I love flexible workspace. I think more organisations will continue to choose it. But let’s be honest: some businesses genuinely need a leased space.

There are companies that want:

• long‑term stability

• large footprints

• full control

• bespoke fit‑outs

• privacy and permanence

And that’s absolutely fine. Leases still have a place. Pretending otherwise doesn’t help customers — or operators.

What will grow is the middle ground: managed leased spaces, short‑form leases, and hybrid models where communal areas are run by flex operators or professional landlords. This gives tenants the stability they want without the rigidity of a 10‑year lease.

And on the flip side, not every building should be turned into a coworking space. Some locations genuinely perform better as traditional business centres. It all depends on the market, the building, and the customer base.

2. The industry is still ignoring whole customer groups

This one frustrates me because the demand is right there in front of us.

Charities. Therapists. Wellness practitioners. Beauty rooms. These groups are constantly looking for space — but many operators don’t design for them, don’t market to them, and don’t understand their needs.

Yet these customers offer:

• steady, reliable demand

• predictable usage patterns

• long‑term potential

• community‑focused values

• low churn when they find the right space

They’re not “niche”. They’re underserved.

Operators who take these sectors seriously will fill space faster and build stronger communities. It’s that simple.

3. Scotland is not an untapped market — it’s thriving

There’s a narrative (usually from London‑based agents) that Scotland is “emerging” or “behind the curve”.
It’s not. It’s established, active, and growing.

By my estimate, Scotland now has nearly 400 flexible workspaces, and the number is only going up.

Here’s what we’ll see next:

• more independents entering the market

• more commercial landlords converting space to flex

• more national brands taking Scottish sites

• more diversity in workspace types

Scotland isn’t waiting to catch up — it’s already competing.

4. Community matters — but forcing it kills it

People want connection, not compulsory fun.
A great workspace creates opportunities for people to meet naturally, not through a calendar full of forced socials.

The strongest communities grow from:

• warm welcomes

• community teams who genuinely connect with people

• shared spaces that encourage interaction

• small, thoughtful touches

• optional events that feel human, not corporate

Community should feel like an invitation, not an obligation.

And here’s the real secret:
your community team makes or breaks your building.

I call them “diamonds” — those rare people who can balance the operational demands of running a building with a genuine curiosity about people. They’re the ones who bring a space to life.

5. Flex‑space success isn’t about trends — it’s about listening and adapting

The operators who thrive aren’t the ones chasing trends. They’re the ones who:

• listen to their customers

• listen to their frontline teams

• adapt their product

• stay grounded in the realities of their local market

• don’t assume London = universal truth

The future of flexible workspace isn’t one‑size‑fits‑all.
It’s local.
It’s diverse.
It’s shaped by real people with real needs.

And the operators who embrace that will be the ones who win.