Let’s face it – no one starts a business because they’re excited about spending thousands on furniture, negotiating a 5-year lease, or figuring out who’s going to take out the bins.
If you’re a startup founder or small business owner in Cheltenham, your focus is probably on growth, clients, building a great team, and getting a good cup of coffee. So when it comes to choosing a workspace, the real question is: do you want something you can just get on with, or do you want to spend the next few months building chairs and installing broadband?
Let’s break down your two main options: flexible offices vs traditional leased space, and why more Cheltenham businesses are leaning into the flexible route.
Flexible Office Space (aka: the “ready-to-go” option)
Flexible offices are ready-to-go spaces you can move into right away. They usually come fully furnished, with Wi-Fi, meeting rooms, kitchens, cleaning, and community perks all wrapped into one monthly price.
You get:
- A private office and desk that’s already set up.
- Monthly or short-term contracts (no 5-year signatures here).
- All the essentials covered – internet, utilities, coffee, the works.
- A built-in community (and yes, often dogs too).
- At the Workplace, you get full control over layout and style. As long as you’re not knocking down walls, you have freedom to design your office according to your brand.
It’s ideal for businesses that want to hit the ground running without committing to long-term costs or DIY office fit-outs.
Traditional Office Lease (aka: the “hope you like paperwork” option)
This is the old-school route: you find a space, sign a long lease (usually 3–10 years), pay a deposit, furnish it yourself, organise all your utilities, and take full responsibility for maintenance, cleaning, and everything else.
You get:
- Full control over layout, branding, and style.
- Potentially lower costs per square foot – but only if you use the space efficiently.
- A lot more responsibility (and time) managing the space.
This can make sense for bigger teams or businesses with very specific space requirements. But for early-stage startups or solo operators? It’s often more hassle than it’s worth.
| Pros & Cons | Flexible Office | Traditional Lease |
| Move-in ready? | Yes | Not even close |
| Commitment? | Monthly or short-term | 3–10 years |
| Branding control? | Limited | Total control |
| Scale-up friendly? | Very | Tricky |
| Best for? | Freelancers, startups, growing teams | Established businesses, large teams |
So which one’s right for you?
Go flexible if:
- You want zero risk and easy set-up
- You’re growing (or shrinking) and need flexibility
- You don’t want to waste time setting up your own space
- You love the idea of working near other like-minded businesses
- You’re still figuring things out – and don’t want to be locked in
Go traditional if:
- You need total control over layout, design, and infrastructure
- You have a large or stable team
- You’re in it for the long haul
- You’ve got the capital to invest up front
Flexible workspaces let you get started faster, grow more easily, and surround yourself with a supportive community (and usually, really good coffee).
If you’re running a small team, building a freelance business, or launching your next big idea, a flexible private office might just be the smartest move you make this year.
The Workplace works for you
You don’t need to spend a fortune to have a professional, inspiring place to work in Cheltenham. The Workplace is designed to suit your needs, whether that’s through supplying you with barista coffee or helping to tailor your plan for ultimate flexibility. We have private offices of various sizes in two prime Cheltenham locations, so you can choose the one that fits your business best.
What makes us different?
Comprehensive amenities, which include:
- superfast WiFi
- ergonomic, high-quality chairs and desks
- weekly cleaning
- meeting room credits with your plan
- 24/7 access and security
- and access to a fully-equipped communal kitchen.
Community-oriented
We have regular socials, including monthly pub outings and weekly Cake Wednesdays! We’re also very dog-friendly, with many of our team being paw-rents themselves.
Sustainability focused
We’re a certified B Corp and have been since December 2024. We regularly take part in Gloucestershire’s B Lab networking and strive to include local, sustainable suppliers and supplies where we can. We’re also registered as a plastic-free business with Surfers Against Sewage.
Inclusive, transparent pricing
There are no hidden fees with our plans – you pay the all-inclusive bill, and parking or meeting fees only if they’ve been booked on top of your plan’s credits. All utilities and amenities are included, and we have competitive rates starting from £300 per desk per month*.
*at our Frogmore location.
Change the way you work and move your business off your kitchen table with a flexible, all-inclusive private office at The Workplace. Book a tour of our Cheltenham locations today and discover why more start-ups, SMEs, and small businesses are choosing flexible offices over traditional leases.