Coworking, private office or virtual office: which is right for your business?
Coworking, a private office and a virtual office solve different problems. This guide sets out what each one is, who it suits, what it typically costs around Manchester and Salford, and what to ask before you sign.
If you are starting a business, outgrowing the kitchen table or moving a small team out of a larger office, the choice usually comes down to three options. They are not interchangeable: each one solves a different problem, and the right answer depends on how you work more than on price alone.
The three options at a glance
| Coworking | Private office | Virtual office | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What you get | A desk in a shared space | A lockable room for your team | An address and post handling |
| Best for | Founders and solo operators | Teams of about 2–6 | Remote or home-based businesses |
| Privacy | Low to medium | High | Not applicable |
| Commitment | Day pass to 12 months | Usually months, often a year | Usually monthly |
| Pricing | Per person | Per office | Per plan |
Coworking
What it is
A shared workspace where you pay for membership rather than renting a room. Most spaces offer some mix of hot desks (any free seat), dedicated desks (your own desk in a shared room) and day passes, with meeting rooms, kitchens and Wi-Fi shared between members.
Who it suits
Founders, freelancers and people running a business on their own who want to get out of the house, keep regular hours and be around other people. It also suits anyone who works mostly on a laptop and does not need to leave equipment or paperwork out overnight.
Things to weigh up
The atmosphere depends heavily on who else is there. A drop-in space with day passes can feel different every day, which some people like and others find distracting. Phone and video calls need somewhere to go. And a hot desk means packing up at the end of each day.
Private office
What it is
A furnished, lockable office inside a managed building, usually let on a monthly licence rather than a traditional lease. Bills, internet, cleaning and access to shared facilities are normally included in one monthly price, though that varies by provider.
Who it suits
Small teams that need to talk freely, take calls without worrying who is listening, keep equipment or files on site, or have a room that feels like theirs. It is also the usual next step when a founder on a coworking membership starts hiring.
Things to weigh up
You pay for the room whether or not everyone is in. Check exactly what “all inclusive” covers, how many people the room really suits (desk count and square footage both matter), and how much notice you need to give to leave or move to a bigger room.
Virtual office
What it is
An address for your business without a desk. Plans range from a registered office address for Companies House and HMRC, through a business address you can put on your website and invoices, to packages that add mail scanning, forwarding and some meeting room time.
Who it suits
Businesses run from home that want to keep their home address off the public register and their invoices, and companies that work remotely but need a professional address in a particular area. Our guide to registered office address rules explains what Companies House requires.
Things to weigh up
A virtual office does not give you anywhere to work. Providers must check your identity before your address goes live, and Google’s rules generally do not allow a virtual office address for a Google Business Profile.
What they cost around Manchester and Salford
These are typical ranges from published prices we checked in October 2026, excluding VAT. Prices change, offers come and go, and “from” prices often refer to the smallest or least flexible option, so treat them as a starting point.
| Option | Typical range | Ministry of Work |
|---|---|---|
| Coworking (flexible or hot desk) | About £100–£240 a month; day passes about £20–£30 | Not offered |
| Coworking (dedicated desk or membership) | About £150–£300 a month | Workclub: £350 a month, 12-month membership |
| Private office | From about £165 a month for the smallest rooms; about £300–£370 per desk in the city centre | From £1,400 a month for 2–6 people, all bills included |
| Virtual office (address only) | About £10–£40 a month | Registered Office: £25 a month |
| Virtual office (with extras) | About £60–£160 a month | Business Address £60; Virtual Office £150 a month |
The headline price is only part of the picture. Parking, meeting room time, refreshments, internet, out-of-hours access and the length of the commitment can all change the real monthly cost, so compare like with like.
For a private office, divide the price by the number of people who will use it. Our 162 sq ft office at £1,400 + VAT a month works out at about £233 per person for a team of six, or £700 each for two.
Questions to ask before you sign
- What exactly is included? Bills, internet, cleaning, refreshments, parking, meeting room time, post handling.
- What are the access hours? Is it 24/7, or staffed hours only?
- How long is the commitment, and what is the notice period?
- Who else works here? Can you meet some of them, or visit on a normal working day?
- Where do you take calls? Are there quiet spaces or phone booths?
- How easy is it to get to? Think about parking, public transport and how far your team and clients will travel.
- Can you move between options? If you hire, what happens when you need more room?
How we do each at Ministry of Work
Ministry of Work is a private work club in a restored 1891 chapel in Swinton, Salford, near Worsley, Eccles, Walkden and Pendlebury and about five miles from Manchester city centre, with free parking.
Coworking: the Workclub
Our Workclub is a committed membership rather than hot-desking. Membership is by application, costs £350 + VAT a month on a 12-month membership and includes 24/7 access. We do not sell day passes or hot desks, so you work alongside the same founders and business leaders every day. You can read some of their stories on our members page.
Private offices
Our private office is 162 sq ft, fully furnished and suits a team of 2–6 people, from £1,400 + VAT a month with all bills included. Private office teams get the rest of the work club too. Space is limited, so ask about availability.
Virtual office
Our virtual office plans start with a Registered Office address at £25 + VAT a month, then Business Address at £60 and Virtual Office at £150 (both + VAT a month). We check your ID before your address goes live, as the law requires.
Meeting room
Whichever you choose, our meeting room seats 6–8 people and is available by the half day (£150 + VAT) or full day (£250 + VAT). The chapel can also be hired privately for workshops and events by enquiry.
