Working from the pub can save money – but only in moderation! | Personal Finance | Finance

Forget working from home or one of the co-working office spaces springing up in towns across the UK – it could be cheaper to work from the pub (WFP).

Remote workers could save up to 40 percent by choosing to work in a pub, rather than a coworking space, a new study has revealed.

The research analysed the coworking deals offered by six major UK pub chains, before comparing prices with five nationwide coworking spaces.

They identified that the average daily cost to work from a pub is just £13 – 40 percent cheaper than the average cost of a desk in a coworking space, at £22. However, the research also revealed that working from a pub is something that should be done in moderation.

For, if you were to ‘WFP’ every day over a month, it would cost £390 – 54 percent more expensive than the average monthly coworking membership, at £253.

All the pubs provide guests with free Wi-Fi and unlimited tea and coffee, while some also offer breakfast or lunch as part of their deal.

Rachael Kiss from Alliance Online, who works with the nation’s pubs and conducted the research, has provided three tips to make sure you get the most out of your money ‘WFP’:

Timing is key

Make sure to get to your chosen pub as soon as possible – aim to arrive during off-peak hours as this is when it will be less crowded.

Getting there during off-peak hours will not only prevent it from being too crowded, but it will ensure that you get the most out of your money to use the unlimited Wi-Fi and refreshments. Pubs usually open mid-morning, making it the prime time to begin your working day.

Understand your environment

If you’re opting to work from a pub, understand that your environment will be different to a designated working space. The nature of a pub is that there will be hustle and bustle whilst you work.

Recent research has shown that background noise may be beneficial to your work productivity, making working from a pub the ideal location to stay focused.

While some people may work effectively during background noise, some may not, so be prepared and bring headphones to block out any potential distractions.

Take advantage of the freebies

All the pubs we analysed provided unlimited Wi-Fi and a choice of tea and coffee throughout your stay – make sure to use these.

This is included in what you pay so it’s important you get the most out of your stay. For your hot drink, try to use one mug throughout your stay instead of using multiple. Minimising the use of multiple mugs helps streamline the dishwashing process, saving time and labour for the hospitality staff.