Breaking Down the London Flex Brand Index: Insights and Trends with Zoe Ellis-Moore

Episode Show Notes:

London Flex Brand Index Report: Inside the Numbers with Zoe Ellis-Moore

In this episode, we dive into the first-ever London Flex Brand Index Report with Zoe Ellis-Moore, founder of Spaces to Places.

Zoe uses her passion for placemaking and expertise in the flex office market to analyze the report's findings about London’s coworking and flexible office scene.

This episode unpacks the categories, tiers, and trends highlighted in the report, offering a clearer view of where the market is heading and why branding matters more than ever.

Zoe explains the confusion surrounding coworking vs flex, clarifies how different segments are emerging, and explains how brands like Regus, WeWork, and neighbourhood spaces shape the market.

If you manage a space or are just curious about how flex spaces are transforming post-COVID, this episode is packed with real data and actionable insights straight from the London Flex Brand Index.

Timeline Summary:

[00:27] - Zoe Ellis-Moore introduces herself and her passion for placemaking

[02:25] - Defining the difference between coworking and flex office spaces

[04:55] - Unpacking the London Flex Brand Index and why categorising the market matters

[07:51] - Breaking down flex office brands: from niche players to mainstream giants

[12:17] - Why Regus’ Net Promoter Score is so low and what it means for the market

[18:24] - The rise of neighbourhood workspaces and how they’re changing local economies

[23:24] - Post-COVID shifts in workspace demand and the role of local authorities in boosting neighbourhood coworking

Detailed Episode Breakdown:

1. Placemaking and the Flex Office Revolution
   Zoe explains her passion for turning empty, soulless spaces into thriving places people want to be.
   
   This philosophy sets the stage for understanding how placemaking influences the way we work and live, especially in the evolving landscape of coworking and flex offices.
   

2. What is Flex and Why Does It Matter?
   Zoe provides a straightforward breakdown of the differences between coworking and flex spaces, focusing on the contract terms that distinguish them.
   
   Flex offices cater to businesses that need professional spaces but want the flexibility of shorter leases—under three years, to be exact.
   
   On the other hand, coworking often feels more like 'pay-as-you-go,' serving individuals and freelancers who need communal, adaptable environments.
   

3. The London Flex Brand Index: Cutting Through the Clutter
   Zoe introduces the report and its methodology.
   
   With over 60 brands and 686 locations across London, the flex market is dynamic but fragmented.
   
   The London Flex Brand Index categorises providers based on their market presence, breaking them down into mainstream, niche, premium, and value categories to help operators understand their position.
   

4. Regus, WeWork, and the NPS Dilemma
   While brands like WeWork and Regus are household names in the flex market, their Net Promoter Scores tell a different story.
   
   Zoe highlights why Regus, despite being a giant, scores a shocking -82 on the NPS scale.
   
   She dives into the customer frustrations and friction points that lead many users to start with Regus but then transition to higher-quality spaces once they understand the market.
   

5. Neighbourhood Coworking: The Post-COVID Boom
   The conversation shifts to the rise of neighbourhood coworking spaces.
   
   Post-COVID, local authorities have recognised the value of keeping people working closer to home.
   
   Zoe explains how this shift has led to a boom in local, multifunctional spaces that blend work, lifestyle, and community.
   
   These spaces aren’t just about desks—they’re about creating local hubs where people live, work, and interact.
   

6. Educating the Public: The Big Challenge
   Bernie and Zoe discuss the ongoing challenge of educating the public about the value of flexible workspaces.
   
   Many people don’t realise these options exist in their neighbourhoods.
   
   Zoe stresses the need for the industry to step up and bridge this awareness gap by showing people the benefits of working in these spaces firsthand.

   Which flex providers are leading the London market?

   Links & Resources:

• Get your copy of The London Flex Brand Report Here

• Spaces to Places - Zoe’s Flex space consultancy

• Follow Spaces to Places on Instgram

• Mister Rogers' Neighborhood

• Workspace Design Show London 2025

• Coworking Values Podcast on LinkedIn

• Join the next Community Builder Cohort

• Join the 7k people in the LinkedIn Coworking Group

• Save the date 15th May 2025, European Coworking Day

• Connect with Bernie on LinkedIn

• Connect with Zoe on LinkedIn

One more thing

Remember, the strength of our communities lies in our collective efforts and shared values.

Please rate, follow, share, and leave a review for the Coworking Values Podcast; it helps our show have an even greater impact.

It also helps people in the general public and your neighbourhood understand coworking, how it can benefit their local community, and how it can benefit them in building their careers, projects, and work.