News Release: UK office occupancy rates reach new post-pandemic high

• Occupancy edges up as firms push for more in-office time

The latest data from Remit Consulting’s Return survey average office occupancy levels across the UK, reached a post-pandemic high of 38.1% last week, according to the latest data from Remit Consulting.

Notwithstanding the recent Bank Holidays, the upward trend in occupancy, recorded since the start of the year, has continued, suggesting that this is a sustained improvement in the return to the office.

Last week, the national average office occupancy peaked at over 44.9% on Thursday (15th May).

Lorna Landells of Remit Consulting commented: “While we're still some way off pre-pandemic norms, this steady rise in occupancy is encouraging. 

“The data suggests a growing confidence among both employers and employees in the value of office-based work. For landlords, it could mark the start of more stable demand, but flexibility remains key as hybrid patterns continue to shape how space is used.

“It’s hard to point to one clear cause, but the push from many large firms to bring staff back in, combined with the wider economic uncertainty, is likely playing a part in these occupancy gains,” she added.

There are diverse views in the property sector regarding what constitutes maximum occupancy for offices, with some industry commentators suggesting that, due to holidays, external meetings, staff sickness and other operational issues, offices were only ever 60-80% ‘full’ before the pandemic. 

Previous research from the BCO suggested a figure of 60%, while other market practitioners suggest a figure of between 70% and 80% at peak times in the calendar, although this will have varied widely according to individual buildings and businesses. The graph shows an adjusted figure to compare current figures with a possible pre-pandemic “80% average office occupancy”.