Home-working set to be ‘new normal’ amid crisis
A STOKE-ON-TRENT business centre has reported a surge in inquiries from companies wishing to relocate out of the city centre as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Businesslodge Stoke says it has seen an increase in businesses wanting to move out of their traditional office settings in favour of a more flexible working environment amid the crisis.
It comes as more and more businesses are choosing to adopt home-working as their ‘new normal.’
Kate Holt, managing director at Fenton-based Businesslodge, said: “In the early days of the coronavirus crisis, we saw a surge in budding entrepreneurs setting up their own businesses and taking advantage of our virtual office facilities. “More recently, we’ve had lots of interest from larger businesses who are based in city centres and are now looking to relocate closer to home, in centres like Businesslodge.
“Times are uncertain, there is no doubt about that.
“Yet many businesses based in the city centre who are considering a move have their hands tied.
“This can be particularly difficult for organisations who have been forced to downsize “their workforce over recent months.”
She added: “There’s no dispute that the world of work has changed beyond recognition over the past few months. Many businesses have suffered while others have thrived, and we are experiencing uncertainty like never before.
“At Businesslodge, it’s at our very core to #lovewhereyouwork and as the current crisis unfold, we’re also finding that more and more businesses are choosing to ‘love local’ – which is great news for Stoke-on-trent and the local economy.”