Currys triples workspace at WeWork’s flagship Waterloo site

10 York Road is WeWork’s flagship EMEA location, spanning 280,000 sq ft

The company, which operates more than 7,600 stores across six countries, will expand from a 6,700 sq ft workspace to an 18,200 sq ft space.

WeWork described the move as a strong endorsement of the hybrid working model that underscored the growing value of flexible space for large enterprises.

Currys moved to 10 York Road, also known as Two Southbank Place, from its west London headquarters in Acton in 2022 and operates a hybrid working model. It said a recent survey of office-based staff showed 93% said hybrid working had a positive impact on their work-life balance and 92% said it had improved their productivity.

Luke Armstrong, regional president UK, Ireland, EMEA and Asia-Pacific at WeWork, said: “This move is a strong example of how flexible workspace enables businesses to adapt, scale and grow with confidence as their needs evolve.

“By leveraging WeWork’s built-in flexibility, Currys has almost tripled its footprint while remaining in the same high-quality and central location at 10 York Road in Waterloo. More broadly, their expansion at our flagship location underlines Currys’ ongoing commitment to investing in workplace experience and reflects their forward-thinking approach to how and where their teams work.”

Paula Coughlan, chief people, communications and sustainability officer at Currys, said: “We’re really proud of our hybrid model, which has delivered fantastic benefits for our colleagues, our customers and our business. Our colleague engagement is at record levels – helped by the flexibility offered by hybrid working. And our most recent financial results show that hybrid working and commercial success can flourish together. That’s why I’m delighted we’re expanding our footprint here at our WeWork HQ, which will continue to give our colleagues access to brilliant facilities, and even more space for creativity and collaboration, right in the heart of London.”

Last year, WeWork reached an agreement with Almacantar, the landlord for 10 York Road, to keep operating its 280,000 sq ft flexible workspace at the Waterloo location.

The pair had been involved in a High Court battle after Almacantar challenged the flex firm for refusing to forfeit its lease in the wake of filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the US.

WeWork’s 20-year lease for 280,000 sq ft at Two Southbank Place began in January 2019 and stipulates an annual rental bill of £20m, court documents revealed.