The Coworking Diaries #1 - WeWork London Fields

The majority of the Search Office Space team work in a private office, yet we place thousands of people in coworking spaces every year. To get a real taste for what the coworking life is really like, I’m travelling around London to sample some of the best locations the capital has to offer. This week, I spent the day grafting in WeWork’s brand spanking new London Fields location.

Will the design-led surroundings prompt productivity and creative thinking? OR will I get tempted by the free beer on tap and end up in a stupor by 3? (The alcohol starts flowing at 2pm.)

Let’s find out...

07:45 The alarm goes off- an even more unwelcome sound after a long bank holiday weekend gadding around Berlin with friends. Luckily for me, London Fields is just a short cycle away so I get an extra 15 minutes in bed- yes! Loving the coworking life already.

09:00 My pre-workday guided tour isn’t until 10:30, so I take the opportunity to explore the area and get some lunch ideas lined up. Cycling down Mare Street, I pass the Hackney Picturehouse which is conveniently showing The Handmaiden at six- I make a mental note. I also clock Sainsburys and a few Turkish eateries that would make for good potential evening options. I’ll grab a meal deal to take to London Fields park later.

10:30 I’m greeted at reception by a WeWork member of staff who directs me to the bike lock area (secure- accessible only with a key card). By the way, it’s not your usual reception- it’s a repurposed campervan and doubles up as a bar. Another member of the team gives me the guided tour. The building is a mix of shared ‘coworking space’ and private offices behind glass walls. At the very top is a prized roof terrace where members can work or relax.

10:40-12:00 I choose my spot in the corner and set up my stuff. I’m in 'the zone' for the next couple of hours.

12:00 Weirdly, I’ve managed to work solidly without the insatiable urge for caffeine.The time has come, however, for a coffee. A friendly WeWork staff member helps me to navigate the kitchen (being used to a mere kettle, fancy appliances send me into a social panic). Turns out beers aren’t the only thing on tap- there are unlimited custard creams and bourbons too!

14:00 Decided to break for lunch, but not before nipping to the loo - and there’s nothing ‘bog’ standard about it! (Hah.) Not being able to shake the bank hol spirit, I ditch the supermarket idea and head to TXOTX for lunch, indulging in a colourful vegetable stew. Healthy and delicious. Where Broadway Market meets the canal. Meandered around London Fields for a bit.

15:00 Back to work! Lots more collaboration going on this afternoon, it seems. The person next to me shared his chocolate covered digestives - surely this is what coworking is all about!

17:30 I decide to utilise the amazing roof terrace, with its views of post-industrial east London set against a clear blue sky. Beer in hand. I think I could get used to the coworking life!

General observations:

Perpetual background music mixed with the low white noise emanating from the ‘electrical room’ was surprisingly focusing. Noticed the chairs were designed in a way that meant they made no noise when shifted.

Everyone seems incredibly focused and in good spirits. People were working collaboratively and independently in harmony. Someone did a really loud and prolonged laugh which triggered a couple of disgruntled faces, but that’s about it!

At its busiest, the coworking section was at half capacity- not too crowded.

If you see yourself working here too, call us on 0800 524 4315.

Next up… I find out what pro-working is all about.

coworking diaries