Manchester’s work culture has changed dramatically over the last decade. From the rise of co-working hubs in Ancoats and the Northern Quarter to tech firms filling Grade A offices in Spinningfields and MediaCity, the city has become a magnet for modern, collaborative businesses. But with open-plan offices, hot-desking and hybrid working comes one big headache: noise.
As teams grow and workplaces become more flexible, finding somewhere private to make a call, jump on a Zoom meeting or concentrate on deep work can be surprisingly hard. That’s where the humble soundproof phone booth has quietly become one of the smartest investments offices in Manchester are making.
The problem with open-plan spaces
Open-plan offices were meant to encourage creativity, collaboration and a sense of togetherness. In many ways, they’ve done exactly that. But they’ve also introduced a few issues:
- Constant background chatter makes it difficult to focus.
- Online meetings disrupt people working nearby.
- Sensitive conversations – HR meetings, one-to-ones, client calls – are often held in spaces that don’t feel private.
- Meeting rooms are permanently booked, even when all someone needs is 20 minutes of quiet.
For businesses in Manchester’s competitive sectors – tech, media, professional services, start-ups – this isn’t just an inconvenience. It affects productivity, client relationships and even staff wellbeing.
Why phone booths work so well
Soundproof work booths are designed to solve this exact problem. They provide a small, self-contained space that blocks out surrounding noise and stops sound leaking out. That makes them ideal for:
- Video calls and client meetings
- Interviews and private discussions
- Deep-focus tasks like coding, writing or strategy work
- Hybrid teams who rely heavily on virtual collaboration
Unlike traditional meeting rooms, they’re compact, flexible and can usually be installed without major building work. For landlords and office operators in central Manchester, this means they can significantly improve the usability of a floorplate without losing much lettable space.
A good fit for Manchester’s flexible workplaces
Manchester’s office scene is increasingly geared towards shared, serviced and co-working models. Spaces need to adapt to different tenants and team sizes, often at short notice. Adding a soundproof phone booth or two is a quick way to:
- Upgrade the workspace without a full refurb
- Offer a premium feature that tenants will actually use
- Reduce complaints about noise and lack of privacy
- Improve the appeal of the space in listings and viewings
For employers, booths can help support flexible working policies by making it easier for people to drop into the office and know they’ll have somewhere decent to take calls or get focused work done.
Persy Booths: A local-friendly option
Among the companies supplying office phone booths, Persy Booths has been gaining attention, especially with businesses looking for a balance of quality, design and practicality. When Manchester offices search for a soundproof phone booth that looks good, performs well and doesn’t require a complete fit-out, Persy Booths is emerging as a go-to choice.
Persy Booths focuses on booths that are:
- Highly soundproofed – so calls stay private and external noise is minimised
- Comfortable for real work – with ventilation, lighting, power sockets and space for a laptop
- Stylish but understated – fitting into modern Manchester offices from exposed-brick loft spaces to sleek corporate environments
- Flexible to install – ideal for both long-term offices and shorter-term leased or serviced spaces
For offices in and around Manchester looking to upgrade without a complete redesign, dropping in a set of Persy Booths can be a fast, visible improvement that staff will notice immediately.
Supporting wellbeing as well as productivity
Noise isn’t just a productivity issue; it’s a wellbeing issue too. Many people feel drained after a day of constant interruptions and background noise. Having somewhere to step away, close the door and gather your thoughts can make a real difference.
Phone booths can:
- Reduce stress by giving people more control over their environment
- Make neurodivergent staff and those sensitive to noise feel more supported
- Provide a quiet space for personal calls or a moment of calm
- Allow managers to hold difficult or sensitive conversations in a more private, respectful setting
In a city where attracting and retaining talent is increasingly competitive, these kinds of small but meaningful improvements matter.
A smart move for Manchester’s future offices
As Manchester continues to grow as a business hub, the office of the future is unlikely to be rows of desks and a couple of big meeting rooms. Instead, it will be a collection of different zones: collaboration areas, social spaces, focused-work zones and private call points.
Soundproof phone booths fit neatly into this vision. They’re:
- Scalable – add more as teams grow
- Reconfigurable – move them if you replan the floor
- Tenant-friendly – an attractive perk for companies choosing a building or workspace
- Hybrid-ready – perfect for a world where video calls are here to stay
For landlords, workspace operators and businesses across Greater Manchester, investing in booths from specialists such as Persy Booths is a relatively straightforward way to keep pace with changing working patterns and expectations.
Final thoughts
Manchester’s workplaces have never been more dynamic – or more demanding. As open-plan layouts and hybrid working continue to dominate, creating quiet, private spaces is no longer a luxury; it’s essential.
By integrating solutions like a soundproof phone booth into offices, and looking to providers like Persy Booths for well-designed, high-performing pods, Manchester businesses can offer their teams the privacy, focus and professionalism they need – without sacrificing the open, collaborative spirit that has helped the city thrive.
