Sheffield set to benefit as London workers demand healthy lifestyle post pandemic

City set to benefit as London workers demand healthy lifestyle post pandemic
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Tim Bottrill, of colloco, believes workers will be keen to avoid the Tube and overcrowded public transport and public spaces after the pandemic.

Wellness, health and mental health are top of the agenda as the nation grapples with how to come out of lockdown safely, he says.

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Sheffield offers more opportunities for healthy travel - cycling or walking to work - shorter commutes and cheaper housing close to a national park.

Tim Bottrill of colloco.Tim Bottrill of colloco.
Tim Bottrill of colloco.

He said: “Sheffield offers a lot of things that people want now.

“If you did a straw poll of people in central London and asked if they wanted a view of the Peak District four miles from the office, the chance to cycle to work without the risk of being run over 54 times and a detached house compared to a two-bed flat with no balcony, I think they would all say ‘yes’.

“The argument for the North becomes more and more powerful. Wellness and mental health were all things we were aware of three months ago. Covid-19 accelerates them.”

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Office space costs up to £30 sq ft in Sheffield, compared to £70 to £100 sq ft in the capital, he added.

But Mr Bottrill thinks ‘hot desking’ - the practice of sharing desks, chairs and keyboards on different days - will not end.

Bosses may decide to continue to have staff working from home after lockdown ends, reducing their need for office space. They could introduce a rota, with workers coming in to the office on different days to reduce the risk of coronavirus transmission. It wouldn’t make sense for them all to have their own desk and computer, Mr Bottrill believes.

He added: “More people at home means fewer desks are needed in the office. Hot desking will continue but cleanliness will become more important.”

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Offices will still be needed as a place to gather the team, instil company values and motivate staff. But because some will have a choice of whether to go in at all, the working environment will have to improve, he added.

“What’s the point of going into an unpleasant office? You might as well stay at home. Going into a really good space becomes more important.

“I think things like healthy travel will be more important and being close to opportunities for health and fitness such as a gym and areas for outdoor exercise.

“You need to provide secure, cycle storage and changing for people who bike, run or take a class at lunchtime.

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“These things are a tiny fraction of the cost of a building but help firms keep staff and landlords attract tenants.

“It’s very expensive when you lose people. Productivity drops through the floor when they’re working their notice, finding a replacement and training them up costs money and their productivity takes time to improve. It’s something developers and investors need to be aware of.”

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