Coworking has moved from a start-up novelty to a mainstream way of working. The UK flexible workspace market now includes roughly 6,000 centres, with London hosting the largest concentration of flexible offices in Europe, according to Instant Offices data from 2025. As the market matures, operators are increasingly targeting specific communities. In the United States, women-only clubs such as The Wing generated huge publicity and waiting lists, prompting a wider question: could women-only coworking spaces London actually thrive?

Why women-only coworking is gaining attention

The original appeal of women-only workspaces is straightforward: a professional environment built around women’s needs, free from the everyday sexism that many experience in traditional offices. A 2024 TUC survey found that 60% of women in the UK have experienced sexual harassment, bullying or verbal abuse at work. For women founders and freelancers, who often work alone or in male-dominated sectors, a women-only space can offer safety, solidarity and a ready-made network.

Beyond safety, these spaces promise community. Women in Business Networks UK are consistently cited as one of the most valuable resources for women founders, and women-only coworking spaces combine desk space with events, mentoring and peer support. For many members, the value lies as much in the introductions made over coffee as in the Wi-Fi and meeting rooms.

The economic case is also strengthening. ONS figures from 2025 show there are around 1.6 million self-employed women in the UK. The Alison Rose Review of Female Entrepreneurship estimates that up to £250 billion could be added to the UK economy if women started and scaled businesses at the same rate as men. Yet the Rose Review Progress Report 2024 noted that all-female founder teams received just 2% of UK equity investment in 2023, underlining why accessible, community-led support matters. As women in business facts make clear, demand for flexible, supportive workspaces is only likely to grow as more women choose self-employment or launch businesses.

How women-only coworking spaces London are evolving

London is not starting from scratch. Long before The Wing opened in New York, the UK had B.Hive, a women-focused business lounge that launched in London in 2009 and later expanded to Manchester. Although B.Hive no longer operates in its original form, it proved there was appetite for a more female-centred workspace.

More recently, AllBright has established itself as a women-only members’ club and workspace in Mayfair, combining coworking with a calendar of events aimed at women founders. The Wing itself launched in London in 2019, only to close a few years later amid wider questions about the sustainability of its model. These experiences suggest that while demand exists, a London version must be carefully priced and programmed to survive.

UK equality law adds another layer of complexity. The Equality Act 2010 generally prohibits service providers from discriminating on the basis of sex. While there are limited exceptions for single-sex services, running a commercial coworking space that entirely excludes men could face legal challenge. That is why many UK operators describe themselves as ‘female-focused’ or ‘women-centric’ rather than women-only, welcoming male allies while centring women’s experiences.

What women founders value in coworking

Even where spaces are not women-only, coworking can address several pain points for women founders. Renting a desk or private office on flexible terms avoids the long leases and upfront costs of a permanent office. It also allows business owners to scale up or down quickly, which is particularly valuable when setting up as self-employed.

Perhaps most importantly, coworking provides a professional community. Deskmag’s 2024 Global Coworking Survey suggests that women now make up around 40% of coworkers globally, up from roughly a third in the early 2010s. As the share grows, mainstream coworking spaces are under pressure to design environments and events that work for women as well as men.

For women juggling caring responsibilities, some flexible workspaces go further, offering on-site childcare or family-friendly hours. These features are not exclusive to women, but they disproportionately affect women’s ability to work, making them a powerful draw. Free childcare hours for working parents are also available to eligible self-employed mothers, which can help manage costs, though eligibility rules apply.

Why male-only coworking spaces are unlikely

The short answer is: probably not. Attempts to create men-only workspaces have generally been met with criticism and commercial failure. A male-only space launched in Brisbane in 2016 was widely condemned for ignoring the historical and ongoing disadvantages women face at work, and it closed shortly afterwards.

Men already occupy the majority of senior roles and board seats, and they are less likely to experience harassment or exclusion in conventional offices. A men-only coworking space therefore solves a problem that does not really exist, while risking reinforcing the very inequalities the workplace is trying to move beyond.

The future of women-only coworking in London

Women-only coworking spaces could certainly find an audience in London, but the model needs to evolve. The pandemic showed that physical space alone is not enough; members want programming, networking, childcare, flexibility and fair pricing. Spaces that combine a female-focused community with inclusive legal structures and genuine business support are most likely to succeed.

Whether the future is strictly women-only or simply women-centred, the underlying trend is clear: women founders want workspaces that recognise their realities. As London’s flexible office market continues to grow, the operators that meet that demand will be the ones that prove women-only coworking spaces London can work at scale.

Next steps for your business

• Visit at least two female-focused coworking spaces in your area before committing to a membership.
• Check whether the space offers childcare, mentoring, networking events or funding introductions that match your business stage.
• Review the membership contract for hidden costs, notice periods and access hours.
• Factor the cost into your cash-flow forecast; desk space is an allowable expense if it is wholly and exclusively for business.
• Use the community as more than a desk; attend events and ask for introductions.