The National Innovation Centre for Rural Enterprise funded the research to investigate the potential of rural pubs as working spaces.
Working from the pub -coworking as a diversification strategy
“Pubs play a key role the UK’s hospitality sector, supporting both the local economy and social cohesion in rural areas, yet they are facing increasing economic fragility with the number of pubs falling by 25% since 2000. Alongside this, remote and homeworkers are seeking alternatives to traditional office spaces which has led to the emergence of rural coworking spaces where individuals come to work together. This research explored the potential of using rural pubs as workspaces from the perspective of pub managers and remote workers. It highlights that there is already a range of work taking place within pubs and identifies the facilities required for pubs to offer workspaces. However, perceptions about pubs as unsuitable workspaces may need to be challenged, and further marketing efforts are proposed to promote the concept of ‘work from the pub,’ aiming to assist pub managers in diversifying their offerings to help meet post-pandemic ways of working.”