FOCUS STORAGE
STRATEGICSTORAGE
With many companies likely to need to still access important items, even as they downsize their
oƝ ces or clear space for collaborative areas, 5achel Houghton, Managing Director at Business
Moves Group off ers advice on accessible storage options for oƝ ce furniture and eTuipment
At this stage it has become fairly clear that COVID-19 is set to leave a
lasting impact on the commercial real estate market. It’s easy to recall
what routine life looked like for many prior to the pandemic. Adhering to
strict working hours was the norm, where the o ice stood as the central
hub of all productivity. Employees would arrive, work at their desk, and
leave again more or less within the hours of 9am and 5pm.
Today, however, things look a little diŽ erent.
THE FUTURE OF THE OFFICE
While remote and hybrid working models were in the vast majority of instances
born out of necessity as a result of national lockdowns, social distancing,
health concerns and general uncertainty, today they appear to be normalising,
40 DECEMBER/JANUARY 2022
with businesses having recognised the benefits for both employer and
employee.
Indeed, according to a report from the Institute of Directors released at
the end of April 2021, as many as 63 per cent of business leaders outlined
intentions to adopt hybrid working models a— er the restrictions in place in the
UK at the time had eased. Further, around one in 10 firms revealed that they
would be looking to work from home permanently.
A survey of London oŽ ice workers also showed that employees wanted to
spend an average of 2.7 days back in the oŽ ice once all COVID-19 restrictions
have been li— ed – down from the 4.2 days a week that was typical prior to the
pandemic.
Such a stark shi— has inevitably had a significant eŽ ect on the commercial
real estate industry.