The new daily grind: 1 in 4 works from coffee shop
Office space costs mean cramped staff now working regularly from coffee shops. BT Openzone to provide Wi-Fi in over 330 Caffè Nero stores nationwide.
Soaring UK office space costs are forcing one in four workers (26%) to escape their crowded offices to work in coffee shops each week – giving the daily grind a whole new meaning - according to research commissioned by BT out today(1).
The news comes as BT Openzone goes live in more than 330 Caffè Nero stores nationwide, making Wi-Fi available across the high street chain.
The deal is good news for business people frustrated with the daily mission to find empty meeting rooms or a quiet office corner. UK office space can now cost nearly £1,700 per sq metre and London is the world’s most expensive place to rent or buy with office rents increasing by around 30% in the last year(2). Today’s figures show that 26% of employees work from a coffee shop at least once a week, with a lack of office space the main reason for nearly 1 in 5 (18%).
Increasing the amount of available work space is seen as a key advantage for office workers with the top benefits being the ability to avoid interruptions (24%) and having more space to work and meet (18%). In a sign that business is becoming increasingly mobile, nearly half of respondents (47%) had worked in a coffee shop because they were travelling. A similar number (44%) said coffee shop working provided a more informal business setting.
Alongside relieving the stress of space shortage, coffee shop working is seen as a chance to get away from the in-house vending machine and grab a better quality coffee (16%). One in ten (11%) workers also use these alternative meeting places as an opportunity to keep costs low by having an office extension close at hand.
Jonathan Hart, managing director, Caffè Nero, said: “This research confirms a trend we see everyday as more office staff come into our stores to work. To make Caffé Nero even more ‘work friendly’ we have partnered with BT Openzone to offer Wi-Fi in all our stores.”
Chris Bruce, general manager, BT Openzone, said: “As costs for space increase, there’s a clear trend for business people to leave cramped offices to hunt out a quiet coffee shop corner to work and hold meetings. As more customers bring along Wi-Fi-enabled devices, we aim to provide broadband connectivity wherever they are, making work something you do, not somewhere you go.”
The high profile coffee brand is a valuable addition to BT’s premium hotspot estate where Wi-Fi in the hospitality sector is in huge demand. The Caffè Nero stores boost the network of over 2,500 hotspots at premium locations including airports, railway stations, hotel chains and marinas, providing BT Openzone, BT FON, BT Office Anywhere and BT Fusion customers or casual users, with a comfortable location to log in without wires.
For further information
Inquiries about this news release should be made to the BT Group Newsroom on its 24-hour number: 020 7356 5369. From outside the UK dial + 44 20 7356 5369. All news releases can be accessed at our web site: www.btplc.com/News
1) All research taken from the BT Business Panel conducted by ICM Research. The survey goes out to 1000 business people.
2) Figures taken from the 2008 Cushman and Wakefield office costs survey
About BT
BT is one of the world's leading providers of communications solutions and services operating in 170 countries. Its principal activities include the provision of local, national and international telecommunications services to our customers for use at home, at work and on the move; higher-value broadband and internet products and services and converged fixed/mobile products and services. BT consists principally of four lines of business: BT Global Services, Openreach, BT Retail and BT Wholesale.
In the year ended 31 March 2007, BT Group plc's revenue was £20,223 million with profit before taxation of £2,484 million.
British Telecommunications plc (BT) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BT Group and encompasses virtually all businesses and assets of the BT Group. BT Group plc is listed on stock exchanges in London and New York.
For more information, visit www.bt.com/aboutbt. For information about BT Openzone visit, www.btopenzone.com