Ben Newton from Patch shares key themes from GCUC UK: Patrick Kennedy and Phoebe Reilly of Colliers argued that local boutique operators are outcompeting global flex brands by knowing their city, while Alexandra Livesey and Ben Cheriton pointed out that flex revenue is still undervalued by investors despite member tenures that resemble leases.

A community panel chaired by Tilley Harris with Garry James, Kreena Pithwa, and Emma Harvey reframed community teams as revenue protection not a cost line, and Michael Ingall of Allied London closed with the reminder that property alone doesn’t build cities.

At GCUC UK, Patrick Kennedy and Phoebe Reilly reported that 42% of Manchester office transactions are now flex, yet operators say broker-generated leads dropped roughly 50% in 2024.

Scott Dickson argues AI search tools like ChatGPT and Copilot are the main culprit, bypassing broker marketplace sites by connecting searchers directly to operators. Deals are still getting done though, just through a much wider mix of channels including direct, traditional agents with flex desks, city-specialist brokers, individual brokers like Jimmie Brennan and Jason McDermott, and platforms like Seek.

Emilie Lashmar shares takeaways (and a call to action) following a FlexSA session on business rates, by Chris Sykes from the UK’s Valuation Office.

It’s great to hear the conversation at the event was civil, and that many operators are still working together to fight the change in the law that could wipe out rate reliefs for the over 150,000 SMEs working within coworking spaces.

GCUC UK comes to Manchester for two days of conversation, ideas and coworking tours.

Day one brings together operators, landlords, investors and people from outside the industry for a programme of talks and panels at Campfield.

Day two takes attendees inside Manchester’s flex spaces to see how the city’s operators are running things on the ground.

Expect honest conversations about what’s working and what isn’t, alongside the usual chance to catch up with the wider community.

Tickets and full programme at uk.gcuc.co.