A Change of Scenery: Where to Work Remotely in the Quarter

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Working from home is brilliant, until the walls of your apartment start to close in and you realise you haven't spoken to another person in two days.

Living in an area with so many apartments means there is a huge community of hybrid and remote workers in the Jewellery Quarter. As a result, the neighbourhood has naturally changed to suit people looking for variation.

If you need to escape your home office space for a few hours, here is a practical guide to finding a remote work space that fits your day.

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The casual morning session 

If you just need to clear your inbox, do some light reading, or get out of the house for a couple of hours, a spacious cafe or lounge is your best bet.

• Saint Pauls House: Sitting right on the St Pauls square, the lounge and bar area inside Saint Pauls House is an underrated space for remote workers. While it’s known as a boutique hotel and vibrant weekend venue, during weekday mornings it is a spacious, comfortable, and relatively quiet place to open your laptop with a coffee.
• Urban: Sitting on the Golden Square is Urban, a popular place for laptop users. There is usually a quiet crowd of people working, making it easy to blend in, grab a flat white, and focus.

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The head down focus day 

Sometimes you need more than just background noise, you need guaranteed plug sockets, and a professional environment.

Jointworks on Albion Street is a workspace housed in a restored factory, offering a brilliant way to meet other people in a relaxed, historic setting.

If you want a complete change of pace, take a short walk or scooter ride over the canal to 10X at 10 Brindleyplace. This is a massive step up from your average coworking space. Forget grey walls, 10X is vibrant, highly modern, and completely dog friendly. A day pass gets you access to their hot desk lounges, free unlimited coffee, alongside a bouldering wall, fully-equipped gym, and rooftop terraces.

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The Friday afternoon shift 

If it is 3:00 PM on a Friday and you want to finish your final tasks in a place where your laptop can easily be replaced by a pint soon, the local pubs are ideal.

The downstairs area of The Button Factory is surprisingly quiet and spacious during weekday afternoons. It offers a relaxed environment with good Wi-Fi, allowing you to wrap up your week and transition straight into the weekend without having to go home first.

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Finding your spot 

The best remote working spot usually depends on what you need to get done. Try mixing up your routine, spending a morning at a cafe and a full focus day at a co-working space is often the best way to get to know the area while actually getting your work done.

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