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January 20, 2026
Joe Averill
7 minutes
A coworking space is a shared work environment where freelancers, remote workers, startups, and small businesses work alongside each other in a professionally managed, community-focused setting. Rather than working alone at home or committing to a traditional office lease, you pay for membership and access a space designed for productivity, networking, and collaboration.
What makes coworking unique isn't just the shared desks—it's the deliberate creation of community. Unlike serviced offices that prioritise professional facilities, coworking spaces emphasise connection: networking events, skill-sharing workshops, social activities, and a culture where asking for help or offering expertise is encouraged.
The concept began in 2005 when Brad Neuberg opened the first official coworking space in San Francisco, seeking to combine the freedom of independent work with the community feel of working with others. The UK's first coworking space, The Hub, opened the same year in Islington, London. Twenty years later, there are nearly 4,000 coworking spaces across the UK, and the global market is projected to reach £27.6 billion in 2025.
This guide covers how coworking works, membership types, costs, and how to choose the right space. It's part of our complete guide to types of office space .
A coworking space is a membership-based workspace where professionals from different companies and industries work together in a shared, professionally managed environment.
Key characteristics:
The defining feature is community. Coworking spaces attract people who value interaction, networking, and the energy of working alongside others—even if they're not on the same team.
You purchase a membership tier that determines your access level:
Higher tiers cost more but offer greater consistency, storage, and privacy.
Most coworking spaces operate during business hours (8am-6pm), though many offer 24/7 access for dedicated desk and private office members. Hot deskers typically work first-come, first-served, while some spaces use booking apps to reserve desks in advance.
Standard coworking membership includes:
This is where coworking differs from serviced offices. Expect:
Research shows 87% of coworking members meet others for social reasons—community isn't marketing fluff; it's the core product.
The most flexible and affordable option. You use any available desk on a first-come, first-served basis—different desk each day, potentially.
Best for: Freelancers, remote workers, people who value variety Cost: £150-300/month (London), £100-200/month (regional)
Learn more about hot desking .
Your own assigned desk in the open workspace. You can leave personal items, set up your preferred equipment, and have the same spot daily.
Best for: People wanting consistency without private office costs Cost: £250-450/month (London), £180-350/month (regional)
Enclosed, lockable space for individuals or teams within the coworking environment. You get privacy while still accessing community amenities and events.
Best for: Small teams, client-facing work, confidential conversations Cost: £400-800+/desk/month (London), £300-550/desk/month (regional)
Compare with standalone private offices .
For occasional use:
Best for: Hybrid workers, people testing coworking before committing
Serviced offices prioritise professional image; coworking prioritises connection.
See serviced office comparison .
Shared offices are peer-to-peer arrangements where businesses sublet spare space to each other. Coworking spaces are professionally managed environments with dedicated staff, events programming, and standardised amenities.
Coworking trades long-term cost efficiency for flexibility and community.
Always confirm what's included before signing up—"all-inclusive" varies significantly between providers.
Freelancers and consultants – Combat isolation, gain professional environment, network for clients
Remote workers – Escape home distractions, separate work and personal life
Startups (pre-team building) – Professional base without lease commitment, networking for hires and partners
Digital nomads – Consistent workspace while travelling, global access with some providers
Small business owners – Affordable professional space, flexibility to scale
Side hustlers – Productive environment outside day job
Creative professionals – Inspiring environment, collaboration opportunities
Corporate remote workers – Companies providing coworking memberships instead of office space
UK median hot desk: £180/month. UK median day pass: £25.
Regional cities typically offer 30-40% savings compared to London.
Community and networking – Built-in opportunities to meet clients, collaborators, and friends. Research shows coworking members report higher satisfaction and lower isolation than home workers.
Flexibility – Scale from day pass to private office as needs change. No long-term commitment.
Professional environment – Escape home distractions. Fast WiFi, meeting rooms, proper desk setup.
Events and learning – Workshops, talks, and skill-shares included in membership.
Prime locations – Access prestigious addresses you couldn't otherwise afford.
All-inclusive pricing – Utilities, cleaning, WiFi, kitchen—one predictable monthly fee.
Work-life separation – Physical boundary between work and home improves wellbeing.
Accountability – Working alongside motivated professionals boosts your own productivity.
Noise and distractions – Open environments can be loud. Focus requires discipline or retreating to quiet zones.
Lack of privacy – Sensitive conversations difficult. Not ideal for confidential client work.
Inconsistent desk availability – Hot desks may be full on busy days.
Limited storage – Personal items go in lockers, not sprawling desk setups.
Variable member quality – You can't control who else joins the space.
May not suit all industries – Finance, law, and healthcare may need more privacy and security.
Less professional than serviced offices – Casual atmosphere may not impress traditional clients.
The best coworking spaces cultivate intentional culture:
Not every space has strong culture. Visit before joining to assess the vibe.
WeWork – The global giant with 50+ London locations. Premium spaces, strong amenities, higher prices (hot desks from £200-550/month).
Spaces (IWG) – Design-focused coworking from the Regus parent company. More creative, less corporate than traditional Regus.
Huckletree – Startup-focused with strong community programming. London and Manchester locations. Hot desks from £175/month.
The Office Group (TOG/Fora) – Premium, design-led spaces in iconic London buildings. Hot desks from £375/month.
Second Home – Beautiful, plant-filled spaces with strong creative community. London and Lisbon.
Impact Hub – Mission-driven spaces focused on social innovation. Strong community values.
Regus – The largest global provider. Basic, professional spaces. Extensive UK network including smaller towns.
Location and commute – Will you actually go if it's inconvenient? Proximity matters.
Community and culture fit – Visit during busy hours. Do the members seem like your people?
Noise levels – Can you focus? Are there quiet zones and phone booths?
Amenities offered – Meeting rooms, printing, kitchen—check what's included vs extra.
Opening hours – Do you need evenings/weekends? Check access for your membership tier.
Contract flexibility – Can you upgrade/downgrade easily? What's the notice period?
Price and value – Cheapest isn't always best. Consider what's included and community quality.
Trial before committing – Most spaces offer tours and day passes. Use them.
What's the difference between coworking and a serviced office? Coworking emphasises community, networking, and flexible membership tiers. Serviced offices prioritise professional facilities and private space with less community focus.
Can I bring clients to a coworking space? Yes, most spaces have meeting rooms you can book. However, the casual atmosphere may not suit all client types—assess whether the environment projects the right image.
Are coworking spaces professional enough? Depends on the space and your industry. Premium providers like WeWork and TOG offer professional environments. Startup-focused spaces may feel too casual for traditional industries.
What if it's too noisy to work? Look for spaces with dedicated quiet zones, phone booths, and bookable focus rooms. Some coworking spaces are noisier than others—trial before joining.
Can I get a business address from a coworking space? Yes, most offer mail handling and business address services, either included or as an add-on (typically £20-50/month extra).
How do coworking memberships compare to working from home? Coworking costs £150-400/month but provides professional environment, networking, work-life separation, and accountability. Home working is free but can be isolating and full of distractions.
Coworking spaces offer the flexibility of independent work with the community and amenities of a professional office—ideal for freelancers, remote workers, startups, and anyone who values connection alongside productivity.
At £150-400/month for hot desks, coworking costs more than working from home but far less than traditional offices. The real value is community: networking opportunities, events, and the energy of working alongside motivated professionals.
The trade-offs are real: noise, limited privacy, and variable culture. If you need confidential space or corporate professionalism, a serviced office or private office may suit better.
Before committing, visit multiple spaces, try day passes, and assess whether the community feels right. The best coworking space isn't the cheapest or most famous—it's the one where you'll actually want to show up.
Explore all workspace options in our complete guide to types of office space .
Last updated: January 2026
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