Gosh, do you remember back in 2020 when we all thought WFH was the best idea ever?! While it might have been a nice change for some, it certainly wasn’t for everyone.

Pre 2020 it was relatively unusual to find a job that offered fully remote or hybrid working options, and now it’s fairly common. But this has left many professionals looking for local out-of-home options, at least some of the time, to get them out of the house and socialising a little.

Then when it comes freelancing, or running a small business, you tend to work wherever you can to get things ticked off your to-do list. That might be the sofa, or kitchen table, or some sort of office shed that was all the rage a few years back. But as your business grows and your team expands, you too may find yourself looking for a dedicated space to meet and collaborate to help ensure both your success, and sanity.

Co-working spaces offer an ideal solution for individuals and businesses that aren’t quite ready to hire a permanent office, but need somewhere productive to work, meet clients, and connect with other local professionals.

Since launching Unicorn Marketing in Ely in 2019, many of our best ideas have sparked while working as a team from the city’s fantastic community co-working spaces. We’ve recently moved into our first office (🥳), which we hope will give us a base to grow in a city which we love for its sense of community, and support of local businesses. Although our cafe-hopping, co-working days are mostly behind us, we want to share with you our five favourite finds for grabbing a latte, a desk, and some productive bliss.

1. Ely Work Collective

Ely Work Collective is a trendy and professional co-working studio in St Thomas’ Place, Ely, offering flexible hot desks, rentable meeting rooms, and a professional content creation studio. Having recently opened in 2025, this is the one-stop shop for remote workers, freelancers, creatives, entrepreneurs, and small businesses seeking a fully equipped and flexible workspace.

Its enviable array of facilities include high-speed Wi-Fi, free tea and coffee, parking, podcast studio, sound-insulated phone booth, presentation screens, air conditioning, and breakout areas.

The venue also hosts networking sessions, workshops, coworking events, and entrepreneurial meetups, including “Side Hustle Saturday” and “Coffee and Co-Working.”

2. Ely Work Hub

This co-working space is designed to be a flexible home away from home for remote workers, freelancers, entrepreneurs, and small businesses needing somewhere to “work, connect, and collaborate.” There are 12 hot desks and two bookable meeting rooms available on a flexible basis. Book a desk by the day, week, or month, or meeting rooms by the hour, half day, or full day.

If you’re a freelancer, this venue is the perfect spot for a productive day away from home, so all you need to do is plug in your laptop, grab a tea or coffee, and soak in the friendly atmosphere. 

Ely Work Hub is also ideal for a small team looking for somewhere affordable to host client meetings, workshops or presentations.

3. The Yard

Whilst not exactly a co-working office space, The Yard in Ely might be just what you need if you’re a freelancer or business owner after an informal and bustling community feel. Located just a short walk from Ely station, it’s the perfect spot if you’re travelling and need somewhere to catch up with emails whilst enjoying a tasty meal and genuinely the best coffee in the county (maybe the country!).

This independent social hub is based in Ely’s growing business and leisure quarter and includes a coffee bar, drinks bar, kitchen, a dessert kitchen (yes, really!) and private events venue. 

You’ll often see local workers relaxing at its tables, enjoying the outdoors/indoors hybrid that the venue is famous for in the city – so you’ll be in good company. They describe their venue itself as “a place where Ely comes together”, so if the isolation of home working has led you to this blog, The Yard could offer the connection you’re looking for.

4. Apex Coffee Ely

This independent coffee shop is located within Lancaster Way Business Park in Ely/Witchford, and has plenty of parking and EV charging points, making it a convenient stop for commuters and business park workers. 

If you’re after a quiet place to work, outside of the hustle and bustle of Ely town centre, with laptop friendly tables and excellent coffee, this is the place for you. With summer finally here, the ample outdoor seating offers a cool spot to grab an ice cream or homemade cake and get some work done with no distractions.

5. The Cafe at Ben’s Yard

Just outside Ely at Stuntney Estate, Ben’s Yard provides a rural, open haven for those wanting a slower kind of work day where you’re not just chained to your laptop. With easy, free parking, and a spectacularly designed venue, this cafe used to be our top-spot to gather and work.

At Ben’s Yard, you’ll find a tranquil community space with independent shops, food, events and outdoor spaces, as well as The Cafe. With comfortable seating, tasty coffee, WiFi, and beautiful decor, The Cafe is a great option if co-working to you means short focused bursts of productivity, followed by a wander around an interesting estate and a bit of fresh country air. 

So there you have it, those are our top-picks! But should you find yourself at home or in a coworking space stressing over your branding, marketing, website or design work, why not give the Unicorns a call? We offer a free initial consultation so that we can learn about your business and discuss how we can help you to succeed.