The wide-ranging discussion, hosted by Peritus’ operations director Stene Jacobs and B&C’s managing director Caron Schreuder, looked at what the various stakeholders in the market had learned and what their expectations were for the coming months. 

The panel comprised of Nigel Whitehurst, partner at Gerald Eve; Alex Upton, commercial director at Hampshire Trust Bank; Gill Eaton, associate (town planning consultant) at Iceni Projects; Paul Henson, partner at Irwin Mitchell; and Brendan Geraghty, director at Geraghty Taylor. 

As part of the conversation, Brendan shared some of the outcomes of the research his architecture firm has conducted around the future of the office and the creation and acceleration of “the third space”.

“…In very simple terms, if we retain two meters [required distance], you will see a minimum of 50% reduction in your population in the office, but you'll need the same amount of space that you had to keep those people safe. 
“The office will have to be reimagined in many respects,” he added. 

Brendan’s work with several larger banks is following an approach where work is filtered into “office-critical stuff”, hybrid (some work at the office and some elsewhere), and routine work which can be done in any location.

On the topic of developments that are likely to remain after lockdown, Paul believes that some of the changes the courts have made, such as virtual hearings, may be here to stay as a viable option in certain circumstances.

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Alex expressed a hypothesis that the quality of household broadband may soon come under the same scrutiny as other standard requirements, such as EPCs and fire exits, to facilitate working from home. 

Among the sectors, retail is one that is expected to suffer particularly acutely because of Covid-19.

Much is being said about the repurposing of high street and town-centre assets and Gill was keen to stress the importance of getting it right, especially given what good quality accommodation has come to mean to so many during lockdown.

She said it would be “key to make sure that the flexibility that does come through enables those changes, but protects against things like substandard housing.

“It’s really important for the health considerations [of] those residents moving forward that that is maintained.

“…It will be great to see much more health and wellbeing emphasis in the planning system, bringing planning back to people. 

“It’s so focused on buildings, but actually the bedrock of the planning system is addressing health inequalities and health issues.”

When asked about whether we will return to pre Covid-19 conditions or if we should instead be looking to embrace opportunities presented in this new era, Stene highlighted some of the changes that are already happening. 

“…Zoopla had [a] report come out on Monday [that claimed that] enquiries are up 54%, but the majority of those [are in] the regions . . . Now, that doesn't mean London's going to empty out … [it] has been a global magnet for hundreds of years . . . but a lot of people have reset their lives.”

The full webinar, split into parts one and two, can be watched online.