The coworking industry in the UK and Ireland continues to thrive, with CoworkingCafe’s Q1 2025 State of the Coworking Industry Report highlighting a robust network of 4,090 flexible workspaces as of April 1, 2025. Drawing on proprietary data, the report provides a comprehensive overview of workspace inventory, median subscription prices, and leading operators, underscoring the region’s position as one of the world’s most densely supplied coworking markets. This growth reflects the increasing adoption of flexible work solutions amid the rise of hybrid and remote work models.
UK coworking inventory dominates the region.
The UK accounts for 3,829 of the region’s coworking spaces, with England hosting 3,335, Scotland 291, Wales 119, and Northern Ireland 84. Greater London remains the epicentre, boasting 1,145 spaces – nearly 30% of the UK’s total. Other key hubs include Manchester with 93 spaces, Glasgow with 67, Birmingham with 63, Edinburgh with 58, Bristol with 56, and Leeds with 52. Outside England and Scotland, Cardiff leads Wales with 38 spaces, while Belfast is Northern Ireland’s primary hub with 32 locations.
Pricing varies significantly across the UK
The national median price for a dedicated desk stands at £248 per month, with Brighton and Hove topping the list at £300, followed closely by Greater London at £297. Liverpool offers the most affordable dedicated desks at £200. Open workspaces have a national median of £175 per month, with Oxford commanding £295 and Glasgow and Liverpool offering the lowest rates at £125. Greater London’s open workspaces average £250. Virtual office subscriptions carry a national median of £50, but Greater London and Aberdeen see higher rates at £100 and £95, respectively. Meeting rooms cost a median of £27 per hour, with Greater London charging £50 and Glasgow and Belfast offering the lowest at £19.
Top operators shape the UK market
Regus leads as the largest provider, operating 198 coworking spaces nationwide, though only 71 are in the top 15 markets. Fora and Workspace Group follow with 63 and 53 locations, respectively, both heavily concentrated in Greater London. Workpad ranks fourth with 41 spaces, while Spaces manages 39. These operators cater to diverse needs, from freelancers to large corporations, driving competition and innovation in the sector.
Ireland’s coworking scene centres on Dublin
Ireland hosts 261 coworking spaces, with Dublin accounting for 122 – nearly half the national total. The capital’s median prices include €295 per month for dedicated desks, €200 for open workspaces, €75 for virtual offices, and €40 per hour for meeting rooms. Dublin’s leading operators are Pembr with 18 spaces, Iconic Offices with 14, and Regus with 9, reflecting a strong focus on the capital as Ireland’s business and tech hub.
The report highlights the UK and Ireland’s coworking density, nearly double that of the US, where 7,695 spaces serve a population over four times larger. This disparity underscores the region’s rapid embrace of flexible workspaces, fuelled by demand for cost-effective and agile solutions. As hybrid work solidifies, coworking spaces are reshaping work culture, offering alternatives to traditional offices and home setups.
