Innovative work space hire scheme Spacemize comes to Portsmouth at two Holiday Inn hotels - in Southsea and Gunwharf Quays

Spacemize, a website that allows people to book spaces at hotels so they can work remotely, has just taken on two Portsmouth hotels – adding to the scores of venues it has already signed up across the country.

By chance, founder Saleem Arif started the business last year after being inspired by schemes in New York that utilise closed restaurant space in the day.

He said that demand has significantly increased since lockdown, with more than 1,000 people signing up as members, as work places put restrictions on offices and many people have been forced to work from home in either unsuitable or uncomfortable set ups.

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He said: ‘We started looking at places that could work here in the UK and thought hotels would be prefect as they quite often have huge spaces which are empty during the day time. That’s when we came up with Spacemize.’

For a monthly fee of £14.99 people can book workspaces in hotel lobbies and restaurants that are safe, clean, and reserved just for them.

Membership also gives 20 per cent discount on food and drink, free parking, 24-hour access, unlimited bookings, and discounts on meeting rooms.

Saleem said: ‘As the current pandemic has forced more and more employees to work out of the office, this is a topic that seems increasingly pertinent.

‘We offer a better solution to working remotely. Having somewhere to go to in the morning helps remote workers to bookend their working day, establish a better work-life balance and avoid the distractions of the home.

‘Spacemize is at the forefront of the workspace revolution. We are pioneering the evolution of the workspace, providing the ideal solution to the often detrimental impacts of working from home.’

Spacemize started with just one venue in London but now has more than 60 listed, included the Holiday Inn in Pembroke Road, Southsea and the Holiday Inn Express at Gunwharf Quays. It also has hotels in Brighton, Gatwick and Reading listed and is looking to add more.

Saleem, from Leicester, said: ‘Companies now know they can trust their staff to work remotely.

‘Hotels are very keen to get people through their doors. We are bringing them new customers that they would not have normally seen who will spend money.

‘Plus it is getting people out of their houses. People want somewhere near to where they live to work from. People do not want to spend 24 hours a day at home. It is not good for their mental health. It is nice to have somewHere different to go.’

For more go to spacemize.com