Working Closer to Home: Are Town Centres the New City Centres?

Working Closer to Home: Are Town Centres the New City Centres?

Remote and hybrid working models have been embraced by many in the professional world, but now there is a new trend on the horizon - 'working near home'. It's no wonder this approach is quickly gaining traction; commuting costs are rising, while long hours at home can be isolating. But what exactly does it mean to work close to home? Read on as we unpack all you need to know about this emerging trend.

 Working Closer to Home: Are Town Centres the New City Centres?

Remote working doesn't always mean working from home

For remote workers struggling to find a good work-life balance, working near home can provide an ideal solution. Local coworking spaces have been popping up across Cheshire and Greater Manchester, which offer the perfect option for those who do not wish to commute into the city centre. 

One such space is our very own Foundation, in Altrincham’s Stamford Quarter - opening Summer 2023! This reimagined space will provide market leading workspace right in the heart of Altrincham Town Centre. With traditional leased offices and coworking PAYG options, Foundation will offer something for both large businesses and those just wishing to escape the kitchen table on a flexible basis.

Advantages of working closer to home

With traffic jams, full commuter trains and unexpected delays occurring daily, it's no wonder that commuting has become an unpleasant experience. But beyond this inconvenience lies more serious implications - clinical psychologist Cara Manly asserts that regular commutes filled with external stressors can provoke our fight-or-flight response in both the short term AND long term. This could lead to negative feelings such as depression, anxiety, burnout or even impaired sleep quality which takes a toll on mental health over time.

As well as avoiding a stressful commute, there are many other plus-points to working closer to home: 

  • Doing your bit for the environment; avoiding a lengthy commute can help to reduce your carbon footprint
  • Making time for yourself; losing that twice daily commute could mean you have extra time to commit to personal hobbies or goals
  • Cost Savings; train tickets and petrol costs can really add up, having a commute that is walkable could really save you money
  • Local connections, working closer to home could enhance your local network and opportunities

 

From minimising stress, to getting a bit of time back for yourself, the advantages of working near home could have a huge impact on your wellbeing. 

At Bruntwood, we have something for everyone - no matter what kind of working environment you’re after. Whether you’re looking for a flexible Pay As You Go option, or a more permanent arrangement for your growing business.