The Nando’s recipe for happy staff

Following our recent piece on award-winning London offices, restaurant group Nando’s has shown how much importance it places on having pleasant surroundings in which its staff can relax and work. 

All too often companies forget that their staff often spend more time at work, and hence at their desk and in front of a computer, than at home. Yet it is rare that time, thought, money and energy are spent on making those spaces conducive to a healthy and happy environment. And when we say ‘healthy’ we don’t mean the height of the desk in relation to the chair. Many companies either have no area for their staff to take a break, or if they do, it’s an afterthought, somewhere dark and grubby that actually encourages staff to stay at their desk; and yet frequent breaks and a lunch away from one’s office space and desk are reputed to actually improve productivity and create a happier workforce. 

Nando’s appears to have recognised this. The company has recently renovated its London headquarters with the help of the office design company Oktra. Oktra deals with anything from office space consultancy to interior design, branding to fit-out, and after Nando’s acquired additional space at its Putney headquarters, Oktra worked with the chain-restaurant giant to create a total office refurbishment, which included spacious break-out and social areas, with art on the walls, natural materials such as wood and leather, and splashes of colour.  

There are shabby-chic elements and design statements, plants and mood lighting, to help the office feel more like a café or even someone’s home, while reflecting the atmosphere of the Nando’s restaurants themselves. Part of what drove the design was the company’s ethical standards, which required the use of recycling and reclaimed materials throughout. 

The company’s intention was to bring all staff under one roof, over five floors, with each floor having a different function and design to reflect that. The rooms are open-plan, light and bright and are likely to generate envy from many other office workers. 

This news was brought to you by Morgan Pryce, a specialist tenant acquisition agent with offices in Oxford Circus and the City. Morgan Pryce specialises in search, negotiation and project management and works exclusively for tenants.