Hybrid working and the managed office market

The rise of the hybrid workforce: Before 2020, the concept of flexible work was often a perk. Now, it’s an expectation. A recent CIPD study found that 71% of UK employers plan to adopt hybrid working models permanently. The result? Businesses no longer need traditional leases with rigid square footage based on 1 desk per person. Instead, they’re seeking agility – and that’s where managed offices shine.

What is a Managed Office, exactly?

Managed offices offer a hybrid between traditional and serviced office spaces, combining the best of both worlds. The convenience and flexibility of serviced, with the privacy and sense of establishment of a traditional office.

Like serviced offices, they often come fully fitted and furnished, with all costs bundled into a single monthly bill. The costs are managed on your behalf, simplifying budgeting and administration. There will also be a degree of customisation.

Managed also retains the key advantages of traditional spaces: they are entirely self-contained and not shared with other tenants - giving you complete control, privacy and sense of establishment.

In the hybrid era, managed offices offer businesses the perfect blend of control, flexibility, and scalability.

5 ways hybrid working is changing the Managed Office landscape:

1. Less square footage, more quality

Some businesses are downsizing their footprint — but upgrading their experience. Instead of paying for, say, 100 desks, companies want 60 instead with more collaboration areas and hot desking to account for the busy days. Managed offices enable this shift by offering tailored layouts without long-term commitments.

2. Demand for shorter, more flexible terms

Hybrid work introduces more variables — headcount changes, team rotations, satellite offices. As a result, businesses need agreements that flex with them. Managed offices offer terms starting from as little as 12 months, reducing exposure and giving flexibility.

3. Focus on amenities and experience

With employees in the office fewer days per week, every visit needs to count. Tenants now expect spaces to include amenities such as:

• Wellness rooms or gyms
• High-speed internet and IT support
• Breakout areas, phone booths, and private pods
• Barista-style coffee and hospitality-driven service

It’s no longer just about space — it’s about experience per square foot.

4. Location matters more than ever

Hybrid teams crave easy access. Locations near major transport hubs or within vibrant neighbourhoods are in high demand. Managed office providers are expanding in these zones to meet the commuter-friendly brief.

5. Designing for collaboration — and focus

In a hybrid world, offices need to do more than just provide desks. They should support different types of work — from team meetings and creative sessions to focused tasks and client calls. That means moving away from rows of identical desks, and instead using flexible layouts, quiet zones, and rooms that can change depending on the day’s needs.

What this means for businesses

Hybrid working isn't a threat to the office — it’s a reinvention of its purpose. And managed offices are the agile solution many businesses didn’t know they needed.

Whether you’re a scale-up testing new markets, a corporate looking to decentralise, or a team seeking a dynamic HQ to attract top talent, managed space offers a ready-made solution with none of the hassle.

About us

At Spacepoint, we specialise in helping businesses navigate this changing landscape. We match companies with managed office spaces that tick every box: location, layout, budget, and flexibility — all while future-proofing your workplace strategy.
Let’s talk. Our team of office specialists will help you find your ideal hybrid-ready home.

https://www.cipd.org | https://www.jll.co.uk | https://www.cbre.co.uk | https://www.bco.org.uk |  https://www.theofficegroup.com | https://www.huckletree.com | https://www.wework.com/en-GB