Jessica Ross, Head of Office Agency at Naylors, explains how businesses can create an office worth the commute by investing in workplace quality, flexibility and a stronger employee experience.
That simple shift has transformed the office market and changed the conversations I have with occupiers across the North East.
Not so long ago, office decisions were largely driven by location, size and cost. Those factors still matter but increasingly businesses are asking a different question: how can our workplace help us attract and retain the best people?
Employees have more choice than ever before about where they work. As a result, organisations are having to think much more carefully about the purpose of their office and the value it delivers. In 2026, the best offices don’t demand attendance – they attract it.
The most forward-thinking occupiers no longer view their workplace as simply a property decision. They see it as a business tool. The office can influence recruitment, retention, collaboration, innovation, culture and even client perception. In that context, investing in the right workplace is no longer just a real estate decision – it’s a strategic one.
The reality is that employees compare the office against alternatives every day.
Home offers flexibility, convenience, no travel time and no mileage and parking costs. The office therefore has to offer something different. Not simply desks, meeting rooms and Wi-Fi but opportunities for collaboration, learning, mentoring, problem-solving and social interaction. The organisations getting this right are not relying on attendance policies alone – they are creating environments that people actively choose to be part of.
Importantly, earning the commute isn’t solely about the quality of the office itself. Even the best workplace will struggle if employees spend their day on video calls with colleagues working elsewhere.
The most successful organisations are aligning workplace design with workplace strategy, ensuring people come together for activities that genuinely benefit from being in person. In many cases, the question is no longer “How much space do we need?” but “What do we need our space to do?”
Whilst location remains a key consideration, occupiers are placing far greater emphasis on the overall workplace experience than they did a few years ago.
As businesses rethink the role of the office, the focus has shifted from how much space they need to how effectively that space supports their people. The quality of the environment matters, as does the provision of collaborative and breakout space, wellbeing facilities, sustainability credentials and access to amenities both within the building and near it. At the same time, hybrid working has prompted many organisations to reassess how their space is used. The traditional model of allocating a desk to every employee is becoming outdated, with occupiers instead seeking workplaces that better reflect how their teams actually work.
The result is a trend we’re seeing across the market – businesses reducing their overall footprint while investing in higher-quality accommodation that delivers a stronger employee experience. Across Newcastle and the wider North East, demand is increasingly concentrated around the best-quality buildings. Occupiers are becoming more selective and, in many cases, are prepared to pay a premium for space that aligns with modern workplace expectations. Questions around EPC ratings, sustainability credentials, wellness-focused design and end-of-commute facilities now feature prominently in many occupier briefs.
Buildings that have been refurbished and adapted to meet these expectations continue to attract strong demand. And older stock that has failed to evolve is finding it difficult to compete without significant investment. As a result, the gap between best-in-class space and outdated accommodation continues to widen.
Alongside quality, occupiers are seeking flexibility.
Whilst traditional long-term leases remain the right solution for many businesses, organisations want wriggle room around future growth plans and changing space requirements. Economic uncertainty, evolving business models and changing workforce dynamics mean many occupiers are reluctant to commit to requirements that may look very different in five years’ time. This has driven growing demand for managed office solutions, fitted and furnished space and more flexible leasing structures that allow businesses to adapt as their needs evolve. For agents, this means thinking beyond the traditional transaction. More and more our role is to understand an occupier’s wider business objectives and identify property solutions that support them, whilst also helping landlords position their buildings to meet changing market expectations.
A recent example is our work with law firm Aberdein Considine.
As their lease approached expiry, they asked us to review both their existing accommodation and the wider market to identify the best long-term solution. By assessing everything from location and accessibility to sustainability credentials, workplace design and employee experience, we were able to identify a property that better aligned with their future requirements. Their move to West One has provided a modern workplace that supports the way their people work today while also offering flexibility for future growth. The project reflects a wider trend we’re seeing across the market. Businesses are no longer looking solely for office space – they’re looking for workplaces that support performance, engagement and long-term success.
The office remains a vital part of the modern workplace. What has changed is not its relevance, but its purpose. The most successful workplaces today are those that bring people together, support collaboration, reinforce culture and help businesses perform at their best. Simply providing desks is no longer enough. For occupiers, the challenge is no longer whether to have an office, but how to make it as effective as possible. Those that invest in the right environment will be better placed to attract talent, engage employees and support long-term growth. The office isn’t disappearing. But in a world where employees have more choice than ever before, attendance is earned rather than mandated. The workplaces that succeed will be those that offer something genuinely valuable – and are ultimately worth the journey.
Find out more at www.naylors.co.uk
About The Author: Jessica Ross is an Associate Partner and Head of Office Agency at commercial property consultancy, Naylors. She heads-up the Office Agency service and has 15 years’ experience.
Naylors’ award-winning team sell, let and acquire office accommodation on behalf of occupiers, landlords, investors and developers. They have a wealth of market knowledge and expertise to ensure you receive the best possible advice and save time and money.