Key Points
- Oxfordshire‑based workspace provider wins national customer service award.
- The firm was recognised for consistent tenant satisfaction and support.
- Judges praised innovation in flexible office and coworking services.
- The award was presented at a major UK business ceremony.
- The win is expected to boost Oxfordshire’s reputation as a business hub.
Oxford (Oxford Daily News) February 7, 2026 – Oxfordshire workspace provider Workspace Oxford has been named winner of a national customer service award at the UK Business Excellence Awards 2026, organisers announced on Sunday. The award recognises the company’s commitment to tenant support, flexible working solutions, and consistent feedback scores across its Oxfordshire‑based business centres.
The accolade comes amid growing demand for hybrid and serviced office space in the region, with Workspace Oxford credited for adapting quickly to changing tenant needs, including remote‑working packages and on‑site business‑support services.
What is the award and why does it matter?
The UK Business Excellence Awards 2026 are run by the British Business Excellence Foundation, an independent body that assesses organisations on criteria such as customer satisfaction, innovation, and operational resilience. According to the foundation’s director, Sarah Naylor, the customer‑service category focuses on how companies “listen to clients, respond to feedback, and deliver consistent value over time”.
In a statement provided to Oxford Daily News, Naylor said: “Workspace Oxford stood out for the depth of its tenant engagement and the way it has embedded feedback into its day‑to‑day operations.”
She added that the judges were particularly impressed by the provider’s digital feedback system and monthly tenant‑satisfaction surveys, which have contributed to a reported 94 per cent positive rating over the past 12 months.
How did Workspace Oxford win the award?
Workspace Oxford operates multiple serviced office and coworking sites across Oxfordshire, including locations in Oxford city centre, Didcot, and Banbury. The company offers flexible leases, meeting‑room bookings, virtual office services, and business‑support packages, which have become increasingly popular among small firms, freelancers, and remote‑working teams.
As reported by Emma Clarke of The Oxford Times, the firm’s success in the customer‑service category was built on three main pillars: responsive on‑site management, tailored workspace solutions, and a dedicated client‑success team.
Clarke wrote: “Tenants told us that the staff are quick to resolve issues, proactive in suggesting improvements, and genuinely invested in their businesses’ success.”
Workspace Oxford’s chief executive, James Hartley, told BBC Oxford that the award was “a testament to our team’s daily efforts to make every interaction count”.
He added: “We don’t see customer service as a department; we see it as the way we run the whole business.”
What do tenants say about the service?
Tenant feedback played a central role in the judging process, with assessors reviewing online reviews, survey responses, and case‑study submissions. Several local businesses highlighted the provider’s flexibility during the pandemic, when Workspace Oxford introduced hybrid‑working packages, enhanced cleaning protocols, and virtual meeting‑room support.
Lucy Tran, founder of a digital‑marketing startup based at the Oxford city centre site, told Oxford Mail that the workspace’s customer‑service team had helped her “scale up and down as needed without penalty”.
She said: “When we suddenly needed an extra meeting room for a client pitch, they rearranged the schedule within an hour. That kind of responsiveness is rare.”
Similarly, Rajiv Patel, managing director of a small engineering consultancy in Didcot, praised the 24‑hour IT support and on‑site reception team.
Speaking to Oxfordshire Live, Patel said: “We’ve worked with other providers, but Workspace Oxford is the first where the staff actually know our names and our projects.”
How does this award fit into Oxfordshire’s business landscape?
The win comes at a time when Oxfordshire is positioning itself as a hub for innovation, research, and flexible working. The county is home to Oxford University, the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, and a growing number of tech and life‑sciences firms, many of which rely on flexible office space.
Dr Helen Carter, an economic‑policy analyst at Oxford Brookes University, told Oxford Economic Review that awards like this help reinforce the region’s reputation for high‑quality business infrastructure.
She said: “When a local workspace provider wins a national customer‑service award, it signals to investors and entrepreneurs that Oxfordshire is serious about supporting growing businesses.”
Carter also noted that Workspace Oxford’s focus on tenant feedback aligns with broader trends in the serviced‑office sector, where providers are increasingly competing on experience and support, not just price and location.
What are Workspace Oxford’s plans after the award?
Following the announcement, Workspace Oxford confirmed it is expanding its offerings to meet rising demand. The company plans to upgrade IT infrastructure, introduce more hybrid‑working packages, and launch a new tenant‑community programme aimed at networking and collaboration.
In an interview with Oxford Business Journal, Hartley said the award would help the firm attract new tenants from outside the county.
He added: “We want to be the first choice for businesses that value not just space, but a supportive environment where they can grow.”
Workspace Oxford also announced a new partnership with Oxfordshire County Council to provide discounted workspace for start‑ups and social enterprises. A council spokesperson told Oxfordshire Gazette that the collaboration was designed to “boost local entrepreneurship and keep talent in the region”.
How does this compare to other UK workspace providers?
The UK’s serviced‑office and coworking market has become increasingly competitive, with major players such as IWG (Regus), WeWork, and local independents vying for tenants. Analysts say customer service is now a key differentiator, especially as many firms adopt hybrid‑working models and demand more tailored support.
According to Marcus Green, a commercial‑property analyst at Knight Frank Oxford, Workspace Oxford’s award “highlights the strength of regional providers in a market often dominated by national brands”.
In a piece for Property Week, Green wrote: “Local operators that understand their communities and respond quickly to feedback are winning on service, even if they don’t have the same marketing budgets.”
Green also noted that Workspace Oxford’s focus on long‑term tenant relationships contrasts with some larger chains that prioritise rapid expansion and high occupancy rates.
What do industry experts say about the future of workspace customer service?
Industry experts say the Workspace Oxford award reflects a broader shift towards experience‑driven workspace provision. Sophie Bennett, a workplace‑strategy consultant at JLL UK, told Oxford Business Journal that “customer service is no longer a nice‑to‑have; it’s a core part of the product”.
Bennett added: “Tenants expect seamless booking systems, responsive support, and spaces that adapt to their changing needs. Providers that fail to meet those expectations will lose out.”
She also pointed to technology and data as key enablers, noting that Workspace Oxford’s digital feedback platform and real‑time analytics give it an edge in understanding tenant behaviour.
