Regeneration of market towns like Aylesbury expected with hybrid working
A hybrid working set up could benefit local areas
Market towns like Aylesbury could see the benefits of regeneration as working life changes.
New network data from TalkTalk shows market towns have seen the most significant rises in internet usage during the pandemic.
This isn't a surprise with the rise of home and hybrid working a major contributor to this increase but the rise seems to be higher in market towns than city areas.
Research also shows less time in the office is allowing employees to consider new places to live, with market towns and commuter towns being top of the destination lists.
Leading anthropologist James Suzman says home working experiment has recharged rural life:
“The widespread adoption of homeworking has meant we have finally optimised the incredible technology that we’ve long had access to. We have only just begun as well... This time two years ago hardly anyone used video calling regularly and now look.
"There will be technology being developed now that will continue to change the way we work and now we can engage with that to look after employees. For years businesses have avoided flexible working, fearing financial ruin, but the past 18 months have proved that fear was unfounded.
“Hybrid working is regenerating rural communities: People are looking out for neighbours, shopping locally and spending less time commuting, all of which has obvious environmental, mental health and societal benefits.
"Market towns and commuter towns are benefitting from this for two reasons, people who would be travelling into cities are no longer having to and I can imagine they are happy to limit the return to that. But also I think there is some evidence of migration, people have realised for the price of a showbox in places like London they can find somewhere with space to work and live.
"I suspect over the next few years there will be further expansion of this migration as the map of full fibre internet expands as this is what will help hybrid working actually work."#
More than eight in 10 (86%) say their employees are in favour of flexible working policies, while 80% agree it’s a good idea for the business and employees; 85% expect to operate some form of hybrid working system in the future.
This aligns with the wishes of office workers, 80% of who say hybrid working is an important employment benefit, while 86% say a flexible working policy would be key to accepting a new job.