Cork 2023: Providing critical flexibility to companies when they need it

Flexible workspaces can provide confidence and support companies which need to scale but are reluctant to make long-term commitments at this time, said Clare Kelly, the director of Glandore.

Founded by the Kelly family in 2001, Glandore is an Irish, family-owned and managed company offering high-end, design-led flexible workspace, including serviced offices, meeting rooms, co-working space and virtual offices.

It is the longest Irish operator of flexible workspace in the market, with ten locations across the Island of Ireland in Dublin, Belfast and Cork.

No business is too large or small for our spaces, said Kelly. “Whether you are a startup, SME or large multinational, we have a variety of office spaces to meet the needs of your business and your employees.”

“Our licence agreements run from three months upwards but there is no cap on the length of term – many of our companies are with us for ten-plus years. In fact, our longest-term members have been with us since 2005. They stay because of the flexibility that Glandore affords but also the care, hospitality and operational support of our team.”

Glandore was an early pioneer of the flexible workspace model, said Kelly. “The idea came about when my father was approached by a local law firm in 2001 looking for a short-term rental solution. He researched the market, visiting operators in London and realised that there was very little flexibility in the Irish commercial renting market, with 35-year leases as standard.”

Glandore now has 170,000 square feet of office space with a capacity for 4,000 desks across Ireland, catering for a variety of companies across various industries. These include everything from indigenous startups to multinational firms including Reddit, Autodesk, Eaton Corporation, and Amryt Pharma, to name a few.

Glandore opened its Cork location at City Quarter on Lapp’s Quay in 2018. “It is ideally located beside the train station and just ten minutes from the airport. We have 18,000 square feet of space and provide everything from virtual offices – a mail address for companies – to dedicated desks and fully furnished private offices accommodating up to 40 employees.”

There’s no company that couldn’t benefit from a flexible workplace, especially when there’s uncertainty in the market, said Kelly. “Taking on a long lease is a risk for a company. With a flexible workspace, you can have an immediate presence and can grow and scale as needed. There is no capital expenditure on fit-out: you can literally walk into a fully furnished office and get started.

“SMEs and larger established firms are also reassessing their property portfolio since the pandemic as they now try to attract employees back to the office.”

There is a greater demand for fully fitted space and a flight to higher quality accommodation in central locations, and Glandore provides very high quality spaces in premium city centre locations.

“We invest heavily in our IT infrastructure and in our team,” Kelly said. “Glandore is renowned for providing the best quality service in the market, thanks to our experience of 22 years in the business.

We can provide bespoke fit-outs for our members – making spaces more functional for how their team works. This ranges from facilities like built-in phone booths to internal meeting rooms. In addition, all of our members have access to our breakout areas, lounges, and club rooms.”

This means that companies can focus on the day job. “Time is valuable. Any detraction from the business is a potential loss of revenue, so it helps if you can outsource the operational activities of managing the office to someone else.”

Glandore grows with its members, said Kelly. “We look to support companies in the long term. We strive to connect our members to our own All-Ireland network – to our external business network and the alumni business we have supported over the years. As companies land, this gives a headstart on establishing a presence and establishing their brand.”

In 2023 companies are looking very closely at their ESG requirements. A flexible workspace is a very sustainable option by its very nature, said Kelly. “Our members share heat, light and supplies. Our Cork location is in the heart of the city and easily accessible by public transport and facilitates green commuting by bike or foot.

“We are always trying to minimise electricity consumption in our choice of building. We have recycling and composting facilities and we were the first plastic-free, flexible workspace in the country.”

Companies are still getting to grips with how much space they need, according to Kelly. “Occupancy in Glandore has returned to pre-pandemic levels and part of the reason is the community offering that people have missed. We host a wellness programme, partnering with different health providers such as nutrition clinics, barbers on site, nail bars, and Indian head massages.

“As employees gradually return to the office, employers must create workspaces that provide tangible benefits and unique experiences. Companies can decide to do this themselves or they can partner with a flexible workspace provider like Glandore.”