Nearly one in three workers across Britain now divides their time between home and the workplace, fundamentally changing how organisations approach office relocations.
New data from the Office for National Statistics reveals that 28% of working adults are now classed as hybrid workers. What began as a short-term response to the pandemic has quickly become a long-term way of working – and it shows no signs of reversing.
Crucially, remote work hasn’t made offices obsolete. Instead, it has redefined their purpose.
Offices are evolving, not disappearing
Office occupancy across the UK has risen to around 40%, according to Remit Consultant – the highest level recorded since the pandemic. Employees are returning, but not to the same setups as before. Static desk layouts are being replaced by collaborative zones, flexible seating and meeting spaces that reflect modern working patterns.
Business growth is now driving 42% of office moves in London (Sumomove), yet firms are opting for smaller premises. In 2024, a record number of leases were signed for spaces under 10,000 sq ft (Business Money), signalling a shift towards quality rather than floor space.
As a result, companies are reassessing every aspect of their workspace – from size and location to its overall function.
The old-style office move is fading away
The once-familiar Friday-to-Monday relocation model is becoming outdated.
Figures from the British Association of Removers show businesses that plan 12 to 18 months in advance experience 68% less disruption than those that rush their move (Sumomove). Instead of relocating overnight, firms are transitioning gradually. Teams move in phases, furniture is stored off-site, and operations continue throughout.
While it may appear more complex, this phased approach allows companies to remain productive and adapt as their space requirements change. With future needs uncertain, flexibility is now key.
Office moves are more complex than ever
Today’s workplaces feature far more than desks and storage units. Modular pods, advanced technology, acoustic panels and specialist furniture are now standard – and they’re costly to replace if damaged.
A poorly managed move can result in broken equipment, delayed installations and costly downtime. For businesses operating on tight budgets, those risks are simply too high.
Sustainability now matters
Environmental targets and ESG reporting are pushing organisations to reconsider how they handle unwanted office assets. Disposing of everything and buying new is no longer acceptable.
In 2024, more than 27,000 items of office furniture and IT equipment were refurbished through circular economy schemes, preventing an estimated 2,000 tonnes of CO₂e emissions (European Business Magazine).
Companies are increasingly reusing, reselling or recycling equipment – particularly when downsizing or reconfiguring for hybrid teams.
A spokesperson from SFI Logistics, a UK commercial logistics company that handles office moves and installations, put it plainly:
“The old model of everyone packing up on Friday and starting fresh on Monday just doesn’t work anymore. Companies want to keep operating while they transition, which means moving bit by bit. You need proper planning, people who know what they’re doing with the install, and somewhere to store things in between. It’s a different approach entirely.”
This shift is here to stay
With hybrid working now firmly embedded and office attendance stabilising, the transformation of workspaces is continuing.
For many organisations, relocating is no longer a one-off event. It has become an ongoing process of adapting offices to suit how people genuinely want to work.
And with nearly one in three employees still splitting their time between home and the office, workspace decisions are becoming strategic business choices rather than simple logistical exercises.
