Why’s it so hard to think of a venue when you’re put on the spot? There are endless amazing places to meet up with prospective clients in London, but I often resort to the same old coffee shop when I have to name somewhere.
But when you want to impress a prospective client, there are some suitably splendid venues for your meeting. I’m not talking about swanky restaurants or upmarket cocktail bars here. I mean meeting places that give you something to talk about without being overly busy. You want to be heard, and to be able to hear them too.
As a business coach, my priority is my client (or potential client). I always want to meet somewhere I can focus fully on what the other person’s saying. I want to learn about where their business is at now, and where they’d like it to be. So, here are some of my favourite places to meet a prospective client in London.
Impressive buildings with a ‘wow’ factor
If you’re meeting someone for the first time, it helps to have an ice-breaker or conversation starter. By meeting in awe-inspiring surroundings, you have instant things to talk about.
- The Barbican Conservatory (Barbican): Yes, there’s the creative cultural space which makes a good place to work or meet. But the tropical garden is something truly special. It feels exclusive and totally removed from the city. Check opening times as it’s free to visit on certain days.
- The Royal Exchange Courtyard (Bank): In the courtyard of this imposing, historic setting, you’ll find a beautiful open-air space. Given the unpredictable British weather, it helps that the courtyard’s covered. The bar here is Fortnum & Mason no less. A coffee here feels rather special.
- Somerset House Courtyard (Strand): Year round, Somerset House is a picturesque space with neoclassical architecture. It can get super busy in winter when the ice rink is in place, but it also looks picture perfect then too. Sitting out in the courtyard in summer is truly sublime.
Outdoor spaces for a scenic meeting
I’m a fan of walking and talking. I’ve had some of my best conversations with clients that way. Grab a coffee to go and wander around a stunning London location whilst getting to know your potential client.
- The South Bank: The stretch of the River Thames by the National Theatre and South Bank Centre, along to Tate Modern is so scenic. Plus there are plenty of benches and informal seating areas to use too.
- St. Dunstan in the East (Tower Hill): If you’re meeting in the City, this is a hidden gem. There’s a stunning secluded garden set within the ruins of this old church. It’s convenient, yet enchanting. And it’s surprisingly quiet given its location.
Inspiring cultural venues
London is awash with arts and cultural institutions. Most of them are free to visit, and they tend to have great cafes too. These are a few favourites.
- National Theatre (South Bank): Not only is this a wonderful place to see some drama, it’s a great meeting venue too. There’s always lots of seating and the wifi’s reliable too. It doesn’t get overly busy, so you can easily have a conversation with your potential client.
- The Great Court at the British Museum (Bloomsbury): This is a breathtaking indoor space under a glass roof. It’s perfect for relatively quiet conversations.
- Tate Modern’s Viewing Level (South Bank): Located on the top floor of the Blavatnik Building, the viewing platform offers spectacular 360° views across London’s skyline. Expect a creative buzz and enthusiastic atmosphere.
- V&A Museum’s Courtyard (South Kensington): The V&A’s stylish outdoor space is both cultural and calm. On warm days, sit outside beside the water feature. The impressive cafe is an inviting alternative, although it can get busy.
Luxury hotel lobbies
This may sound like an eye-wateringly expensive option, but you can generally use hotel lobbies for free. Soak up the exquisite decor and ambience for the price of a cup of tea.
- The Ned (Bank): The former majestic bank has retained its grandeur in its current guise as a hotel. The lobby provides an open space with beautiful interiors where you can meet casually without needing to order.
- The Ham Yard Hotel (Soho): For a stylish yet relaxed setting, head to Ham Yard. The lobby area has cosy seating which is conducive to introductory chats.
- Rosewood London (Holborn): This stunning lobby feels upscale and quiet. It’s great for professional meetings.
- The Hoxton (Shoreditch or Holborn): The trendy Hoxton has a beautifully-designed lobby with an informal atmosphere. It’s a cool place where you can sit and discuss without the expense of fine dining.
Professional places
- Google Campus (Shoreditch): Surround yourself with techies and students in this vibrant Shoreditch venue. It’s a modern, cutting edge space where you can meet up and network. It’s free to use, but you may need to register.
- Institute of Directors (Pall Mall): For something more polished and professional, this members-only business venue has meeting rooms, workspaces and restaurants. Unlike a lot of co-working venues, this is housed in an elegant Grade I listed building designed by Regency architect, John Nash.
Let’s meet and chat!
If you’d like to meet up in London, I’d love to get to know you and your business. It’s important that your business coach is a good fit for you, and an introductory meeting is the perfect way to find out. Please get in touch.
