Montreal’s employers and government officials are preparing to roll out the red carpet, but it’s not celebrities they seek. They’re courting the 310,000 office workers whose patronage is vital to the survival of downtown restaurants and retail stores, and who’ve mostly been away for 15 months.
Even as the city reopens after months under curfew, Montrealers have grown fond of working remotely: 76% said in an April survey they want to continue to spend at least half their workweek at home. At the same time, employers are rethinking the raison d’etre of the office and considering new perks.
Ideas under consideration include art installations in office towers and food courts, outdoor work spaces, after-work events and concierge services, according to the Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal. The group received C$8.5 million ($7 million) from the Quebec government to coordinate efforts in a campaign called “I love working downtown.”
“This really is a major charm offensive,” Chamber President Michel Leblanc said in an interview. “The goal is to get people to say ‘I want to go downtown, I’m going to work and discover all that’s going on, all that’s new.'”
https://leaderpost.c...s-back-downtown
Edited by Victoria Watcher, 07 June 2021 - 06:17 AM.