COWORKING IN RUSSIA PREDICTED BANKRUPTCY

The partial mobilization that began in Russia a few weeks ago has led to a reduction in the number of employees of firms renting flexible offices. The number of employees has decreased, the need for rent has decreased, and in some cases it has gone to zero altogether. Rental prices began to decline. The emerging trend, experts believe, may cause the bankruptcy of coworking networks by the end of 2022.

According to Kommersant, referring to the opinion of the head of the Klyuch firm, Georgy Golenev, in Moscow, business interest in renting such premises has greatly decreased. Many firms do not seek to enter into long-term contracts, limiting themselves to paying for a workspace for 11 months.

Even large companies, instead of five-year contracts, are moving to their conclusion for up to 3 years.

The reasons for this are not only partial mobilization of citizens. Many organizations do not enter into lease agreements, realizing that their employees may be called. Others hope that the situation will turn into serious discounts and also take a wait-and-see attitude.

Experts note that already in the spring, many coworking spaces are empty. Relations with landlords were terminated by many foreign companies that rented premises for their offices and representative offices. The reduction also occurred at the expense of startups and venture businesses.

It is not surprising that coworking sites are now looking for clients among large state-owned companies or businesses associated with the state. At the same time, owners of large areas already have a problem with filling them. Experts believe that if the trend continues, many coworking sites may be closed by the end of this year.

Earlier, Knight Frank Russia researchers noted that since January, 15 coworking spaces have been opened in the capital, where companies could provide jobs for 14 thousand people. The largest tenants of such "flexible offices" in Moscow are the Central Bank of the Russian Federation, Tinkoff, Rosatom and IRI (Internet Development Institute).