An Edinburgh businesswoman has launched a 'work surfing' app which aims to connect remote workers with welcoming work spaces.
Nikki Gibson, a veteran of the hospitality trade, has launched SWURF to target the estimated 23.9 million remote workers in the UK.
With companies such as BP, Deutsche Bank and Ford Motor Company announcing more flexible working conditions, hybrid or remote working looks set to become a more regular practice.
SWURF was launched in Edinburgh before being rolled out to other major UK cities, with the aim of allowing workers to select from a range of venues to connect with others or just hep separate work from home life.
Gibson says the app is simple to use, free and will promote only safe and vetted host spaces.
The SWURF network is aimed at supporting positive working environments in the new post-pandemic world and promoting wellbeing through interaction and collaboration.
Gibson said: “Working from home this past year has shown employers and employees across the world that you don’t need an office to do your best work.
“With my experience and knowledge of venue sourcing, I wanted to create an app that would help remote workers to find welcoming spaces to work in whilst supporting venues such as hotels, restaurants and cafes looking to promote their facilities to this rapidly rising community.”
She said that recent reports had suggested that one in five workers have admitted to struggling with loneliness.
“There is no doubt that a positive company culture is strongly linked to mental health and wellbeing,” Gibson continued.
“For many workers, they will benefit from finding new places to meet with colleagues, for others they will be missing the connection of office working, they need to escape working from home or looking to avoid the distractions of kids at home.”
Confirmed host venues in Edinburgh include McLarens on the Corner, Boda Bars, Kimpton Charlotte Square Hotel, Moxy Hotel, Chaophraya and The Dunstane Houses, among others.
The app will be free for users to to download, with hosts paying an annual subscription fee.
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