Office attendance is steadily rebounding, with 68% of employees now working from the office and more than four-fifths of UK CEOs anticipating a full return to the office within the next three years. But with travel time, train delays and additional expenses which UK cities are the best to work from the office?
To find out, leader in office relocation and design Peldon Rose has analysed a variety of metrics including the percentage of people working from the office, the percentage of trains on time, the average number of food spots per 10,000 office workers and the number of after-work activities per 10,000 office workers.
The 10 best UK cities for office-based working
| Rank | UK city | % of people working from the office | % of on-time trains | Number of food provisions per 10,000 office workers | Number of after-work activities per 10,000 office workers |
| 1 | Edinburgh | 61.1% | 67.0% | 188 | 20 |
| 2 | Blackpool | 79.8% | 63.0% | 167 | 12 |
| 3 | York | 64.5% | 37.0% | 189 | 19 |
| 4 | Newcastle | 70.0% | 52.0% | 168 | 16 |
| 5 | Glasgow | 66.7% | 72.0% | 172 | 14 |
| 6 | Nottingham | 74.5% | 58.0% | 216 | 13 |
| 7 | Manchester | 68.4% | 47.0% | 205 | 14 |
| 8 | Liverpool | 73.9% | 52.0% | 160 | 17 |
| 9 | Cardiff | 63.9% | 56.0% | 137 | 10 |
| 10 | Bristol | 61.4% | 52.0% | 145 | 12 |
Edinburgh has been named the best UK city for office workers. Over three-fifths (61.1%) of people work from the office, and 67% of trains are on time – the highest number in the top 10 ranking. Additionally, there are 188 food options available and 20 after-work activities per 10,000 workers.
This is followed by Blackpool in second place, with 79.8% of people working from the office and York in third place, with 189 food provisions and 19 after-work activities per 10,000 workers.
Rounding out the top 10 is Bristol, with 61.4% of people working from the office but just over half (52%) of commuting trains being on time – this is 15% less than the top-ranking city Edinburgh.
Research shows that northern cities are the best places to work from the office. Seven out of 10 cities rank in the North of England, including two cities in Scotland and five in England.
