Best Coworking Spaces in Cheltenham

The Workplace

Co-working Space & Mailbox Services in Cheltenham

Claire

5 Benefits of Having an Office Dog

by

The Importance of Canine Companions at The Workplace

Canine coworkers have been shown to increase work happiness and promote stress-free environments. The Workplace outlines the top reasons why you should consider bringing your dog to work. 

Sometimes, working from home can be boring, distracting, or just uninspiring. Switching up your workspace can bring fresh motivation and productivity, but what if you have a canine companion? 

Here at The Workplace, we allow dogs of all shapes and sizes into our spaces – providing they are well-behaved! Here are five benefits to bringing your dogs to work:

A curly-haired dog sat at a desk in a coworking space.


Improved Mental Wellbeing and Productivity 

Many employees report lower stress levels and increased productivity when they work in a dog-friendly office. Whether you have a dog or just love to see them, being around canine coworkers has been proven to boost the wellbeing of many workers.  

Physical Health 

Recharge and reset as you take your furry friend on a lunchtime stroll… Taking time away from your desk to walk your pooch promotes physical health and mental focus, as fresh air and exercise are proven to provide mental clarity.  

A blonde dog sat amongst desks in an office.

“Bringing my dog to work has hugely helped my mental health as he reminds me to take breaks and provides a calming presence in the office. He gets lots of attention throughout the day, so he’s always a happy pup!”

Meg, Marketing Manager of The Workplace 

Community 

Connecting and collaborating with people in your coworking space can be much easier when you have a pet. Canine companions act as an ice-breaker for a lot of people, allowing you to form friendships and connections with the people around you. 

Savings! 

With your dog in the office, you don’t have to worry about arranging a sitter or interrupting your work day to go home. Instead, just bring a bed, toy, and treat for them to feel right at home next to your desk at The Workplace. You’ll also cut down on doggy daycare costs! 

Dog Socialisation 

Bringing your dog to the office is not only great for you, but for your pet too. They get to enjoy plenty of social interaction, and you can take them on as many walks as your work day allows. The Workplace’s proximity to gorgeous parks and green spaces guarantee that your dog will have a ball when they’re out and about. 

Of course, not everyone is a dog lover and we cater for people who prefer not to sit near dogs – just let us know when you book or call The Workplace so we can seat you somewhere away from any hounds. 

So, are you ready to bring your pup to work?

Mental Health Benefits of Coworking at The Workplace

by

The Importance of Mental Health and Happiness in Flexible Workspaces


In the past five years, flexible work policies, hybrid jobs, and remote working have continued to increase. With the line between work and home becoming blurred it’s had a significant impact on mental health.

The advantage of remote working can also be its biggest disadvantage. While some employees say that they feel happier and more productive when they’re working from home, others say that they feel disconnected and lonely. A lack of social interaction, routine, and diverse environments can all have a negative impact on wellbeing.

That’s where coworking comes in.

Coworking is one of the best solutions for combating loneliness and boosting wellbeing at work, with spaces designed for connection, collaboration, and productivity. At The Workplace, community is at the centre of this.

A thriving community: You work amongst like-minded individuals, so lunch and coffee breaks guarantee interesting chats. Regular socials also offer networking opportunities with people outside of your own industry.

A work-life balance: Whether you’re an early bird or night owl, flexible hours and dedicated workspaces allow you to switch off when you’re at home.

Options for solo and social working: You have the choice of focused, independent work in our coworking spaces and the choice to engage with work friends or colleagues in our breakout spaces and meeting rooms.

Whether you’re looking to switch workspaces or switch off at the end of the workday, there are plenty of benefits to choosing a coworking space.

Physical Space

A coworking space is the modern alternative to stuffy offices – no more cramped cubicles, bad coffee, or long commutes. Instead, most spaces are open-plan and airy, with comfortable desks and breakout spaces. Most flexible workspaces are incorporating sustainable and biophilic design, which has a marked positive impact on mental health  – and of course they make the space look amazing!

Coworking spaces are also conveniently located in proximity to shops, gyms, and restaurants nearby, and excellent public transport links. The Workplace has two locations in central Cheltenham, so you won’t be short of places to go on your break.

Community

A fantastic community is the heart of a good coworking space. With such an array of people, you get to socialise and network with professionals from a wide range of trades who share a common goal of working productively and happily – this creates a sense of belonging and purpose regardless of who you work for! At The Workplace we see members from totally different industries sparking connections across businesses, lifestyles, and hobbies.

Regular socials at The Workplace help to support our client's mental health.

Socials and Events

Most coworking spaces will engage with their community through socials, events, and friendly chats. Here at The Workplace, we also host regular monthly socials – either at the pub or up Cheltenham’s surrounding hills – as well as weekly lunches with boardgames.

Work-life Balance

One size no longer fits all as more people are looking for hybrid work solutions in order to save on costs, cut down commute time, etc. Flexibility is one of the foundations of coworking – with 24-hour access and a range of cost-effective plans, you can build your own working week.

A coworking space also offers a clear boundary between work and home, so every day becomes intentional – you can dedicate more time and energy to deep work at your desk, and then offer your family and friends quality time when you leave the ‘office’.

Productivity

“Must do laundry, walk the dog, pick up groceries…”

These are just some of the thoughts we have when working from home. Whilst it offers more flexibility, remote working can also offer more distractions. Flexible workspaces boost motivation and help to create a routine that works for you. Whenever you need a quiet, dedicated workspace for planning strategies or responding to client enquiries, a coworking space is the answer.

If you need further support with regards to your mental health, here are some links to mental health organisations:

Mind.org – a UK-wide organisation that supports people in their recovery through speaking about mental health and connecting local communities across the country.

Calm Zone – a charitable organisation that seeks to prevent suicide through providing helpful resources and a free, 7-days-per-week helpline.

What are Serviced Offices?

by

Top benefits of using a serviced office

A smiling woman sat at a desk in one of the serviced offices at The Workplace, furnished with bamboo desks and comfortable chairs.

Serviced offices are a great option for a range of businesses, from startups and small businesses to larger companies looking to expand. They are designed for flexible, short-term leases with amenities that make moving in a breeze – most come fully-furnished and are all-inclusive, so all you need to bring is your laptop.

The Workplace offers a variety of private offices for businesses of different sizes. With options in two Cheltenham locations, you can rent a furnished office on a rolling monthly contract for teams of up to 8. You can make the space your own with the option to bring in decorations, company branding, and more – whatever you need to make it feel like home.

We found the offices comfortable, bright, trendy and really well equipped […] The community was friendly, engaging and fun and quickly felt like the office was our home. – Paul Harris, Coacto.

In this article, we’ll look at the benefits of choosing a serviced office, who uses them, and why they differ from traditional offices and coworking spaces. But first, what really is a serviced office?

What is a serviced office?

Simply put, a serviced office is a rented office space that is fully furnished and ready to use. They’re also called private offices or managed offices, and unlike traditional offices, they can be rented on a short-term basis for one all-inclusive fee.

Serviced offices come with everything you need to start working from the day you move in, including desks, chairs, storage, printing, kitchen facilities, and a fast, secure WiFi connection.

Who can use a serviced office?

Anyone can use a serviced office, but the flexible contracts and convenience of a managed site are suitable for certain types of businesses. These include:

  • SMEs
  • Companies entering new markets
  • Expanding startups
An airy serviced office with bamboo desks, Herman Miller chairs, and plug sockets.

Benefits of using a serviced office

Cost-effective

Serviced offices come with everything you need to hit the ground running, so you won’t have to waste time looking for comfortable desks or chairs. At The Workplace, our Herman Miller chairs and electric standing desks guarantee a comfortable workspace – in fact, our clients love them so much that they’ve bought them for their own spaces!

Flexibility

Short, flexible leases allow you to rent offices for as long as you need to, without being sucked into a long-term commitment that might prevent expansion or adaptation to your target market.

Amenities

Most serviced offices come with facilities such as communal kitchens and staffed reception areas, and some offer extra amenities such as an on-site gym, IT support, and conference rooms.

Convenience

Once you’ve decided on your office space, there’s no waiting around for renovation or installations. These workspaces are fully-furnished with utilities all set up, including internet and electricity, with no need to hire movers to transport bulky equipment. At The Workplace, we also have a friendly, experienced on-site team that will see to your needs.

Maintenance

Cleaning is included in the set fee, so you don’t have to manage the upkeep of your office – maintenance is sorted for you.

Community

Serviced offices within shared buildings give you the opportunity to network with other businesses and to build relationships with people working in and outside of your field. Our thriving community here at The Workplace is great for people who like to work solo but enjoy sharing lunch with work friends.

A coworking desk with a Herman Miller chair, bamboo desk, and a montior screen

Serviced offices vs. coworking

Whilst they may seem similar, there are several key differences between serviced offices and coworking spaces.

A coworking space is more flexible than an office as you can pay-as-you-go or visit multiple locations. It’s also more affordable for new businesses who are just starting out or for freelancers who want to rent a single desk by the day.

A serviced office is usually rented on a monthly basis and offers a more private space and fewer common areas. It offers businesses greater privacy and control over their workspace, as well as a dedicated zone for their employees to work in a team or independently.

Depending on your needs, a serviced office just might be the right choice for you. If you’d like to hear about our flexible private offices at The Workplace, get in touch through email or telephone, or visit our Private Offices page to learn more.

Get In Touch

We’ve Achieved Our Plastic Free Champion Award!

by

In January, we achieved our Plastic Free Award from Surfers Against Sewage (SAS). This means that we’ve replaced several forms of single-use plastics in The Workplace at both locations. We instead use:

  • Handmade ceramic mugs and plates produced by Surrey Ceramics.
  • Drinking glasses and a communal water cooler in order to reduce water bottles in the workplace.
  • Plastic free, biodegradable teabags from Clipper Teas, a Fairtrade company that uses only natural ingredients in their products.
  • And more!

Why is this important?

Plastic never disappears. It simply breaks down into smaller and smaller pieces, polluting the air, land, and sea – microplastics have even been found in our bodies and food.

Here at The Workplace, we think that the small things we do every day make a big difference. As a Certified B Corp, we believe in using business as a force for good. We want to do our bit to keep plastic out of the sea and landfills, to protect our community and the planet – now, and forever.

What’s next?

We’re going for Gold! We’ve applied for a Silver Award with SAS and we’re not stopping there. Gold is the highest award we can achieve and we want to continue working towards a fully plastic free business.

Why not join us on our journey? Let’s remove single-use plastics from our oceans and cities, one step at a time.

B Corp Month at The Workplace

by

It’s our first B Corp Month since becoming certified at the end of 2024! We thought we’d tell you a little bit about what this means and how we’re celebrating our achievements as a B Corp™.

What is B Corp Month?

Every year, B Corps around the world come together to talk about the work they’ve done and their goals for the future. The aim is to spread the word about the B Corp movement and to encourage people to take part in changing the world, for good.

How did we become a Certified B Corp?

We started the application process in May 2023, and after a thorough verification process, we achieved our B Corp Certification on the first try. Most businesses don’t achieve this on their first attempt, so our success reflects all the hard work we’re doing at The Workplace.

2025: ‘Gen B’

This year’s theme is all about community – it focuses on the ways in which a generation of people are changing the world, one business at a time. ‘Gen B’ calls for every business to join together to push for greater social and environmental change.

What We’ve Achieved So Far

  • In January, we became Plastic Free! We joined the Surfers Against Sewage to tackle plastic pollution, and we’re proud to say that The Workplace has been plastic-free for a while (we just have the plaque to say it now).
  • We’re part of the nationwide group of employers who pay their staff a Real Living Wage and Family Wage – we believe in providing for our team and have incorporated the living wage into our policies into reflect that.
  • We continually reduce our food waste by using separate bins for food, recycling, and landfill waste.
  • Supporting our members is so important for us at The Workplace, and we encourage a work-life balance through our monthly socials and weekly social lunches. We want our community to be happy and healthy!
  • We use sustainable products and have achieved a low carbon footprint throughout the building – we use sustainable and eco-friendly desks, with solid bamboo tops that are durable and biodegradable, and our ergonomic desk chairs are provided by Herman Miller (who are one of the founders of NextWave Plastics and use recycled ocean-bound plastic in their chairs).
  • And so much more!

What’s Next

  • Our resident B Corp Consultant, Fran Page, is offering a talk about the benefits of being a B Corp and how to begin your journey.
  • We attended the annual Workspace Design Show in London to learn more about sustainable design – the verdict is more plants and more pods. Watch this space!
  • We’re creating our first impact report that will outline our policies and goals.
  • We’ll continue to improve and build upon existing policies.

Join Gen B with The Workplace

Become part of the generation of people using business as a force for good by becoming a member at The Workplace. Together, we’ll work towards a better, more sustainable future.

The Workplace becomes the first flexible office or coworking space in Gloucestershire to achieve a B Corp™ certification

by

We’ve only gone and done it!

Achieving this B Corp certification means so much to us!

This award recognises that The Workplace, meet high standards of verified social and environmental performance and responsibility.

It took months of hard work to document all the practises that have formed our philosophies since we opened our first space 7 years ago. It has been an intense process!

We knew we were doing all of the eco things like recycling, sourcing non-plastic teabags, using energy-saving lightbulbs and shopping local. But it turns out there were so many other elements that boosted our position, such as volunteering, staff benefits or supporting local businesses.

Founder and company director, Claire Storey, comments:

“We are so proud to be recognised for the things that have always made up The Workplace philosophy.”

How did we do it?

It’s a rigorous process, covering five key impact areas of your company’s ethos towards governance, workers, community, environment and clients. Completing the assessment was insightful and we all discovered that The Workplace is much more than just a flexible workspace provider.

Since March 2024 we have been working with B Corp to analyse our practices. This required quite a few spreadsheets and almost two-hundred questions… each time we answered one we’d be asked a few more!

What’s next?

Of course, we will be sharing our news far and wide…… but we would like to do even better with our next assessment. B Corp companies are reverified every three years so we will use this as an opportunity keep improving. 

Claire Storey adds:

The great thing about the B Corp process is the way it can help you to become even more sustainable. Now that we are part of the B Hive, we are able to connect with existing B Corporations around the world. Collaborating with some of these will be our next step to improve even further.

The Best Coworking Spaces in Cheltenham

by

Discover the perfect coworking spaces in Cheltenham to meet your requirements.

With more and more people choosing coworking spaces, these flexible workspaces have become increasingly popular, so picking the right one can be overwhelming.

Table comparing the best coworking spaces in Cheltenham

Whether you’re a freelancer, entrepreneur, start-up business, or company employee, Cheltenham boasts a range of private offices and desk spaces for you to choose from. But what matters most to you? It could be free quality coffee, dog-friendly spaces, perhaps private parking, or public transport links. Let’s find your perfect workspace…

The Workplace

Located in Montpellier and Cheltenham town 

The Workplace offers a mix of the professional and comfortable, featuring contemporary open-plan spaces as well as cosy booths. The Workplace is situated in leafy Montpellier, with a variety of independent shops and cafes.

Good To Know

  • Unlimited access to free locally-roasted, barista-style coffee (lattes, espressos, etc.) and Clipper teas 
  • Superfast, secure WiFi
  • Very dog-friendly (which means you save on doggy daycare costs)
  • Private parking
  • Electric standing desks and monitors
  • Access to phone booths
  • Monthly socials
  • Flexible plans and bookings – membership is not a requirement!
  • Bookable desks for part-time and dedicated plans; you can choose your favourite desk using our app
  • Communal kitchen
A coworking desk at The Workplace
The Workplace (Star Lodge) coworking desk
Meeting room at Star Lodge


MX

Located in Cheltenham town centre 

Opened in 2024, this cyber-oriented coworking space was created in collaboration with Cheltenham Borough Council.

Good To Know

  • Use of kitchen with access to filter coffee and tea
  • Access to phone booths
  • Superfast WiFi 
  • Weekly socials
  • Very central – just off the high street
  • No dogs, great for those with allergies
  • Desks available on a first-come, first-served basis
MX coworking desks
MX standing desk
The upstairs coworking space in The Workplace
The Workplace (Star Lodge) coworking space


Dodo Works

Located close to Cheltenham town centre 

If you prefer a more casual vibe with access to a gastropub downstairs, then Dodo Works is a great option. 

Good To Know

  • Hip coworking desks
  • Discounted food and drink from The Sober Parrot downstairs
  • Regular socials and events
  • Dog-friendly
  • Communal kitchen
  • Fast WiFi
  • Desks available on a first-come, first-served basis  
Coworking at Dodo Works
Coworking at Star Lodge


Clockwise

Blending the corporate feel of the office with the laid-back atmosphere of a café, Clockwise spans three floors and offers a ‘Club Lounge’ for members to work in. Perfect for connecting with other coworkers! 

Good To Know

  • On-site café to purchase food and drink from
  • Roof terrace 
  • High-speed WiFi
  • No dogs, great for those with allergies
  • No standing desks
  • Access to phone booths
  • Desks available on a first-come, first-served basis
‘Club Lounge’ at Clockwise
Coworking desk at Clockwise
Clockwise coworking desk



The Workplace Network

Do we have what’s important to you? Let’s answer the most frequently asked questions we hear in the flexible workspace community.


Do you need 24/7 access?
Members are granted full-time access thanks to our clever virtual key app, Kisi.

How many days would you like to come in per month?
We have the largest variation of part-time plans: 4, 8, or 12 days per month including ad hoc day passes, and full-time contracts. No other coworking facility in Cheltenham offers this.

Do you need flexibility? E.g. certain months require more/less/no access.
There’s no notice period – each membership can be switched, paused, or cancelled on a monthly basis.

Is The Workplace fully equipped?
You just need to bring your laptop. Every desk has a monitor and charging point. We have lots of spare items so if you forget something we can most likely get you sorted!

You certainly won’t have to bring your own milk or teabags either. Our kitchen is fully fitted and stocked, with Ritual coffee beans and Clipper teas all included, plus the option to purchase from our tuck shop too.

Would you like to have access to multiple locations?
We have two sites in Cheltenham: the town centre or prestigious Montpellier. As a Nomad you can book either space according to your diary.

Do prices include VAT?
All prices are inclusive of VAT! We are totally transparent and won’t give any vague descriptions such as ‘prices starting from…’

Do you need a meeting room for the day?
We have several meeting rooms in both locations, bookable by members and non-members. They include secure, superfast Wi-Fi and unlimited hot drinks as standard, most have large-screen TVs and whiteboards.

Want to book online with the click of a button?
Our easy-to-use system includes a floorplan helps you choose a specific desk. There is also an app version for members to install.

A private office for you and your team?
We have a selection of private offices available in Montpellier. Our serviced offices include absolutely everything you need to work efficiently – all you need is your laptop. Our flexi plans allow you to book by the day or the month.

Would you like to bring your dog?
We’d love to meet your canine coworkers!

Want to try us out?

Get in touch here or call us on 07850237799.

Pumpkin Painting Social at Star Lodge

by

Happy Halloween!

We have never been big on Halloween decorations before, but this year we turned pumpkin decorating into a social affair…

Yesterday afternoon our members at Star Lodge got stuck in with pumpkin fun – without all the guts! To keep our bamboo tables in one piece we opted for the paintbrush instead of the carving knife.

Social events are a regular occurrence at The Workplace with our wellbeing boardgame Friday being well-attended. But painting definitely lends itself to more artistic freedom so it was fantastic to watch people’s designs come to life and not be ruined by a slip of the blade, which always seems to happen.

Although The Workplace hosts many cyber security experts and tech professionals, we are clearly still a creative community!

If you have never tried this, it’s definitely a lot of fun. Some of the team suggested it would be even better with glow-in-the-dark paints, which would be interesting to see.

Let us know how you’ve decorated during spooky season…

Sustainability at The Workplace:

by

Sustainability has been a key part of who we are since day one. This is much more than simply turning some lights off, or recycling the occasional plastic cup. From the design and sourcing of our office furnishings, to the way we think about our energy use and waste – sustainability plays a vital part in how we operate on every single day. Here is what we do:

Office furnishings:
Why is our office furniture so sustainable? Well, the answer is actually really simple. It’s all about going back to basics and saying no to cheap, mass-produced furnishings. Our furniture is built to last and created with solid, natural materials wherever possible. For example, our outdoor benches are simply solid hardwood, coated with oil-based varnish. As you can see below, these sit above the old radiators from the building renovations – meaning they look great and nothing has been wasted!
The Workplace outdoor seating

Inside is a similar story. We build our desk tops from solid bamboo with oil-based coating which means that they are sturdy and will last an incredibly long time. However, if any do eventually need to be disposed of, they will fully decompose because they are entirely natural.

Of course, not everything can be made from wood and as good as it is for desks and benches – you probably wouldn’t appreciate a wooden office chair! Our chairs are supplied by Herman Miller who have a world leading sustainability program. The chairs are made from primarily recycled plastics, much of which has been collected from the ocean. If parts do break, they are individually replaceable which of course reduces waste and means that we don’t need to dispose of entire chairs.

Desk at The Workplace Cheltenham

Office Supplies:
Our office is always stocked up with a range of items for our members. Little changes in shopping habits can make really important differences which is why we buy from responsible companies and shop locally wherever possible.

We source our freshly roasted gourmet coffee from Ritual Coffee Co. Not only is this sourced in a socially responsible way from small scale farmers and co-operatives across the world – but the coffee is roasted just one mile away from our Star Lodge offices.

Similarly, we source our milk from Cotteswold Dairy who are based only 2.5 miles away from our town centre offices. Again, they have an exciting sustainability policy which ensures that our milk is supplied by red tractor approved farms which are generally within a 30 mile radius –reducing the need for long distance transport whilst supporting nearby businesses and farmers.  

Some items simply can’t be supplied by local businesses. Even when this is the case, we check sustainability policies and ensure what we buy is organic or recyclable wherever possible. Here, small choices such as buying unbleached teabags, or paper hand towels from FSC approved suppliers can make all the difference.

On an even smaller scale, we compost all of our food waste and our members recycle food packaging – further reducing our landfill waste.

The Buildings:

We are lucky that our two sites, Star Lodge and Frogmore House are both very bright, well adapted buildings. Star Lodge features a modern coworking area which is primarily glass fronted. This lets in lots of natural light and means that – along with energy saving LED bulbs – we can keep electricity usage to a minimum.

The Glass House at Star Lodge also features a sedum roof. This increases biodiversity whilst reducing our heating and cooling needs because the plants help to provide a natural insulation barrier. Perhaps most importantly – it provides a great place for squirrels to play!

When we do need to keep the building chilled or heated, we primarily use heat source air pumps through the air con units. These are much more efficient than using radiators and other more traditional ways of heating the building.

Getting to work:
Making it easier to get to our offices in sustainable ways really benefits our members. We are located in Cheltenham Town Centre, so most of our members from the town will walk or cycle in. We provide secure, CCTV monitored bike racks – and a private shower to ensure cycling to work is a viable option.

For those who drive, there’s the option of a PodPoint charger to make it easier for members who own electric cars.

Conclusion:
We think that the small choices we make are just as important as the bigger decisions. By considering sustainability in everything we do, it’s possible to reduce our impact on the environment whilst also encouraging our members to do the same.

Thinking about sustainability also makes our coworking and offices nice places to be – natural light, greenery and solid wood furniture creates a really enjoyable space to work in – and it certainly seems to keep our members happy!

×

Contact us

Contact us today for more information or to book your free trial day.

Name(Required)
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.