Helical says firms will still want offices after the Covid-19 lockdown lifts

London property developer Helical on Thursday became the latest landlord to insist there will still be demand for new offices, despite the popularity of the current working from home model.

There have been industry concerns about whether companies will still want new headquarters in the future, due to how well many employees have worked from home during the lockdown.

But Gerald Kaye, chief executive of Helical, said: "It is our view that a large majority of businesses will continue to seek space for their employees to gather in a centralised working environment and that the draw of London, as a pre-eminent global city, will remain.”

He added: "We believe they will continue to seek well located and accessible buildings near large and modern transport hubs, served with the latest technology but with an increased focus on health and well-being within sustainable buildings."

The boss added that he expects tenants will want to have more modern buildings in the future, with sophisticated air conditioning, extra spaces to store bicycles, and contactless entry into properties using smartphone apps.

Helical saw the value of its estate rise 8% to £949.3 million in the year to March, boosted by a number of new rental deals.