The John Lewis store on Oxford Street – Shutterstock
The news that parts of John Lewis's flagship store on London's Oxford Street could be turned into office space shows how businesses "will need to remain nimble" in uncertain times, according to some in the industry.
The high-end department store which has its flagship base on Oxford Street since it opened in 1864 could be turning almost half of the building into office space as the company tries to come up with ways to safeguard itself against losses and return to profit.
The John Lewis Partnership secured the conditional planning permission from Westminster City Council on Tuesday evening.
Raj Krishnamurthy, CEO of Freespace, said: "Organisations of all sizes will need to remain nimble given the highly unpredictable situation and the constant threat of additional outbreaks."
Krishnamurthy believes "a data-led approach can support this and ensure longevity when it comes to business continuity and workplace safety and compliance".
He added: "This insight, gleaned from workplace technology, can support business leaders in their plans to dramatically alter their commercial real estate to comply with social distancing measures. Space bookings and occupancy sensors which are linked to cleaning systems and processes can also provide a highly effective and visual reassurance of internal Covid-19 control measures."