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As the number of people working from home continues to grow, we’re seeing a whole new dawn in workspaces and places that accommodate this community. From private members club One Alfred Place to Jelly (the concept of casual co-working), we take a look at the options. 

Enterprise Nation Tech Editor, San Sharma, mentioned co-working in March 2008 in his piece ‘Home-working 2.0: Co-working’

It picked up on an article from the New York Times and an interview with computer programme Brad Neuberg who sets the scene:

“It seemed I could either have a job, which would give me structure and community. Or I could be freelance and have freedom and independence. Why couldn’t I have both?"

Brad’s desire to have both is opening up opportunities to create space that accommodates modern needs and working ways.

Out of home office working –The three degrees

The Private members club

For home business owners who value the privacy of a members club, there’s no better place than One Alfred Place.

The club oozes style and sophistication. But it’s also a great place to work. Managing Director, Rob Shreeve, calls it “a new kind of club that combines the best of a private members’ club with your own London office.” With its stylish, spacious interior, bespoke furniture, contemporary art and Pas, it’s the perfect environment in which to hold meetings, get work done and relax

The co-working hub

Then there is co-working space. Thanks to Prof Colin Mason for sending on this interesting article from The Globe and Mail in Canada that says:

“Once mainly the province of tech-oriented freelancers, co-working centres are attracting a broader spectrum of consultants and small-business people in search of space to work - and network - on the road.”

Such centres are now popping up in the UK, with a mention in this article of The Hub that describes itself as a place for people who change things… 

“We set out to create places that borrow from the best of a member's club, an innovation agency, a serviced office and a think-tank to create a very different kind of innovation environment. Places with all the tools and trimmings needed to grow and develop new ventures.”

With three Hubs in London and one in Bristol, there may soon be a Hub coming to a place near you.

The boy/girl next door

What do you call it when a home based entrepreneur opens his front door and invites in fellow homeworkers? You call it Jelly. And it’s being eaten up by the dish load.

We wrote about Jelly in an August feature: 

“Jelly is casual co working. We invite people to work from our home for the day. We provide chairs and sofas, wireless internet, and interesting people to talk to, collaborate with, and bounce ideas off of. You bring a laptop (or whatever you need to get work done) and a friendly disposition.”

Where will you work today?

Whatever you’re looking for in your out of home office working experience, it’s fast becoming available; from the luxury of a private members club to a next-door neighbour’s lounge.

Tell us about your favourite working spaces and places so we can profile them on the site and tell others about them too. – Emma Jones

Emma Jones is Founder of Enterprise Nation, the home business website, and author of ‘Spare Room Start Up – how to start a business from home’