Regus launches ‘world’s first’ city-wide third space network

Serviced office provider Regus has claimed that it has launched the world’s first city-wide network of flexible working hubs in 70 Shell service stations across Berlin. The facilities available for the Regus Card toting road warriors at the ‘Regus Express’ hubs include wifi (surely a given these days),  docking stations, business lounges and meeting rooms. It is the most extensive use yet of the Regus approach to ‘third spaces’ which has so far also included the provision of facilities on Shell service station on the autoroutes around Paris, trains on the Dutch rail network and certain UK branches of Staples.

They are not alone in developing this idea and the idea of creating third place hubs has attracted the attention of the UK Government. The next stage of its extensive property rationalisation programme is a workplace transformation programme formulated as part of the Civil Service Reform plan, part of which is the introduction of touchdown hubs, and co-located buildings that can be shared by teams from different government departments.

Commenting on the Berlin network Phil Kemp, Global Managing Director at Regus Third Place, said: “Globally there is surging demand for more productive ways of working on the move. Two thirds of professionals work more on the move than they used to, and we see this reflected very clearly in the way that our one million customers’ requirements are changing. They want to work where, when and how it suits them. In practical terms, mobile workers want drop-in workspace to meet clients or suppliers in a professional setting, or to work in peace and quiet between their meetings, or to print documents and pick up parcels. The Berlin launch of workhubs at the roadside is an exciting move for Regus and Shell, and we look forward to announcing further ‘third place’ developments soon.”