Co-working spaces in Cardiff can help lower energy bills this winter

From coffee to workshops and affordable day passes, here’s what the city’s co-working sphere has to offer in the cost-of-living crisis

girl sitting in cafe
Dakshita Chandra, 22, often works from independent cafes around Cardiff. Photo Eszter Gurbicz

With winter approaching and bills rising, Cardiff co-working spaces are once again the hottest spots in town.

The city is home to a variety of co-working spaces such as work cafes and hotdesking offices that can provide a comfortable place and even free coffee throughout the day.

Last winter many chose to work from cafes instead of their homes in order to escape soaring energy bills.  

Under the current price cap, it is estimated that the typical bills will still be more than 50% higher than in winter 2021-22. This might leave remote workers looking for affordable alternatives again.

The Welsh capital, where three in ten employees are estimated to be working remotely according to CIPD, is home to several co-working spaces which range from quiet to collaborative.

Cafes such as Uncommon Ground, KIN+ILK and Ffwrnais provide strong wifi, a warm space and a lively, social environment.

Dakshita Chandra, 22, works as a social media manager. To avoid the monotony of remote working, she likes to explore cafes with a co-working group she found on Facebook.

“We try to go to a different cafe every time, and it’s really nice to be able to socialise and have some friends around even though we are not doing the same kind of work”, she said.

big yellow sign saying 'but first,coffee'
Recoupe Café & Bar, Atlantic Wharf, is a great co-working space that opened earlier this year. Photo Eszter Gurbicz

Co-working offices, while costing more than a cup of coffee, are another alternative for those who are looking for a space with like-minded people.

The Venetian restaurant Bacareto offers quiet co-working during the day in their dining room, with day passes starting at £6.50.

Tramshed Tech is another popular co-working hub which offers half-price day passes on Fridays for £10.

Their offices provide a great place for community building as well as offer a variety of activities, events and workshops, said Lucy Hopkins, head of comms, marketing and brand at Tramshed Tech.