A snap poll in Rightmove\u2019s research panel, Living Room, also shed some light on what could attract UK employees to spend more time in an office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Among more than 350 office workers, a shorter commute (51%), free or discounted food (39%), greater flexibility with working hours (34%) and better facilities (29%) were some of the top priorities employees said would make them want to go to the office more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The things that people found most frustrating about working in an office were the commute (61%), the office temperature (27%) and poor office facilities (24%).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Industry experts suggest a desire from employees to work in top class office spaces near good transport routes, particularly the Elizabeth Line in London, is driving business decision making.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cModern, well-positioned office space with great amenities and service is being used as an added incentive to attract top talent, to encourage them into city centres more, and is seeing strong demand,\u201d said Andy Miles, Rightmove\u2019s Managing Director of Commercial Real Estate. \u201cOlder, energy-inefficient and less comfortable office spaces are struggling to meet expectations from office workers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Stephen Page, Partner at Anton Page in London, agreed. \u201cPost-pandemic, modern offices have become lifestyle spaces rather than just somewhere that people spend the hours between nine to five,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBusinesses want to be near good transport links, particularly key Elizabeth Line stations, and in a building that has the kind of amenities that excite top talent. The higher-end of the market, the best-in-class office buildings, are doing well and seeing strong demand.\u201d In addition, Page said that businesses are now far less likely to want to get involved in fitting out their premises. \u201cThere is greater demand from medium-sized businesses for offices that are fully furnished and ready-to-go, rather than needing the time and upfront costs for businesses to fit out themselves,\u201d he said. \u201cLandlord\u2019s have responded to this by offering turnkey solutions.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n In other trends, demand to invest in commercial property of all types continues to grow as the interest rate environment becomes more favourable. Demand to invest in commercial property is now 19% ahead of Q1 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This quarter, demand to invest in offices outpaced the industrial sector, which had been leading the way. Demand to invest in the office sector is up by 75% versus the same period last year, albeit from a low base, compared with 70% for industrial.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the leasing market, demand for leisure and hospitality spaces is up by 37% versus the same period last year. Demand for industrial space is also up 37% as the growth of e-commerce continues to fuel demand for warehouses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe UK industrial and logistics sector remained active in Q1 2025,\u201d said Claire Williams, Head of UK & European Industrial Research at Knight Frank. \u201cPreliminary data points to 8.1 million sq ft of occupier take-up \u2013 a decrease on the previous quarter, although this comparison is skewed due to a recent upward revision of Q4 2024 figures. Vacancy rates remain stable quarter on quarter and are expected to decline as the year progresses.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Williams added that the outlook for the rest of the year is positive. \u201cAlthough the occupier market [in Q1] lacked the presence of \u2018mega\u2019 deals, the pipeline remains promising, with several sizeable assets under offer and expected to complete in Q2,\u201d she said. \u201cMoreover, there are multiple significant requirements currently active in the market, indicating strong latent demand.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.rightmove.co.uk\/commercial-property\/news\/content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/AdobeStock_103870061-web-version-1024x577.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"Elizabeth](\"https:\/\/www.rightmove.co.uk\/commercial-property\/news\/content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/AdobeStock_583261454-web-version-1024x682.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nOverall demand to invest has increased by 19%<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Continued demand for warehouses<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.rightmove.co.uk\/commercial-property\/news\/content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/AdobeStock_521932827-web-version-1024x682.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n