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Flexible offices become core infrastructure

Flexible offices become core infrastructure

Flexible workspace demand is now rising beyond London, Orega argues. As it approaches 25 years in business, the operator says regional economies and mature hybrid-working strategies are driving demand for premium office space with shorter commitments.

Orega is using its approaching 25th anniversary to make a broader point about the office market: premium flexible workspace is no longer a perk for occupiers, but increasingly a core part of how businesses operate.

Founded in 2001, Orega now operates 25 centres across the UK. The company said the past two and a half years have brought eight new premium centres, a strengthened leadership team, and fresh momentum for its management agreement model with landlords. It is now targeting 45 locations within five years, with a focus on London, the UK’s major regional cities, and other locations where demand for high-quality flexible space is rising.

Bristol sits at the centre of that argument. The West of England Combined Authority describes the regional economy as worth more than £54bn and growing faster than the national average. Orega said that strength is translating into sustained demand from professional services, technology, and financial businesses looking for shorter commitments without sacrificing location, quality, or brand fit.

Alan Pepper, chief executive of Orega, said: “In cities like Bristol, we’re seeing sustained demand from established corporations and ambitious growing businesses who want flexibility without compromising on quality or location. The role of the office has changed; it’s about creating environments that foster collaboration, support wellbeing and reflect a company’s brand and ambition.”

That change matters because the debate has shifted. Hybrid working is no longer a temporary adjustment, and businesses are no longer choosing between full-time office attendance and total flexibility. Instead, they are reworking portfolios around access, collaboration, and scalability. Orega’s pitch is that premium flex space fits that middle ground more neatly than conventional leases.

Pepper added: “It’s clear that flexibility is no longer a ‘nice to have’, it’s now central to how modern businesses operate.” For operators in the sector, that turns the flexible office story from a pandemic hangover into a long-term infrastructure play.

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BQ

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