work community Archives | The Workplace

If you’re spending a day in Cheltenham, whether you’re visiting, settling in, or just want to explore somewhere new, there’s no shortage of great places to visit. From early morning coffees to a relaxed evening drink, here’s a list of The Workplace team’s favourite spots.

Coffee Spots

Start your day with a proper coffee and something freshly baked. Whether you’re in the mood for quiet and cosy, or something a little livelier, we know a spot to suit you.

Otis + Belle – New to Montpellier, this little bakery is well worth discovering. Expect top-quality coffee, fresh pastries, and a chic start to the day.

Parler – With friendly staff, ambient interiors, and delightful pastries (beloved local, La Boulangerie Artisan, supplies them), Parler is a new Cheltenham favourite for a reason. It also doubles as a cool cocktail bar at night.

Scandinavian Coffee Pod – This Nordic café serves speciality coffees, matcha, and light bites – ideal if you like your mornings slow and fuss-free.

Sorrel Stores – A welcoming café-restaurant in Suffolk Parade, with fab coffee and pantry items supplied by independent businesses. They also host lots of fun pop-ups like homemade pasta workshops.

Pickles – Another Cheltenham newbie is this gorgeous independent café, crafting trendy acai bowls, smoothies, and matcha (particularly good with strawberry cold foam).

Eateries

Cheltenham has no shortage of places to enjoy a bite to eat – whether you’re after something fresh and light at lunchtime, or a soul-warming meal of an evening.

Habibah – Full of flavour, this Middle Eastern eatery is a local favourite for good reason. Fresh wraps, vibrant salads, zingy za’tar and friendly service make it a reliable lunchtime go-to.

Rainbowls – With two locations in Cheltenham, this lunch spot is a trendy favourite, with acai and buddha bowls aplenty.

Ginger & Garlic – If you’re in the mood for something with a kick, this small Korean spot offers comforting, homemade dishes with great attention to detail. Cosy, casual, delicious.

The Coconut Tree – A lively venue serving Sri Lankan street food – perfect for sharing. The food is bold, the cocktails are strong, the energy is popping – naturally a favourite for staff outings!

Drinks (and a nibble)

Planet Caravan – A colourful independent bar with a laid-back atmosphere. Perfect for a lighter lunch or an early dinner, with plenty of Mexican flavours.

The Merryfellow – A classic local pub in Charlton Kings with a welcoming feel, good food, and a lovely garden. It’s a great spot for a hearty lunch or a relaxed evening with friends and family.

The Beehive – Just around the corner from Star Lodge, The Beehive has all the charm of a proper local. Lovely staff, a great pint, and a menu full of Great British favourites. The go-to for Workplace socials.

The Rum Bar – If you’re looking for a fun way to end the evening, The Rum Bar has the BEST selection of rum, including funky tropical cocktails. They also have a large selection of games to play at your table.

The Department of Hope, Joy, and Wonder (featuring Benji, the office dog!)

Independent Shops Worth Visiting

Cheltenham has a real love for its independent businesses, and it shows. If you enjoy browsing beautiful, thoughtful or slightly quirky things, these shops won’t disappoint.

The Department of Hope, Joy & Wonder – Full of lovely gifts, homeware, and unexpected treasures, this shop feels like a warm hug in retail form. It’s hard to leave empty-handed.

Be More Bob – A favourite amongst The Workplace dog community with treats, toys, and pizzles galore. With so many doggy companions in the office, this is a great place for many of our members.

Wildflower Illustrations – Locally made prints and paper goods that make perfect gifts – or a treat for your own wall.

Take a Breather: Outdoor Spaces

Sometimes the best part of the day is soaking up the sun with a coffee in hand or taking a gentle stroll. Luckily, Cheltenham has plenty of green spaces to enjoy.

Montpellier Park – Just around the corner from Star Lodge, this leafy park is perfect for a gentle walk or a sit under the trees. Bring a coffee or a pooch and enjoy the peaceful surroundings.

East Glos – A sporty spot for those who can’t keep still. With tennis, padel, and squash courts surrounded by plenty of green space, it’s ideal if you want to stretch your legs or just enjoy a bit of open air in a quiet part of town.

The Workplace – your new flexible workspace

Our two locations (in Montpellier and Cheltenham town centre) are ideally situated near all amenities. Whether you’re grabbing coffee with a friend, meeting a client for lunch, or running errands after work, The Workplace is right at the heart of it all.

Flexible workspaces mean that locals, commuters, and out-of-towners can balance productivity with adventure. Brill transport links and accessible routes allows you to fit work, dining, and shopping into one day.

Ready to give us a try? Book a free trial day at The Workplace today.

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.

work community

The Workplace Team’s Guide to Cheltenham

Mental Health Benefits of Coworking at The Workplace

The Importance of Mental Health and Happiness in Flexible Workspaces

work community

The Importance of Mental Health and Happiness in Flexible Workspaces

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