Coffee Shop or Cowork Space?

Written By Maggie Braley

Highlights

  • Our Community Builder Maggie did some research to compare costs of a morning of coworking vs working in a coffee shop and explored the joys… and the pitfalls of the experience.

  • More and more people are working in coffee shops - but what’s the price difference versus coworking spaces?

  • Maggie explores the etiquette of coffee shop working and compares it to coworking at Reunion @ Hub Space in terms of price, timing and overall experience.

  • Below is the final comparison based on Maggie’s calculations and on chatting with some of our members about why, in the end, coworking at Reunion @ Hub Space was the best choice for them.

  • We think you could be in for a surprise…!

Maggie’s (hypothetical) story

The Comparison Table

So it’s 9.23am, it’s raining and I’ve just dropped off my daughter at school, grabbed my laptop from home and headed down to a local coffee shop. I park up in the large car park behind the town centre, so that I can do a bit of shopping afterwards and nip straight back for the school run this afternoon. The place I’m heading to happens to be a large chain, though of course there are several wonderful coffee shops in Belper that welcome workers, not least, Reunion Deli!

I arrive a little wet, wishing I hadn’t bought my large umbrella which is now dripping on the floor. Looking around, I can see at least one other person has set up their mini desk-from-home with a large latte on hand. Me too, I’ve been really looking forward to this coffee after a distinctly hectic-feeling morning getting everyone up and out in the rain.

But what draws workers to set up a temporary office in a bustling barista bar? According to an Office of National Statistics survey from Spring 2022, 38% of working adults reported having worked from home at some point over the past week: that’s a lot of kitchen tables and desks crammed into bedroom-cum-offices. So it’s no surprise that, along with welcome change in cafe culture that allows people to enjoy solo visits, there’s a rising trend of remote workers parking up in coffee shops, with some outlets actively seeking to make known that they are laptop friendly. Indeed, with free access to wifi, charging plugs for your devices, tasty food and great coffee nearby, for many workers it’s potentially the perfect place! Or is it?

Just around the corner from the busy high street there’s a brand new cowork space set up in a beautiful heritage building, with over 30 large desks available (including sit-stand) within a bright, airy hi-spec office with plenty of free parking. Unlimited fresh coffee and tea are on offer with biscuits, along with a large fridge, microwaves and even a toaster in the clean and bright kitchen area. There’s a friendly face to welcome you every morning, and you’re gradually getting to know some of the other members, enough to chat over a cup of tea or a spot of lunch. Ah, talking of lunch, you can even get freshly prepared delicious food delivered directly from Reunion Deli, at a discounted price. Oh, and I haven’t even mentioned the free access to networking events, pub socials and member breakfasts at Reunion Deli have I..?

That’s all very well, but what about the price? Cowork spaces are so expensive and I can just as easily meet my needs by taking my laptop down to the coffee shop, right?

Well, several of our coworking members here at Reunion @ Hub Space tell a different story. How initially, heading to the coffee shop seemed like a great alternative to their home office space, but in the end it began to lose its appeal…why? For some there’s a sense of overstaying your welcome or pressure to buy another cup of coffee when you feel like you’ve really had enough; plus, if you wanted some friendly connection, you ‘see’ people at the coffee shop, but the chances are that you won’t get the opportunity to interact with them very much. And the big one seems to be having to pack up all of your things if you need the loo, which leads to a sense of not quite being able to settle or focus on your work. Plus, as more and more of us are feeling the pinch on our household budget, there are always costs to consider. But in any comparison, surely the coffee shop would win hands down on that?

Talking of which I’ve just got myself a coffee, a large latte at £3.70; add biscuits and the bill is just short of £6. The coffee is so welcome though. I sit for a minute and have a breather. Time to get my laptop out. I’m sat at a table for two; ok it’s a little cramped but, according to Flatio's Coworking in coffee shops etiquette blog, one of the top rules for working in a coffee shop is ‘Don’t spread out’; I’m seriously regretting the large umbrella though as i’m not sure where to put it now!

In fact, as I read through the coffee shop working etiquette blog there seems to be quite a lot to think about when deciding to work out and about: Choose a coffee shop wisely, makes sense; Buy something - understood. Don't bring outside food - who would!? But there’s more: Avoid streaming - ok, so no training video today then. Don’t make calls - seems considerate but I could do with chatting though that idea, maybe later. Tip your baristas - fine - generously - how much!?

Suddenly I realise that, inclusive of my parking, I’ve spent almost ten pounds. Ok, fair enough. I continue with my work. But what happens when I need the inevitable visit to the loo. Flatio again: Don't leave your belongings unattended. I unplug the laptop, pack my notebooks away, purse, phone…there’s a wait for the loo, no problem. Ten minutes later I return and my ‘desk’ is now occupied by a new customer. Okay… find another table, better buy another drink. £3.45. If I stay for lunch, add another £4.50 which brings the total, with parking, to just under £19 and I’ve only been here three hours so far!

I guess everyone has their particular needs when it comes to coworking; for me, a quick visit to a coffee shop to catch up on a few emails is probably something I will do again. But in terms of my day to day working needs, a coworking space does it all: great working space with all the amenities, local to me, and building relationships with people on a daily basis. Why don’t you give it a try?

Maggie Braley
Previous

Building a successful business - on your terms
Next

Brilliant Belper Initiatives