Sign of the times: Is Brighton Becoming Britain’s Leading Work-From-Home Hub?

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Brighton is quickly becoming the leading city in the UK where people are choosing to work from home. From the lifestyle to the vibrancy of the city, we look into why so many people are choosing to live and work here.

Sunny Brighton has become a WFH hub with its small but vibrant community
Image by Cintia Siqueira

Holiday, pension, benefits, and last but not least, flexibility, they’re top of every job seekers list and a hybrid working week is the MO.

So has Brighton become the go-to spot for professionals not wanting to sacrifice the city salary and networking opportunities but craving the culture and slower lifestyle Brighton has to offer?

Emily, 25, commutes to London three times a week and works in the charity sector but has stayed in Brighton because of the lifestyle.

“I think I’d find it so overwhelming (London), but here there is just so much to do and it’s so fun.”

With the myriad of cafes, the Lanes, independent venues, and event spaces all over Brighton, it’s unsurprising that commuters, remote teams, and freelancers are like moths to a flame to the culture on offer here, making it the perfect place for someone looking for a better work-life balance.

Get lost in the Lanes on your lunch break
Image by Sarah Zhouri

But what affect does this have on the community here, are the remote workers adding to Brighton’s vibrancy or diluting it?

Andrea, 53, owns one of Brighton’s independent cafes, Blend and Brew.

He has found that while he likes the business they bring, he’d rather the conversation of friends catching up over the digital nomads and freelancers taking up shop in the window seats of his café.

“You know, it all depends on the type of customer.

“Sometimes, if they come in, are chatty, they smile, it’s great.

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“But a lot of the time they come in like it’s their home, laptop open, bag on another seat.

“They don’t spend much either.

“You know, the students, they spend like £15-£20 and they’re lovely too.”

On the weekend, if the café is busy, Andrea will ask the remote workers to leave to make way for a chattier patron.

Ronnie, 23 and Andrea, 54 behind the cosy counter of Blend and brew café on Trafalgar st.

Sophie, 25, was born and raised in Brighton, commuting to her job in the Horticultural Society in London before making the move in September.

She noticed a change in the cafés before leaving, noting signs in windows asking for no laptops on the weekend.

“People have always been worried about Brighton changing, and you know what, it has.

“I remember when I came home from uni and went to Hove, and it was so different, so gastro-fancy with all these new eateries everywhere.

“But I don’t think that’s a bad thing.

“Brighton is growing, so it’s changing, but the summers here are so unique.

“It’s like everyone suspends all other activity, and it becomes so celebratory.

“We get so many stag and hen dos that I really do think it’s the tourists that change Brighton, not the residents.”

Members of Platform 9 can enjoy shared creative spaces to get away from their usual desks at home

Spaces such as Platform 9, offer its members office spaces for like-minded people and creatives to share ideas.

The paradox, of course, is why pay a premium for an office space when you could just use the office?

The answer perhaps lies in the industries relying heavily on remote work, such as tech.

According to the UK’s Office for National Statistics, sectors such as tech and finance have seen much higher levels of remote work in comparison to others.

Brighton’s appeal extends beyond its picturesque setting, as spaces similar to Platform 9 like Projects in the Lanes offer more than just desks.

These hubs combine productivity with creativity, hosting gigs, workshops, and networking events throughout the week.

They’re not just offices; they’re vibrant communities that bring together professionals from across industries.

Picture this: an hour at 1 o’clock doesn’t have to mean rushing through another sandwich at your desk or queuing at Pret.

Instead, it could be a stroll along the pebbled beachfront, soaking in the sea air before returning to a shared space buzzing with energy and ideas.

Brighton is more than a city—it’s a lifestyle, where the lines between work and play blur seamlessly.

For digital nomads, freelancers, and remote teams, it’s a haven that balances productivity with creativity and connection.

Does this sound like you? Share your thoughts and recommendations by commenting under this post or visiting the socials linked below.

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