A new study has revealed the best UK areas for late-night workers, with Westminster topping the list.
Experts at QR Code Generator calculated the percentage of libraries and cafes open past 5pm in each UK area. The locations with the highest percentages then determined the final ranking.
The study found that Westminster is the best UK city for late-night workers, with 59.32% of the area’s cafes and libraries open past 5pm. According to the study, 50% of the area’s cafes are open beyond 5pm, making it an ideal location for workers and students looking to extend their nine-to-five working days.
Hounslow is named the second-best location for late-night workers, with 54.93% of libraries and cafes open past 5pm. The study found that all 11 of Hounslow’s libraries are open past 5pm, making it one of the top locations for those looking to work into the night.
Edinburgh is in third place, with 54.79% of the city’s cafes and libraries open past 5pm. 24 out of Edinburgh’s 28 libraries are open past 5pm, making it a perfect location for students with late-minute deadlines.
Redbridge is in fourth place, with 54.22% of libraries and cafes within the borough open past 5pm. The study sampled 70 of the area’s cafes and discovered that 34 of these are open beyond the typical nine-to-five working day.
The top 10 best UK areas for late-night workers:
- Westminster – 59.32%
- Hounslow – 54.93%
- City of Edinburgh – 54.79%
- Redbridge – 54.22%
- Glasgow City – 53.26%
- Coventry – 52.05%
- Belfast – 51.95%
- Richmond upon Thames – 51.32%
- Greenwich – 50.75%
- Barking and Dagenham – 50.70%
Glasgow is crowned as the fifth-best city for late-night workers, with 53.26% of the area’s libraries and cafes opening beyond the nine to five working day. 27 out of Glasgow’s 33 libraries are open past 5pm, making the city one of the top locations for working into the night.
Coventry is sixth in the ranking, with 52.05% of the city’s libraries and cafes opening beyond 5pm.The study sampled 55 of the area’s cafes and discovered that 24 of these are open past the typical nine to five working day.
Belfast is named the seventh-best UK city for late-night workers, with 51.95% of the area’s libraries and cafes opening beyond the standard nine to five hours. The study found that 22 of the area’s 27 libraries are open past 5pm, making Belfast a prime location for meeting late-night deadlines.
Richmond upon Thames appears in eighth place, with 51.32% of the area’s libraries and cafes opening after 5pm. Out of the town’s 61 sampled cafes, 29 were open past 5pm. making Richmond upon Thames one of the top locations for late-night workers.
Greenwich is in ninth place in the ranking, with 50.75% of the borough’s libraries and cafes exceeding the standard nine to five opening hours. Ten of the area’s 14 libraries are open well into the night, making Greenwich one of the ideal locations for night owls.
Barking and Dagenham is crowned the tenth-best location for late-night workers, with 50.70% of the area’s libraries and cafes opening beyond nine to five. Out of the borough’s 59 sampled cafes, 34 were open past 5pm, making the location a go-to for those looking for a coffee fix to get through the night shift.
Meanwhile, Blackpool is named as the worst location for late-night workers in the UK, with only 16.90% of the area’s cafes and libraries opening past 5pm. The study found that none of the city’s nine libraries are open beyond the typical nine to five working day, making Blackpool a challenging location for those looking to work into the night.
Sheffield is named the second-worst location for night owls in the UK. Only 18.82% of the city’s libraries and cafes exceed the standard nine to five opening hours. Out of the city’s 56 sampled cafes, only 11 are open past 5pm.
Similarly, Aberdeen is crowned the third-worst location for late-night workers, with 23.44% of the city’s libraries and cafes open past 5pm. The study sampled 48 of the city’s cafes and discovered that only 12 of these are open past the standard nine to five hours.
Marc Porcar, the CEO of QR Code Generator, commented on the study: “While some people find themselves at their most productive during the start of a new day, others may find that they get more work done once the sun goes down. To make the most out of your working day, it’s hugely significant to recognise the time of day in which you’re at your peak level of productivity.
“The evenings are often a fantastic time to get work done, as they provide a quieter environment with fewer distractions. Late-night libraries and cafes offer an excellent atmosphere for those looking to escape distractions, making them hugely beneficial for productivity. They are essential for individuals who, for whatever reason, cannot work at home.
“Because of this, it’s important for cities to accommodate late-night workers, particularly during the ongoing rise of remote and freelance working. It’s particularly significant for students to be given the option of working into the night because their working days are often bombarded with lectures and seminars.
“This being said, it’s important to look after your mental well-being when working at night and set limits for yourself. Continuously pulling all-nighters and working into the early hours can often result in burnout, so it’s important to be conscious of this when you start making late-night work sessions a regular habit.”
