IWG announces major investment in Epping Forest

IWG Franchise Partner opens new Regus Centre to meet the growing demand for hybrid work

Epping Forest District Council and IWG have announced an exciting new development for Epping High Street and new and established local businesses.

IWG, the world’s largest flexible workspace company, has taken possession of the entire top floor of the Civic Centre in Epping on a ten-year lease to transform it into a world-class co-working, meeting and office space to meet the needs of local businesses and the growing cohort of hybrid workers splitting their time between home and a local workplace.

Operating under IWG’s Regus brand, the centre will provide workspaces across a range of options, offering solutions for businesses of all sizes, who are seeking stylish open, collaborative or private working spaces. The new facility will operate across almost 10,000 square feet of space and is expected to open on Monday 28th February. Cllr John Phili,  Portfolio Holder for Finance and Economic Development at Epping Forest District Council, said:

“This is great news for our district; it is a major vote of confidence in our community by a prestigious brand. It will bring important facilities for local businesses, especially those starting out or looking for new ways of working and give an important boost to footfall on Epping High street. In addition, it will also deliver a significant contribution to council finances through rent received. This has only proved possible by the council’s adoption of new ways of working which frees up space to attract business investment.”

Mark Dixon, CEO & Founder of IWG, commented: “For several decades, we have been at the forefront of hybrid work empowering people to work more productively and conveniently. As the appetite to work closer to home in the heart of local communities continues to grow, we will continue to accelerate the opening of more locations like Epping Forest, so no matter where you live a high quality, professional workspace will be no more than a few minutes away.

“Introducing workspaces into the high street helps revitalise disused spaces, generates economic activity and creates better solutions which support hybrid working.”

Franchise partner, Manjit Singh of Seed Space Group, commented: “The opening of Regus Epping Forest will bring a high-quality, flexible workspace to the thriving business community in the area. The location is the first of many that we are set to open in close partnership with IWG to meet the rapidly growing demand for hybrid work solutions in the suburbs.”

The new facility will deliver a high-end, agile and flexible space that responds to the needs of business, providing bespoke space, tailored support, and high-quality communal areas and kitchens to support changing business needs in the best way. It offers opportunities for new businesses to relocate from London as well as start-ups to take their first steps into high-quality space on their doorsteps.

A recent economic impact study by IWG and Arup indicated that more than 75,000 full-time, white-collar workers could benefit from working locally in new suburban IWG flexible office spaces in the UK alone.

In terms of the economy, the study found that hybrid work could generate up to an extra £327m per year for rural and suburban economies in the UK due to the anticipated expansion of flexible office and coworking spaces in these areas, with an associated increase in productivity said to be worth more than £150m extra to the country’s economy.

To find out more about IWG and their franchise opportunities, visit their profile.