Hasleworks - An Exciting New Co-Working Space

As an expert in market research whose previous roles have included serving as Chair and CEO of The Henley Centre, Paul Edwards has reviewed recent published market data and concludes that “the smart money seems to be on the concept of hybrid working”. As many as 67% of those working from home say they have been glad to give up the daily commute. This will have freed up not only a considerable amount of money but a substantial amount of time as the average commute is 59 minutes every working day. 61% of people report a better work-life balance and 50% claim to be more productive. On the other hand 19% rate their space to work from at home as poor, 17% say their employer doesn’t give them enough technology and 10% say their home internet connection is inadequate. 

Paul’s review of the research shows that there is, however, a social dimension to be considered; the things that an office provides just by bringing people together. The good working space needs to be one that offers some companionship, creates an atmosphere where people are able to ask for and offer advice, fosters a learning environment. A space for working near home that cuts out the commute yet offers the physical and social benefits of an office. A chance for people to take back a little control over their working lives.  

The motivation for establishing HasleWorks is entirely community driven. This last year has provided an opportunity to appreciate just how much Haslemere has to offer as a place to live, surrounded by beautiful National Trust land and with a strong cultural heritage. We want to contribute to the town’s economy and, by enabling more people to spend their working day here, expect to increase local expenditure. In the future we intend that any profit made will be donated to local causes. 

For many years Haslemere’s fortunes have been dominated by the railway and the direct access from the station to central London. At the end of the nineteenth century this brought leading writers and artists to this area who promoted the Arts and Crafts movement. For a time the town was a hive of creative industry and home to craftsmen such as Godfrey Blount whose illustration ‘Tree of Life’ has inspired the visual identity for HasleWorks. 

By the beginning of the twenty first century the railway was taking around three thousand people out of Haslemere each weekday, enabling them to commute to London. If, as the market data suggests, a proportion of these commuters are now considering hybrid working, HasleWorks offers an option to enable them to work locally, also creating a community in its own right and an alternative to anyone working from home to work near home.  We are really looking forward to meeting anyone who is interested in finding out more about our initiative. Please visit our website www.hasleworks.co.uk or email jenny@hasleworks.co.uk if you would like to arrange a visit.