We’re teaming up with the Birmingham Mail to serve up a special series of breakfast events.

Spaces and the Birmingham Mail will be serving up something very special at a series of upcoming breakfast events. Entrepreneurs and companies of all sizes will be descending on Britain’s second city to hear all about the benefits of coworking and the opportunities being brought about by the flexible-office market revolution.

A survey by Spaces earlier this year found 75% of businesses are now working flexibly and if you’ll come to the breakfast events will get the chance to hear all about how these changing working environments are stimulating the growth of startups.

Keeping up with a rapidly changing market

There’ll also be special panel sessions where experts will share their experiences and provide insights about the flexible office market. “There’s a shift taking place today where it’s getting harder and harder for companies to commit to space in the long term because things are changing so quickly,” says Vincent Lottefier, advisor to Spaces and founder and president of specialist consultancy Co-Working Future.

“Most business-unit managers don’t really know what they’ll need three or four years from now. Conversely, the typical length of leases in the UK, for example, is ten years. On top of this, there’s massive pressure on businesses to source property that’s sexy and exciting – to attract talent and make employees productive – but also cost-effective. And, while they’re committing long term, they need to be agile in the short term,” he adds.

The events will be chaired by the Birmingham Mail editor-in-chief Marc Reeves and the panel will include Chris Kay, Senior Sales Director at Spaces. Among a range of hot topics up for discussion, they’ll be highlighting how workspace flexibility enables companies to be closer to suppliers, customers, staff and potential recruits.

Those taking part will also hear how simple it is to set up a working environment with things like top-quality IT, security and telecoms without the worry and expense of setup costs. “Demand for flexible office space is growing rapidly across the country and Birmingham is one of the cities leading this charge,” says Richard Morris, UK CEO of Spaces.

Greater emphasis on work/life balance

“In fact, estimates highlight that flexible office space in the city is expected to double in the next four years as people increasingly recognise they can be far more productive and successful in a dynamic working environment. Meanwhile, businesses are also waking up to the financial and strategic benefits of flexible co-working.” More than half of employees currently work away from their main company headquarters at least half the week, with industry experts citing a greater emphasis on work/life balance. Companies looking to reduce spending on large and unnecessary property portfolios is also a key driver.

Widely regarded as England’s ‘second city’ after London, Birmingham’s central location in the Midlands and enviable startup scene has made it the ideal location for the showcase, the first such event of its kind.

Morris adds: “We look forward to supporting the region’s booming business economy and the diverse and exciting local businesses that call Birmingham ‘home’, and continue to showcase it as a great place to set up shop.”

Tickets to the event on January 23rd can be found right here.