Global accountancy group PwC is encouraging around half its Bristol staff to return to its office in the city after installing social distancing measures.
The firm, which employs 580 at its regional base at Glass Wharf, pictured, said workers could begin to return on a voluntary basis after the easing of Coronavirus lockdown measures and the re-opening of schools this week. 
In line with other professional services firms, all PwC staff have been working remotely since the start of lockdown.
Physical distancing guidelines had meant only a small number could be accommodated at any one time since the office reopened two months ago, with priority originally given to those with a specific need to return.
However, following the introduction of revised physical distancing measures to ensure employee safety, capacity in the 37,150 sq ft office has now been increased to 50%.
Bristol office senior partner Tom Ayerst, pictured, said: “When lockdown started, we were very quickly able to make sure our people in the West region had what they needed to work from home seamlessly.
“The tools we invested in as a firm over recent years have allowed us to work flexibly, even before the impact of Covid-19, and our people have been productive and resilient in using this technology remotely for the best part of six months.
“But there will always be elements to our work that are more effective and easier to do in person. Now we are in a position where we can accommodate more people in the Bristol office, we are encouraging people to come back into office for part of the working week.
“We believe the future will be a blend of office, home and client-based working. We also have a responsibility to help support the local economies we work in and returning to the office will help achieve this.”
PwC’s West region extends from Swindon to Cornwall.
The PwC network includes firms in 157 countries and employs more than 276,000 people working in assurance, advisory and tax services.
