Remote Workers Revitalise Coastal Communities

Creating the infrastructure to stay

Rather than commuting to city offices, remote workers are putting down roots, renting homes, enrolling children in local schools, joining clubs and co‑working spaces, and contributing skills that once flowed almost exclusively to major cities.

For some towns, the impact is already visible, with steadier trade for local businesses and high streets that no longer rely solely on seasonal tourism.

A spokesperson from the Langport Area Business Group in Somerset said the move makes the area feel "more active and lived in".

"Compared with a few years ago, weekday trade is stronger, which really matters for small businesses," the spokesperson from the Langport Area Business Group said.

"Cafés, shops and local services are seeing familiar faces more often, which builds both community and a more reliable income," the spokesperson from the Langport Area Business Group added.

In nearby Shepton Mallet, Sam Cunningham founded Distil Coworking to give remote workers a professional base without leaving the countryside.

"During and after Covid, there was a big swell of people moving to the countryside as they discovered different priorities and the opportunity to work remotely," Sam Cunningham said.

Distil Coworking offers a fully equipped office environment for freelancers, remote workers and small businesses, with members subscribing monthly for access to hot desks, a café and 3.5 acres of gardens.

Sam Cunningham, who launched the space last year, said it enabled people to "still be employed in roles that in the past might have required presence in a city office".

Sam Cunningham added that the rise in flexible working was attracting "a wide range of skills and professions" to areas that had previously struggled to hold on to professionals.

Although internet connectivity remains inconsistent in many remote areas, ongoing government initiatives to expand full‑fibre broadband aim to improve access.

These initiatives provide new opportunities for remote workers seeking a lower cost of living and more space outside major cities, while removing geographical limits on hiring.

Coastal towns beyond tourism

Coastal areas across the UK will also see a major investment boost this year through the government's Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund.

The £360m programme is designed to support fishing and seafood businesses and help revitalise coastal communities by improving skills and workforce retention.

Bayspace St Ives, which opened in Cornwall in 2023, is also helping to keep entrepreneurs local by supporting year‑round jobs to diversify the economy beyond tourism.

Bayspace St Ives was created by St Ives Workstation CIC, and the venue is based in a restored Grade II listed building overlooking St Ives Harbour, which had previously sat derelict for years.

Alex Hill regularly uses the space for "super fast internet, soundproof phone booths, and bouncing ideas over coffee" between members.

"Cornwall was always going to be the place where Alex Hill would end up, but Alex Hill needs to have the infrastructure around Alex Hill," Alex Hill said.

"Having these kinds of workspaces in places like this gives Alex Hill a whole new perspective on work. Alex Hill can just jump in the sea to refresh Alex Hill's brain," Alex Hill said.

"Being so close to the outdoors is really inspiring, and that can't help but creep into the way Alex Hill works, and the way the business works, because Alex Hill is happier," Alex Hill added.

'Important shift'

Prof Dimitrios Buhalis, from Bournemouth University, says remote working is "reshaping" rural and coastal economies in ways that "go far beyond where people choose to live".

"We are seeing a gradual but important shift from places being understood mainly as seasonal visitor destinations, to places that can support year‑round economic activity, social participation and knowledge exchange," Prof Dimitrios Buhalis said.

"It brings spending into local cafés, shops, accommodation, co‑working spaces, and community services – while also helping to retain or attract younger professionals who might otherwise move away," Prof Dimitrios Buhalis explained.

However, Prof Dimitrios Buhalis warned this transformation "needs to be managed carefully"; first addressing local housing affordability, digital infrastructure, transport links, and community integration.

According to data from the Office of National Statistics (ONS), remote working in the UK has more than doubled since pre‑pandemic levels in 2019.

Figures from the job services site LiveCareer reveal remote workers are typically searching for technology roles such as website and app development, copywriting and data analysis, alongside careers in marketing and finance.

LiveCareer data also revealed Spain and Portugal as the most sought‑after locations.

Remote working is also changing who can stay in work, and where they choose to live.

Faye Dicker founded a women's networking group called Freelance Mums in 2013, designed for mothers who run their own businesses or work remotely.

While rooted in Bristol, the community has grown to include numerous hubs across the South West, including Somerset, Devon and Southampton.

"We're seeing more mums in business choose to stay local, invest locally and build businesses that serve their local economy," Faye Dicker said.

"They are recognising they don't have to fit into rigid, traditional roles. Flexibility is no longer seen as a compromise; it's becoming a strength," Faye Dicker added.

"That's opening doors for many women who may have previously stepped away from their careers," Faye Dicker continued.

Faye Dicker added that remote areas are benefiting from this shift because people "no longer need to be tied to cities for opportunity".

For some, remote working has also enabled a more nomadic lifestyle.

Mother‑of‑four Nicky Maidment, from Filton in Bristol, lost everything when a fire devastated her home in February 2020.

Nicky Maidment saw the tragedy as an "opportunity" to travel the world as a digital nomad, spending months at a time in places like Australia, Bali, Malta, and Thailand.

"It's about seeing places you would otherwise not see if you were doing a 9‑5 shift, sat at your desk in the UK," Nicky Maidment, 66, said.

"You get to see a wider view of the world, and it changes your perspective on things when you see how other cultures live. It helps Nicky Maidment to grow as a person," Nicky Maidment explained.

Nicky Maidment is a therapist and can speak with her clients online from anywhere in the world, provided Nicky Maidment has access to a laptop and a "decent wifi connection".

Nicky Maidment added that spending money on food and long‑term rent helps mitigate the seasonality of tourism, bringing consistent revenue to local businesses.