Michael Broomhead: This is why new offices are needed in Chesterfield

Since the first coronavirus lockdown began last year, millions of employees have been working from home and wondering if they’ll ever return to the office again.

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Workers have been told to remain at home if possible for the time being – but what will the situation be like after June 21, when it’s expected all the restrictions which have dominated our daily lives for so long will be lifted?

According to a study by HR firm Adecco last year, the majority of UK employees (77 per cent) think a mix of office-based and remote working is the best way forward post-Covid.

The Financial Times recently contacted more than 20 companies, with most saying they anticipated introducing hybrid models of working in which staff split their time between home and the office.

As the nation starts to recover from the pandemic, town leaders say existing businesses and new companies are likely to want modern, high-quality office space – like the type now under construction in Chesterfield.

Experts also say we are currently seeing a lot of firms, especially those whose leases are coming to an end, actively looking to move out of city centres like London, Manchester and Birmingham.

I recently spoke to a contact who really misses the office.

She summed up the feelings of many when she told me: “We’re all fed up of virtual meetings and can’t wait to be working together and sharing ideas under one roof again.

“We miss the social aspect of the office.

“I like going to the office because it separates work life from home life.

“I think a lot of people are sick and tired of seeing the same four walls.”

She said she hopes to work three days in the office and two days at home when normality resumes.

There are certainly advantages to working from home – can anybody honestly say they miss all those hours of commuting?! – but give it a few months and I think offices will be in demand and thriving once again as we finally move on from this horrendous time in our history.

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