Although it had already been confirmed in 2006 that the show was not being recommissioned, a change in the law in the UK in 2007 banned indoor smoking in the workplace, meaning the existence of a smoking room would be illegal.
Manager Sharon's cigarettes are always much longer than those seen smoked by her subordinates.
The smoking room is B209 in the office.
The character of Robin is present in the smoking room throughout every episode, even if he does not appear on screen during a scene. Lilian, Barry, Sally and Annie all appear in every episode, but they are typically shown entering and exiting the room at various points.
Creator Brian Dooley revealed in the DVD commentary that he based the character of Robin on himself and the character of Sally on a close friend. He also confirmed that some of the other characters featured "elements" of people he knew in real life, but was deliberately non-specific, stating that his friend would be flattered to find out that Sally was based on her, but that others might not feel the same about less likeable characters.