There are plenty of places at Gatwick Airport’s South Terminal where you can work. However, finding a suitable spot where you can be productive can be a challenge when passing through the airport en route to your destination.
So much of our business travel outcome depends on our ability to meet with clients or suppliers as well-briefed, well prepared and productive representatives. Although, it’s not easy being productive when travelling. By changing our routine and work environment, we automatically alter our ability to work efficiently. Attempting to work when travelling can leave you feeling emotionally and physically drained if the environment, equipment or you are not entirely up to the task. Which is why you need to find a spot that will agree with your work preferences.
Everyone works differently. Some people prefer a quiet space without distraction while others desire white noise around them. Also, when you search for a workspace, you will need to consider the type of work you wish to undertake. Some spaces may be useful for quick emails or reading over your schedule. While other locations, due to lower footfall, might lend themselves better to documents demanding greater concentration or confidentiality.
When we reviewed Gatwick Airport’s South Terminal, we looked for alternative workplaces to the main thoroughfare seating and workbench areas. They were not easy to discover. While we found some ‘dedicated working spaces’, such as newly added quiet zones which offered workbenches, power points and good Wi-Fi receptions and we also looked for others which are more ‘relaxed working areas’, such as hideaway spaces in cafes and restaurants, more suitable for those who prefer white noise environments while having a bite to eat.
So, here are our top six spots for relaxed and dedicated working places in Gatwick Airport’s South Terminal.
Relaxed Work Spaces
If your work doesn’t require strict concentration nor is confidential in nature, and you need a few minutes over a refreshing drink or snack, while aware of the presence of others, then you might consider these options below.
Costa Coffee Café, Arrivals, Ground Floor
Having just landed and entered the Arrivals Hall, you could head straight to Costa Coffee. Fortunately, it has a quiet area at the back on the left of the service counter which has lower footfall than the tables at the front. Despite the busy nature of the Arrivals Hall at the front of the café, this is an area where you can work without a lot of distraction. There are several tables in front of the window and to the right of this area which have dual power points.
Costa Coffee Café – Hilton Hotel Entrance
Better still, if it is a quiet space you crave to work in, away from all the hustle and bustle of the terminal, then we suggest the other Costa Coffee Café in the entrance of the Hilton Hotel lobby is worth a try. This hideaway café lacks the same environmental chatter, offering a better chance to concentrate. It is only 500 steps from the Arrivals Hall and well worth the quick five-minute walk giving your circulation a little recovery workout. When we reviewed this café, there were several business people already working here. The tables on the left as you enter the café have several dual power points.
Beehive Bar and Restaurant, Departures, Third Floor
At the back of this bar and restaurant, towards the large window frontage, there is a long workbench which sits up to eight people. The workbench is at elbow height and hosts six dual power points underneath the worktop. It can be noisy during peak dining and flight times. However, you will have your back to the other diners so that any background distraction will be less of a concern here.
If you need a more secluded spot, then the back on the left is ideal. The tables are at elbow height, and the Wi-Fi is very strong with a link speed of 72 Mbps. There is also a power-point at the table next to the far wall.
Grain Store, Departure Lounge, Upper Level
Several people were working at the Grain Store when we visited. It wasn’t very busy, and they accommodate business travellers needing to work very well. The best time to work while dining here is after the breakfast rush.
There is a bench outside the front of the restaurant which seats four people and a large table just inside. You can work and charge your device here while observing the human traffic flowing past. However, it can be distracting during peak times.
A better option is to venture further into the restaurant where there are plenty of other tables. If you stroll down towards the back and turn right, you’ll find a couple of booth seats on the right-hand wall. During the afternoon it is usually very peaceful here.
Dedicated Work Spaces
If you require a more dedicated spot where you can concentrate more efficiently, but still prefer to have the company of others around as a ‘white noise’ then you might prefer the following public dedicated workspaces. Power points are available at these if you wish to charge your mobile devices at the same time.
Workbench in the Quiet Zone, Gates 1 – 5, Departure Lounge, Lower Level
Gatwick have recently introduced a Quiet Zone near gates 1 – 5. It is one of the best public areas in the South Terminal, post-security, to work as all the other workbenches are in the main through fare. As you walk into the Quiet Zone space (towards Gates 1 – 5), you’ll find a long workbench on the right-hand side which seats up to eight people and hosts eight dual power points.
When we visited, we found it had already become popular amongst business people to work here. Despite this, it remains exceptionally peaceful. There is also a lot of natural light from the windows opposite.
Regus Business Centre, Arrivals Hall
Regus Express Business Centre and Lounge is located on the ground floor of the Arrivals Hall. You can access Regus Business Centre via the lift next to Costa Coffee. Once here, you will find a workplace dedicated to those travelling on business. They operate a ‘drop-in’ service during weekdays.
For business travellers, it offers a productive work environment with excellent facilities in a distraction-free environment. In addition to plenty of workspaces, there are printing and fax facilities, meeting rooms, coffee making facilities and a kitchen with a microwave to heat up a quick meal. If you’re travelling early, then there is also shower facilities and breakfast facilities. Wi-Fi signal is their own and not reliant on the Gatwick Wi-Fi, hence it has an excellent signal with a recorded fast link speed of 65 to 72 Mbps.
The business centre is open from 6.00 am to 6.00 pm Monday to Friday. Free access to all Regus members. The cost for non-members using business lounge is £8 per hour (£32 per day). All beverages are complimentary.
We hope you find the workspaces we discovered as useful as we have. If you need to know more about productive working when passing through Gatwick Airport, then you can find more information in our Healthy Business Travel: an essential guide to Gatwick Airport’s South Terminal. There is also a guide for the North Terminal. Both are available from Amazon, Waterstones and WHSmith.
© Executive Travel Vitality 2018
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