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Monday 7 Apr 2014

Network Rail and The Office Group announce next phase of growth for The Station Office Network joint venture

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National

The Station Office Network, the joint venture between Network Rail and The Office Group, has announced that it will open a further three drop-in work spaces in 2014 following the successful launch of its flexible office product at Paddington station in mid-2012.

New sites being developed at King’s Cross, Leeds and Liverpool Street stations will provide an additional 50,000 sq ft of high quality work space to Britain’s mobile workforce.

All three locations are set for completion in spring/summer 2014 and together with the existing Paddington office, will create a network of four stations that can accommodate up to 1100 people in a variety of alternative working environments. These include offices, meeting rooms and drop-in work space, known as ClubRooms, for a broad range of businesses and rail passengers.

The Station Office Network is a 50:50 partnership which enhances the passenger experience and taps into the growing trend of flexible and mobile working by providing convenient, design-led work and meeting spaces at major transport hubs, allowing people to work seamlessly while on the move.

David Biggs, Network Rail’s managing director of property, said: “This innovative joint venture brings an additional facility to our busy stations by transforming underused space into productive work environments that meet the needs of time scarce business travellers. Stations are convenient destinations for shopping, dining and leisure and the success of our first site at Paddington has proved that they are equally as sought after for business. As we prepare for another decade of dramatic growth on the railway, the serviced office product will continue to be a key element of how we improve our stations and enhance the passenger experience.”

All profits from Network Rail’s commercial activity are re-invested in the railway to help build a safer, more reliable and growing network for its passengers and freight users.

Commenting on the joint venture, Lloyd Dorfman, The Office Group’s Chairman and majority shareholder (and founder of foreign exchange group Travelex) said: “This joint venture further strengthens The Office Group’s position as a leading player in the work space sector, and proves that this market’s time has absolutely come. As demand for flexible and remote working grows throughout the UK, these new facilities will support our exciting growth plans in meeting passenger needs.”

The Station Office Network provides commuters with shared or private working areas similar to airport business lounges, with stylish meeting rooms, superfast broadband and receptionists to handle mail, telephone and switchboard enquiries.

Charlie Green, co-founder and joint CEO of The Office Group, said: “Flexible and mobile working are becoming ever more the norm for businesses and stations have become destinations in their own right – not just somewhere to travel through. These working spaces provide yet another facility for busy passengers to use. As part of the membership, clients at the rail hub offices can also take advantage of The Office Group’s other 16 London venues adding further convenience to our customers.”

Andrew Ledger, director of The Station Office Network, added: “There are ambitious plans to open further work spaces in major railway stations throughout the UK. We have already identified a number of new and exciting locations, which will form part of our expansion strategy to help create a network of flexible work space for our customers that want to do business at our stations.”

Notes to editors

• The Station Office Network is backed by The Office Group’s Chairman Lloyd Dorfman, the successful entrepreneur who created the Travelex foreign exchange group.
• The 50:50 joint venture between Network Rail and The Office Group provides flexible office space for commuters at some of the busiest rail hubs in the UK.
• The rollout of additional sites will see The Office Group’s turnover grow to over £35 million a year with a property portfolio valued at £195 million.

About The Office Group

• The Office Group is an innovative provider of high quality, design-led, flexible offices and meeting rooms with ClubRooms providing drop-in and shared workspaces throughout Central London and the UK
• Working with local artists, up-and-coming interior designers and exciting young architects, their premises are some of the most exciting and environmentally friendly workspaces in London.
• The company aims to provide inspiring workspaces which are simple, considered and green whilst maintaining value for money to enable every way of working for every sort of business.
• The Office Group currently operates 16 buildings. For more information please visit:
  https://www.theofficegroup.com

About Network Rail

• Network Rail is one of the largest land and property owners in the country and during the five year period which ended on 31 March 2014, is forecast to generate over £1bn from commercial activities for re-investment in its rail estate. This is enough to transform Birmingham New Street or King’s Cross stations, or put in place 5,000km of new railway.

• Has over 550,000 sq ft of retail space at 18 of the largest stations across the country – that’s more retail space than Bluewater – showcasing many leading high-street brands.

• Is also the country's largest provider of commercial property to small and medium sized businesses, with over 7,000 properties nationwide.

• Works in partnership to develop railway land and property no longer required for operational use, including multi-million pound commercial schemes above our station at Birmingham New Street and our first multi-site joint venture, Solum Regeneration.

• Owns and manages 18 of Britain’s biggest and busiest stations (it also manages St Pancras International on behalf of HS1 Ltd):

 

National stations

• Birmingham New Street
• Bristol Temple Meads
• Edinburgh Waverley
• Glasgow Central
• Leeds
• Liverpool Lime Street
• Manchester Piccadilly
• Reading

 

 

London stations

• Cannon Street
• Charing Cross
• Euston
• Fenchurch Street
• King’s Cross
• Liverpool Street
• London Bridge
• Paddington
• Victoria
• Waterloo