Are Coworking Spaces Worth It? Your Complete Guide

Nowadays, coworking spaces have become one of the most desirable workspace solutions, as traditional offices are no longer the only place where everyday workers thrive.

Coworking spaces offer a flexible, collaborative environment that cater to a variety of professionals, from freelancers and small startups to digital nomads, and over the last couple of years, occupancy levels of coworking spaces and other flexible spaces reached record high levels of 83%, showing just how popular these spaces really are.

Still, while they’re clearly surging in popularity, whether they’re actually worth it for you will depend on a number of factors, like your own needs and goals.

For example, if you want to be surrounded by likeminded professionals in a space where you don’t want the commitment of a long-term lease, coworking is probably the best option for you. That said, if you want full total control over your working area, perhaps it would be best looking at getting your own office space. 

In this guide, we’ll break down the pros and cons of coworking spaces, explore who they’re most suited for and help you determine whether they’re worth the change or not.

Lets get into it…

Why Coworking Spaces are Worth It

There are many many reasons why coworking spaces are surging in popularity across the UK, the most common reasons being:

1. Community Support and Networking Opportunities

One of the biggest challenges faced by business owners is increased levels of loneliness and social isolation, especially if you’re a new entrepreneur with little to no staff. This is also the case for workers who work remotely. 

But one of the great benefits of working from a coworking space is that they naturally bring people together in a shared office where they can work beside and network with like-minded people. 

Being surrounded by hard-working individuals will naturally create a strong sense of community, and will allow you to connect on both a personal and professional level.

We truly believe that some of the best collaborations are born in coworking spaces, creating opportunities for new businesses, clients or collaborations.

2. Flexibility

Another significant reason why so many people are drawn towards coworking spaces is the flexibility they offer.

Due to their flexible working conditions, they’re absolutely ideal for those who don’t want to be restricted by long-term rental leases or fixed office hours, as they would in a traditional office setting.

Some coworking spaces will even have multi-city - or multi-country - memberships. At Tramshed Tech, for example, we offer a range of serviced offices across Wales that can be tailored to suit your needs. Whether it be from Cardiff, Newport, Barry or Swansea, our network of workspaces across South Wales supports businesses of every kind. 

We also offer a range of different membership plans, so you have full control of what terms you commit to. For example, we offer day passes, part time, full time or unlimited memberships. We even offer virtual memberships. Learn more about how virtual office spaces work, here.

Get in touch with our friendly team today on 02920103090 to find out more about our locations and memberships. 

3. Complimentary Amenities and Shared Resources

Another benefit is that most coworking offices will offer complimentary amenities and shared resources if you work from their space. This eliminates the need for individual freelancers or companies to invest in these resources they would’ve otherwise needed in a traditional office, which, of course, is great as this massively reduces overhead costs.

At Tramshed Tech in Cardiff, our coworking memberships provide members with access to a range of amenities and resources, include:

• Desk Space
• Ultrafast WiFi
• Tea & Coffee from an In-House Barista
• Community Events
• Bookable Meeting Rooms and Conference Suites
• Printing Facilities

These are great perks that coworking spaces offer are very unlikely available when working from home or a café.

4. It Provides a Separation From Home and Work Life

Many people who work from home struggle setting boundaries between work and home life. A coworking space, however, can provide a clear line between your personal and professional life, helping you focus more effectively.

Coworking spaces are in fact known for boosting the productivity levels of workers, regardless of the industry they work in. A survey by Deskmag’s Global Coworking found that 71% of coworking members felt more creative in their coworking space and 68% said they were able to focus better.

If you’re tired of working in isolation or uninspiring environments, now is the perfect time to make that switch. Coworking spaces like Tramshed Tech offer more than just a desk - they provide a community, resources, and the tools to help you succeed. 

Potential Drawbacks of Working at a Coworking Space

While it’s very clear that coworking spaces offer a wide range of benefits for many people, it’s important to also understand the potential drawbacks or cons of working at this type of space, so you can determine whether they’re right for you. 

1. Ongoing Cost

The first drawback, as with any office space, is the ongoing membership cost.

Depending on the location and level of membership, some coworking spaces can sometimes be pricey. That said, with price usually comes quality, offering premium amenities like high-speed internet, modern workstations, private meeting rooms, networking events, and even perks like free coffee, wellness programs, and 24/7 access - all designed to enhance your productivity and work experience.

When thinking about costs, it’s clear why working from your kitchen table or coffee shop is often utilised by entrepreneurs and freelancers - it’s the cheaper option!

That said, this type of working environment can come with its pitfalls…

The main being that operating from home or coffee shops presents a lack of credibility as a business. Companies established in a reputable location are also favoured by clients and it also mitigates privacy concerns as you don’t need to use your own address.

If you’re on a tight budget, we highly recommend using a virtual office, which provides you with a professional registered address, mail collection and your very own virtual receptionist, if that’s what you require.

Learn more about our virtual offices at Tramshed Tech.

2. Potential Distractions

Another potential con of using a coworking space is that you’re exposed to distractions.

This is only natural in open-planned office spaces, which are prone to noise and chit-chats.

If you’re still really interested in using a coworking space, the best way to tackle this is to select a coworking space with private phone booths and one that follows a culture of being respectful of your neighbours (like Tramshed Tech, just saying!). 

3. Lack of Customisation Over Your Own Workspace

Although coworking spaces are tailored to meet your needs, you’ll have less control and customisation over your workspace than you would have in your own traditional office.

By this we mean, you can’t showcase your branding, logos, and marketing materials in the office space, which might be slightly frustrating for those who may need to occasionally host clients and other visitors.

That said, you can easily work around this by selecting a coworking space like Tramshed Tech, who also offer individual office spaces, where you can have full control over how your office space looks.

To Conclude

There we have it! It’s clear that coworking spaces aren’t a one-size-fits-all solution, but they offer a fantastic blend of flexibility, community, and professional amenities that can be a game-changer for many entrepreneurs or small businesses. Ultimately, whether they’re worth it all comes down to your personal work style, budget, and what you value most in a workspace. 

We are Tramshed Tech: a startup ecosystem home to 50+ companies ranging from pre-revenue start-ups to scaling businesses with 600+ registered members from the digital, creative and tech communities. 

We’re currently based in Grangetown, Cardiff Central & Newport, Barry and Swansea. If you’re interested in joining us at any of our locations, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.