Astroturf and standing desks – is this Brighton’s healthiest workplace?

A Brighton tech company has installed standing desks, astroturf and ping pong tables in a bid to become the city’s healthiest workplace.

Hyve, a managed hosting provider, is investing £95,000 in its offices at The Colour Rooms on Richmond Parade.

The newly refurbished office has also been equipped with state-of-the-art standing desks for all employees, following a recent trial.

It’s the latest initiative from the firm, which since moving from Crawley to Brighton in 2015 has offered staff regular yoga classes, a bike to work scheme and healthy lunches delivered to the office, all provided by Hyve.

As part of the office refurb, staff have also been given filtered monitors to ease the risk of eye strain and headaches, adjustable monitor arms and a Herman Miller chair, designed to improve posture.

The company’s office environment now also features a chill-out area and a roof terrace allowing to relax and enjoy recreational activities, such as table tennis, virtual reality games and barbeques.

Co-owner Jake Madders said:  “It’s easy for employers to claim they are creating a healthy office environment, but it takes commitment and investment to make a real difference.

“This is part of a long-term plan to ensure health and happiness are part of everyday life here at Hyve.

“We’ve made these changes with the objective of creating the healthiest office environment in the region – we’re already seeing lots of positive feedback from the team and exciting new ideas for the future.”