Network Rail to make office space available at London train stations

The first offices under the £40 million deal will be developed at London's Paddington station, in Macmillan House. The offices will provide a range of flexible office sizes and are expected to accommodate up to 250 people.

The offices have been designed to offer a shared or private working area and will include meeting rooms, fast broadband and receptionists to deal with mail, telephone and switchboard enquiries, Network Rail said. Users will also have the option of extending membership to include use of The Office Group's other properties.

Network Rail has said that all profits from its commercial activity will be re-invested in the railway, limiting the cost to tax payers and passengers.

"We are constantly looking for ways to improve our stations and unlock the commercial revenue they retain," said David Biggs, Network Rail's director of property."The network of drop-in office space created through this innovative joint venture will provide a new and convenient service at stations."

"Every year the trend for mobile working is increasing. To meet this demand, we have teamed up with an organisation that sees a huge throughput of mobile workers across its rail terminals," said Charlie Green, Office group's co-chief executive. "With excellent transport links, the offices will also be the perfect venue for larger corporations who may be experiencing an overflow of staff and need space to accommodate key employees."

The offices are due to open in mid-2012 and the joint venture hope to take advantage of the busier transport networks expected during the Olympic Games. The rail hub office will give employers in games travel hotspots a place to base their employees during busy periods next summer, the joint venture said.