are not going to be interested in renting a large office block. But, equally, they might not want to run their business from home.

The same is true for freelancers. This is where coworking spaces become very attractive, demonstrated by the fact that outside the US, the number of flexible workspaces grew by over 80% from 2010 to 2017.

With this rise in the number of coworking spaces, comes increased competition between them. The freelancers and small businesses that use them are looking for modern, creative and appealing office environments. But how can landlords ensure they’re providing the right kinds of spaces to lure users in?

Cool coworking spaces

Some of the coolest coworking spaces in London offer more than just free meeting rooms and coffee. They offer sustainable collaborative spaces with design elements which foster productivity and inspire creativity. Flame technology gives landlords another aesthetic aspect to enhance these spaces, beyond funky wallpaper and modern furniture.

The benefits of a flame installation are many. Not only can they add calm and luxuriousness to a space, but modern flame technology can also be used to add a dramatic element to an office. They can even be used as ‘room dividers’ to create more intimate and cosy areas.

But how can landlords achieve this given the prevailing attitudes towards pollution and improving air quality, especially in London, with the changing legislation around the use of open flames in commercial spaces?

Electric flame technology provides all the aesthetic benefits of an open fire without sustainability concerns or worries around safety, cost-efficiency and maintenance. And it is safe, cool to the touch and 100% energy efficient at the point of use. Modern installations mimic real flame so effectively that they are frequently believed to be ‘real fires’.

If you are seeking to add something different to your coworking spaces and exceed your client expectations, then electric flame technology could be what you are looking for.