Your Flex Monthly: September 2026 Edition

Welcome to the September edition of Your Flex Monthly, your roundup of the latest developments across the UK and Irish flexible workspace market. From new centre openings and operator expansion to investment activity, jobs and workplace trends and occupier demand

Lots of positive news right now. the industry’s largest operator, International Workplace Group plc results are often viewed as a barometer for the wider flex market. Record revenues and continued expansion activity suggest occupier demand remains strong – WeWorkeyond the positive results reported by major global operators, we’re also seeing encouraging signs closer to home. Scotland’s two largest flex workspace markets, Glasgow and Edinburgh, continue to experience strong occupier demand, supported by limited office supply and a steady pipeline of new workspace openings. Recent refinancing activity among several mid-sized operators also points to continued investor confidence in the sector, while an increase in mid to senior-level hiring suggests many workspace providers are positioning themselves for further growth.

Taken together, these trends paint a positive picturefor the UK and Irish flexible workspace market as the sector continues to mature and expand.

Here’s what caught my attention this month.

IWG Maintains Growth Forecasts as Demand Remains Strong

International Workplace Group (IWG), the world’s largest flexible workspace provider, has reaffirmed its annual and medium-term forecasts despite ongoing economic uncertainty. The company reported record system-wide revenue of $2.4 billion in the first half of 2026, driven by continued network expansion, increasing customer enquiries and accelerating centre signings. While profitability improved modestly, IWG expects cost reduction measures to significantly strengthen performance during the second half of the year. The results provide further evidence of the resilience of the flexible workspace sector, with demand for agile workplace solutions continuing to support growth

WeWork Reports Strong Demand for Flexible Workspace

WeWork has reported a strong start to FY27, with record revenue growth, expanding margins and continued demand for flexible workspace solutions. The results reflect ongoing momentum across the sector as businesses increasingly embrace flexible office models, managed workspace and hybrid working strategies. Strong occupancy levels and customer demand have supported performance, while the company continues to focus on operational efficiency and portfolio optimisation. [investing.com]

Gilbanks Secures Funding for Bristol Expansion

Premium flexible workspace operator Gilbanks has secured follow-on funding to support its continued growth, including the launch of a new 23,500 sq ft workspace in Bristol.

The investment marks another vote of confidence in the flexible workspace sector and will help drive the company’s expansion across key UK cities. Since launching its first location in Leeds, Gilbanks has expanded into Manchester and Birmingham, with Bristol becoming the latest addition to its portfolio.

The move reflects growing demand for high-quality, service-led workspace as businesses continue to seek flexible solutions in prime city-centre locations.

Office Rents Continue to Climb Across UK’s Major Regional Cities

New data from Cushman & Wakefield highlights the strength of the regional office market, with prime office rents across Bristol, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, Glasgow and Edinburgh reaching record highs in 2026. Limited availability of quality workspace, combined with a gradual increase in office attendance, is continuing to place upward pressure on rents.

The research also points to a growing trend of businesses expanding their office footprint rather than downsizing. Between June 2022 and June 2026, prime rents increased by 24% in Leeds, 23% in Birmingham and 21% in Edinburgh, reflecting strong occupier demand and constrained supply across key regional markets.

OSiT Secures £129m Refinancing to Support London Expansion

OSiT® | Office Space in Town has secured a £129 million refinancing package, providing a significant boost to its future growth plans and reinforcing investor confidence in the flexible workspace sector. The funding will support several of its Central London locations and help facilitate further expansion across Zone 1, with the operator actively seeking new acquisition opportunities. Known for its distinctive themed workspaces and owner-operator model, OSiT has built a portfolio of approximately 225,000 sq ft across London and Cardiff. The deal also supports the company’s long-term vision of creating larger, service-rich workplace environments that extend far beyond traditional office space. With occupier retention reportedly well above the wider London flex market average, the refinancing represents another strong vote of confidence in premium, experience-led flexible workspace. Source: [flexandthecity.news]

Glasgow Office Market Delivers Strongest First Half Since 2018

Glasgow’s office market has recorded its strongest first-half performance since 2018, according to new research, with demand remaining resilient and availability becoming increasingly constrained.

The latest figures show that office supply across the city remains tight, helping to support occupier activity and reinforce Glasgow’s position as one of the UK’s leading regional office markets. The research also highlights that both Glasgow and Edinburgh are outperforming many other regional office markets across the UK.

Activity has been driven by businesses continuing to prioritise high-quality, well-connected workspace, particularly in prime locations where availability is becoming more limited. The trend mirrors the wider flight-to-quality seen across the flexible workspace and office sectors, with occupiers seeking modern, amenity-rich environments that support hybrid working patterns.

£11m XWORKS Development Set to Boost Glasgow’s Innovation Ecosystem

A new £11 million development in Dalmarnock is set to provide much-needed flexible workspace for Scotland’s growing science and technology businesses. XWORKS will deliver at least 36,000 sq ft of adaptable mid-tech space, designed to accommodate a mix of laboratory, office, advanced manufacturing and collaboration uses, with a focus on high-growth sectors including life sciences, clean energy, defence and space technology. Located opposite Dalmarnock railway station and close to the M74, the development aims to address the shortage of specialist innovation space across Scotland while supporting investment, job creation and business growth. Targeting high sustainability standards, XWORKS is expected to complete in early 2027. [glasgowcit…vation.com]

Scottish Flex Forum Meets in Glasgow and announces new Co-chair Helen Denny

The Scottish Flex Forum met at the Glasgow Collective for an informal roundtable , and tour of the space by Co-Founder David McBeth

This space is truly unique in a 1950s industrial/office block with gorgeous brick walls and other period features. The space offers affordable flexible Coworking , Small Office space and creative studio /maker spaces to freelancers , remote workers , creatives and non-profits ,.

As I have always said flex is more than offices – its coworking space , creator/maker spaces, flex-industrial , pop-up retail and more

At the meet-up I announced Helen Denny CEO of The Melting Pot Edinburgh and Co-Founder of Connected Hubs Scotlandand our new Co-Chair . Helens experience in the flex and non-profit sector at senior level across Scotland will only strengthen the Forum.

The next meet up will be October and if you are a leader in flexible workspace or operate a flexible workspace in Scotland you are welcome , membership is free.

New Openings and Expansions

Flexico launches its Tamworth location Pacific House

BASE Workspacethe Uks fastest growing managed office provider , opens its Farringdon location

Wizu Workspaceare launching a premium space in Bradford this month

Patch is opening it’s 7th location in flex hotspot Bristol

BLOCK workspace opens in Birmingham

Northwood House 1880launches in Dundee this month

Projects is opening in Tunbridge Wells

infinitSpace a new premium flexible workspace at Paradise SE11 in Vauxhall

Scott McMartin launches Saltire Spaces Ltd in Dunfermline , Fife

Braemore Space launches in Ullapool in the Scottish Highlands

Jobs in Flexible Workspace

Flexible Space Associationis recruiting an Events Manager

International Workplace Group plc are recruiting Community Managers in Edinburgh and Nottingham

Agile City CICare recriuting a Community Coordinator

NewFlex are recruiting a General Manager in London

Projectsare hiring a Senior Community Manager in Tunbridge Wells , alongside a Community Associate

Fora are recruiting a Senior Commercial Manager in London, alongside an Assistant PM

Industriousare hiring a Member Experience Manager in London

Orega are recruiting a Meeting Room and VO Sales Exec in their Central Sales Team

Spacemade are recruiting a Central Sales Manager in London on a mat leave contract

Patchare recruiting a Site Director and a Venue/Events Manager in Bristol

Clockwise Officesare recruiting a Community Coordinator in Glasgow

About Your Flex Expert

Founded by flexible workspace industry veteran Steven Carr, YourFlexExpert.co.uk helps businesses find the right workspace solutions across the UK and Ireland. Drawing on extensive sector knowledge and a network spanning serviced offices, managed offices, coworking spaces, workshops, studios, laboratories, industrial flex space and business storage, the business provides an independent, tailored workspace search service designed to save occupiers time and deliver the best possible options for their requirements.

Alongside occupier advisory services, Your Flex Expert works with flexible workspace operators, landlords and building owners, providing consultancy support on market positioning, lead generation, occupancy growth, partnership development and flexible workspace strategy. With deep insight into the rapidly evolving flex sector, Your Flex Expert helps clients identify opportunities, navigate challenges and maximise the value of their workspace assets.

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