The desk is the easy part: how technology decides whether a coworking space works
In 2025, the UK added more than 300 coworking spaces. On its own that figure is fine; in context it is striking. The country already had near-national coverage when the year began, so this was a market most people assumed was full, deciding to grow another 8% anyway.
Coworking is no longer a side option for freelancers with laptops and strong opinions about coffee. It has become a serious part of the UK workplace market.
By Q2 2025, the UK had 3,949 coworking locations, with London accounting for more than 1,200 of them. Across the UK and Ireland, the total had reached 4,199 spaces.
The wider flexible office market tells the same story. Rubberdesk reported 7.67 million sq ft of available flexible office space in the UK in Q3 2025, with more than 153,000 available workstations. At the same time, available space fell quarter-on-quarter, suggesting strong business uptake despite a cautious economy.
This growth paints a clear picture. Hybrid working has settled into the rhythm of working life. ONS data shows that 28% of working adults in Great Britain were hybrid workers between January and March 2025. People are not simply choosing between home and headquarters anymore. They are moving between both — and expecting the third space in between to work properly.
That is where coworking has a problem to solve.
A coworking space is not a normal office with nicer furniture. It is a concentrated, unpredictable, bandwidth-hungry environment. Different companies, different users, different devices and different working patterns all share the same infrastructure. One person is on a video call. Another is downloading large files. A team is presenting in a meeting room. Someone is trying to book a booth. Guests are signing in. Displays are promoting events. The background music is on. The Wi-Fi is being judged silently by everyone.
And unlike a private office, the people using the space have a choice. If the experience is poor, they may not complain. They may just not come back.
28% of working adults in Great Britain were hybrid workers between January and March 2025
The technology pressure points in coworking
The most obvious requirement is strong network infrastructure, but “good Wi-Fi” is too small a phrase for what coworking spaces actually need.
They need networks designed around high-density use. Not theoretical use. Actual use. Peak hours, full rooms, multiple devices per person, cloud platforms, video meetings, guest access, staff systems and shared amenities all need to be considered from the start.
Meeting rooms are another pressure point. They should not begin with a troubleshooting exercise. No cable hunts, no remote-control lottery, no camera rebellion, no screen sitting there blank while everyone pretends not to mind. Users expect to walk in, connect quickly and start.
The same applies to presentation spaces, event areas and training rooms. The AV needs to be clear, reliable and simple enough for different users to operate without a member of staff becoming the unofficial room technician.
Digital displays also have a practical role. They can support wayfinding, member updates, event listings, promotional messages and reception communication. In a busy shared workspace, screens can reduce repeated questions and make the environment easier to navigate.
Then there is audio. Coworking spaces often need different moods in different areas: reception, lounges, quiet zones, event spaces and breakout areas. Zoned audio gives operators more control, especially when it can be managed online from a connected device.
Finally, there is support. This matters more than people think. Shared workspaces do not need systems that create more work for front-of-house teams. They need infrastructure that can be monitored, managed and, where possible, fixed remotely. The outcome is simple: fewer interruptions, less pressure on staff and faster resolution when something goes wrong.
What airwave connect provides
airwave connect designs, installs and supports the AV, display, media and network infrastructure behind connected coworking environments.
That can include high-density network infrastructure for busy shared workspaces, meeting-room AV, video conferencing, wireless presentation, digital displays, room booking systems, zoned audio and remote support.
The aim is not to make the technology the story. In a good coworking space, the technology should almost disappear. Members get online quickly. Meetings start on time. Calls sound clear. Displays say something useful. Staff are not dragged into avoidable support issues. The space feels easy to use because the systems behind it have been properly planned.
That matters commercially. Better technology supports a better member experience. Better member experience supports retention, reputation and occupancy. It also helps operators scale without every new room, floor or site creating another layer of manual support.
Coworking has grown because people want flexibility without friction. The same principle applies to the technology.
If the space is shared, busy and built around modern work, the infrastructure has to be ready for all of it.
Get in touch
The fit-out gets people through the door. The technology keeps them. Let's make sure yours holds up. Talk to the airwave connect team about the network, AV and signage behind your space.
connect@airwaveconnect.co.uk or +44 (0)1403 783 483