PerchSpace turns hospitality downtime into a resource, matching empty tables with New Zealand’s remote workforce. The platform is developed by Sean Foster and launched in March, the main goal of the brand is to utilise commercial spaces affected by changing work habits.
Utilising Underused Venues for Remote Work
Hospitality venues are finding a second life between the breakfast rush and lunch hour. PerchSpace enables them to rent out idle spaces by the hour, offering a flexible solution for freelancers and remote workers. “Think Airbnb meets co-working, but for everyday hospo venues and beyond,” says Foster.
The business model is gaining traction in New Zealand’s main centres, with growth planned regionally.
Driving Revenue with a Dual-Benefit Model
“My biggest goal with the PerchSpace platform is to give businesses another form of income to help them stay afloat,” Foster explains. One Auckland café is already earning up to $400 extra a week, while venues with meeting rooms can bring in $300 per day.
It’s not just cafés that benefit. A wedding venue listed on the platform now hosts pop-up restaurants, while a kitchen typically used for dinner service is rented out to an Uber Eats business during the day. “I would love more spaces like this, because there is demand for spaces that have multiple uses to them,” adds Foster.
Challenging the Traditional Co-Working Market
Traditional co-working spaces can charge upwards of $85 a day, often with lock-in contracts. Foster sees PerchSpace as a more agile and affordable alternative. “Remote workers or small businesses get to work in an attractive local spot — at a fraction of the price of the normal co-sharing workspace,” he says.
Users can browse and book spaces for specific needs: from a photography studio for product shots to meeting rooms or designated desks, all at pay-as-you-go rates. “A designated office might be $10 to $15 an hour, a private office a bit more. It’s all broken down on the platform,” says Foster.
Meeting Flexible Work Needs with Versatile Spaces
A shared workspace in Rosedale doubles as a play zone. Adventure Alley offers users more than Wi-Fi and desk space, thanks to PerchSpace. “As part of the daily rate you pay on PerchSpace you get a free day-pass for one child,” says Foster. “I love this because now parents can get their work done and also be closer to their kids.”
The platform’s adaptability is backed by a five-person development team and direct booking management for long-term clients.
Expanding Market Reach and Building Community
PerchSpace is currently being piloted in New Zealand, with Foster calling it the ideal test market. “By the end of 2025 we will be expanding into Asia — countries like Malaysia, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Indonesia — and we will launch in Australia next.”
The platform is also exploring a community-building element, with plans for networking events hosted at PerchSpace venues. “A social media expert might pay to base themselves at a café and they could work with the business owner to improve their social media coverage,” says Foster. “Isn’t that the real meaning of co-working?”