Despite the recession, one firm has reported an upturn in profits – due to the growing number of people deciding to work from home.

Alton Garden Buildings, based in Warwickshire, says sales of garden buildings for those who work at home are booming. It says an increasing number of remote workers are choosing the semi-permanent structures in order to be able to enjoy the benefits of working from home without some of the distractions which they might find in the house.

Figures from the Office for National Statistics show that 3.5 million people in the UK now work from home, a 1.2 million rise since 1997. This represents an annual increase of 86,000. Popular jobs for homeworkers include sales and marketing, manufacturing and web-based roles.

Neil O’ Sullivan, sales and marketing director at Alton Garden Buildings, said, “Our customers have said they start working from home, but find their dining room table provides inadequate space and the home can also bring many distractions. That’s why they look to invest in modern garden offices – they offer a certain level of detachment, can be used as an excellent working space, and the commute to the garden is certainly more appealing.”