Despite WeWork’s bankruptcy filing in the U.S. and Canada in November, the company’s U.K. operations experienced a surge in demand, particularly in London.Â
Ben Samuels, WeWork’s Chief Revenue Officer, reported that on-demand bookings in London increased by 33% year-over-year in November. Additionally, all-access bookings across WeWork’s 36 London locations saw a 25% rise during the same period, marking a record month for the company in the city, according to Yahoo.Â
The firm’s restructuring, which began with its Chapter 11 announcement on November 6, aims to position WeWork for future growth without affecting global markets or franchisees. Communication from CEO David Tolley reassured members that it was “business as usual,” with no disruption to services or amenities.
Samuels attributed the uptick in London bookings to a stronger return-to-office movement and the growing appreciation for flexible workspaces in a post-pandemic, hybrid work era. WeWork’s ability to offer such flexibility positions it well to meet this demand. The company is negotiating with landlords to improve costs and terms at some of its U.K. locations, looking to make its spaces more appealing and cost-effective.
While WeWork faced financial restructuring in North America, its U.K. business thrived with record bookings in London, driven by a robust return-to-office trend and the rising demand for flexible workspace solutions.