For the Autumn edition of City AM The Magazine, Dr Eliza Filby surveys the footwear landscape Back in the 1990s, the image of a corporate woman rushing to the office with trainers hastily slipped over tights - formal footwear stashed in a bag or left under a desk - was ubiquitous from Canary Wharf to Kuala Lumpur. But like cash payments and regular trips to the cinema, the pandemic put paid to that.
The world of work has changed dramatically in the past decade, and catering has quietly evolved alongside it. Once considered a simple logistical necessity, food has become a tool for shaping workplace culture, encouraging collaboration, and even signalling corporate values. Looking at how catering is changing provides a useful glimpse into the wider shifts taking place in the modern workplace.
London's transport strikes have driven a surge in demand for flexible offices, with workers increasingly choosing to base themselves closer to home rather than commute into the city centre or remain entirely remote. Data from International Workplace Group (IWG), the world's largest provider of flexible workspaces, shows a 43 per cent rise in visits to outer London locations during the four days of Tube strikes between 8-11 September.
Remember Jacob Rees-Mogg, Brexit opportunities and government efficiency minister, lurking round Whitehall offices to leave sarcastic printed cards on any empty desk: Sorry you were out when I visited. I look forward to seeing you in the office very soon. With every good wish? The following year his government ordered the entire civil service to attend the office a minimum of 60% of the time.
The office that works today may not suit in a few months with more staff or changing routines. Choosing flexible options that meet current needs and allow for future growth takes smart planning and awareness of both short-term priorities and longer-term goals.