The Office Group sees post-EU poll jitters boost demand for flexible space

Millionaire entrepreneur Lloyd Dorfman may have been an ardent Remainer, but he has now said the vote to leave the European Union has been good for his flexible workspace business as he revealed a spate of new London lettings.

The chairman and majority shareholder of The Office Group said Olympics Games sponsor Coca-Cola and insurance firm Swiss Re were among 98 companies that have agreed post-referendum deals to take space with the firm.

Existing occupiers include Facebook and Santander.

“We will wait to see how it plays out in the long term, but the early evidence shows that Brexit has been good for us because the uncertainty around what will happen has made flexible office space more attractive,” Dorfman said.

He added: “At the moment companies are more comfortable committing to shorter leases.”

The strong leasing momentum follows a buoyant period of growth for the company, which has 31 buildings in the capital.

Its sales jumped 62% to £54.3 million in the year to December 31, while pre-tax profit rose to £15.4 million from £11.6 million.

The firm was helped by London’s army of smaller businesses taking space, he added.

SMEs employing up to nine people account for 26% of its workspace.