Richard Morris, director at technologywithin, says that the impact on the office property market will be significant thanks to the coronavirus as we will change the way we for the long term. 

Morris said: “There’s no question that COVID-19 will prompt a change in the way we work for the long term, as well as the way we view and use “the office”. However, what this prolonged period of working remotely so far has taught us is that, while we can work from home, we are unlikely to ever give up the office completely.

“Connectivity issues, isolation from colleagues and an inability to work face-to-face as teams have made remote working a necessary but less than ideal reality for many workers over the past few weeks. So, far from COVID-19 spelling the end for the commercial office, we expect businesses to return to the office enthusiastically. What will change, however, is the greater preference for flexibility and connectivity, as businesses look to avoid long and rigid lease commitments and operate more efficiently.

“We expect flexible workspaces across the country to benefit from this shift and indeed retail and other types of real estate hit during this pandemic, are likely to look to capitalise on this trend by introducing co-working or flexible workspace into their own offering.”