Take Your Dog to Work: Dog-Friendly Office Space in the UK

After a spike in canine companionship during the pandemic, 59% of UK households now own dogs, a 14% increase on pre-Covid numbers. Now, as hybrid working sees us spending more time away from home each week, concerns about leaving our dogs alone for extended periods have become a major return to work challenge.

RSPCA, who experienced a 29% surge in animal rescues during the 2021 Christmas period, say going back to the office will impact the 3.2 million households that bought new pets during lockdown.

Demand increase for dog-friendly office space

Driven by companies, managers and those heading back to work, online searches for ‘dog-friendly offices’ almost doubled in the last half of 2021 and are up 22% in the first two months of 2022 compared to the year before.

What was once a workplace novelty is growing in demand as more consider taking their dogs to work at least some of the time.

Aside from the interaction benefitting some dogs, research shows 66% of people would be motivated to come into the office instead of work from home if it was dog-friendly. It’s also a recruitment perk: 82% of businesses say that being dog-friendly has positively impacted recruitment since reopening.

With this in mind, here’s a guide to the best dog-friendly office spaces in the UK.

Dog-friendly office spaces in the UK

The Ministry – Borough Road, London, SE1

A stunning 24-hour access facility in the heart of Central London, The Ministry is a dog-friendly shared office space perfect for businesses adopting a hybrid working model. The Ministry is an ideal space for those looking to take their dog into the office with flexible term leases and services. Just a short walk from both London Bridge and Elephant & Castle tube stations, the offices also offer proximity to excellent transport links to the rest of London and the South East.

Work.Life – Great Eastern Street, London, EC2A

In the centre of the vibrant Shoreditch area, Work.Life is a modern coworking space perfect for those looking to bring their dogs to work. Surrounded by plenty of cafes and restaurants, the offices are a 6-minute walk from Old Street station, with Liverpool Street also within walking distance. Including dedicated meeting rooms and private workspaces, this Work.Life office provides a modern, flexible environment for dog owners to work in.

Labs – High Holborn, London, WC1V

Labs sits in one of London’s most bustling business centres on High Holborn, offering modern serviced offices which can also accommodate your pandemic pup. Including twenty private meeting rooms, a multi-use event space, an in-house gym and cinema, Labs is a truly luxurious space to work from.

Clockwise – Edward Pavilion, Liverpool, L3

A brand new office on Albert Dock, Clockwise is a beautiful dog-friendly shared office space on the river Mersey. Located in central Liverpool in the country’s most extensive collection of Grade I buildings, this modern, inspiring coworking space is perfect for new or established businesses to grow.

WeWork – Various, London

With offices located all across central London, WeWork is one of the most popular dog-friendly coworking spaces to be found in the City. Featuring relaxed lounge spaces, private offices and high-tech conference rooms across multiple floors, each WeWork space is ideally suited to accommodate the flexible office requirements of businesses of all types.

Boutique – London Road, Kingston-Upon-Thames

In the elegant suburb of Kingston-Upon-Thames, Boutique offers an excellent shared space for businesses looking for offices outside of the centre of London. Just a short walk away from the River Thames, giving you ample space to take your dog for a walk during lunch, Boutique is a fully serviced office with a variety of lease types that can be tailored to your business needs.

Uncommon – Horsell Road, London, N5

Uncommon is a dog-friendly shared office space in the middle of the lively Islington neighbourhood, with easy access to fantastic transport links in Highbury & Islington, with Kings Cross St. Pancras a short walk away. The area has a diverse array of restaurants and cafes and numerous green spaces, and the offices are fully furnished with up to date facilities, private and group rooms and services provided with the cost of rent.

The Office Group – Albert Embankment, London, SE1

A fully refurbished, eleven-storey 1960s office building right on the banks of the Thames, the Office Group space comes with an onsite gym, café and kitchen as well as a members’ bar for unwinding after a long day. Vauxhall is an increasingly popular commercial district for established businesses and startups alike and one of the more affordable options for those looking for dog-friendly offices in central London.

Fora – Greencoat Place, London, SW1P

Greencoat Place is a warehouse-style office space in Westminster. With quick access to Victoria and Westminster stations, it’s an option that offers businesses easy connections to the rest of London and the South East. With vast amounts of natural light and fresh air, it’s a space ideally suited to nurturing workplace wellness, suitable for small businesses right up to large enterprises.

All Work and Social – Lower Byrom Street, Manchester, M3

In the heart of Enterprise City, Manchester’s centre for tech companies, All Work and Social is a luxurious space with an onsite gym, showers, cafes and a Clubhouse. A converted 19th-century warehouse, the office has been renovated with sensitivity to the building’s history, retaining the exposed brick and large windows of the original warehouse. It’s a superb dog-friendly facility for those needing easy access to Manchester and Salford’s city centres, with 24/7 access and a dedicated community management team to help you settle in once you arrive.

Things to bear in mind when taking your dog to work

Dog-friendly working is a real perk for employees, but the experience must be as comfortable as possible for everyone, including dogs. Here are a few tips on how to get the most out of taking your dog to the office.

1. Give your dog an office home

Spending time in a new environment can be a lot to deal with for our pets. Consider bringing in a bed and some blankets for comfort for your dog to feel assured that they can relax in the office.

2. Plan your commute

If driving isn’t an option, it’s vital to check your dog-friendly public transport routes to work. Try finding routes that will be less packed with commuters and consider travel bags for your dog, especially if they’re a smaller breed.

3. Be mindful of others in the office

Although most people love having dogs around and find it helps them destress, it’s important to remember that this is not the case for everyone. Be respectful of others’ space and always ask before introducing your pets to colleagues.

4. Ask a coworker to be a helper

There will always be situations where you need to leave your dog alone in the office for a moment or maybe for an afternoon. It’s a good idea to coordinate with a colleague to allow for flexibility and shared care for situations when you can’t have your dog with you.

5. Bring along some (quiet) entertainment

Squeaky chew toys aren’t an option, but giving your dog something to do when you need to focus is crucial for both you and your dog. Look into buying some office-appropriate toys for when cuddles have to wait!

Discover even more dog-friendly flexible office space across the UK.