If your business is on the up, you’ll find that working from your kitchen table won’t cut it anymore. You need to scale up, hire more people, and look for a shiny new office solution. But in a city as massive (and pricey) as London, where do you even begin?
I’m here to help. In this blog, I’ll share some of the top London areas where ambitious, growing businesses are setting up. Places with excellent transport links, local amenities, and that all-important access to talent.
How to choose your perfect office space in London
Which part of London is right for you and your growing business? Whilst some entrepreneurs dream of a private office in a sleek skyscraper in the Square Mile, others want a creative studio in a former riverside warehouse or a swanky space in luxurious Mayfair.
Think about how you’ll use the space, and how often. If you and your team only need the London office for meetings, rather than daily use, then hiring flexible office space or a co-working space may be more cost effective.
Otherwise, choose your serviced office or private office space based on the essential features your business needs to function and, importantly, the cost. Those must-have features may include technology and connectivity, security, accessibility, meeting rooms or event space.
As Phil and Kirsty have said for years, “location, location, location” is crucial. Finding your prime location in the right area can be pivotal for your business. It may enhance your reputation and brand image – “They have an office in Soho, don’t you know!” It may mean you’re in the right place at the right time to clinch that big deal.
The right office location can make your business more attractive to potential employees, clients and suppliers. I’d say the top three things to factor in would be:
1. Public transport links – make sure your office has easy access to transport. That’s a big pull for both clients and employees.
2. Local amenities – it helps if there are appealing cafes, eateries, pubs, or even gyms and interesting places to go nearby.
3. Work environment – if you prioritise your team’s work-life balance (and why wouldn’t you?), make sure your office is close to green space, has ample natural light, wellbeing facilities, and is accessible by all.
Top Central London locations for office space
1. Shoreditch
On the edge of the City of London’s financial district, Shoreditch is vibrant, commercial and cool. Home to brands with a bit of edge, it’s a popular area for creative companies and tech startups. Expect office spaces with exposed brick walls, cold brew on tap, and bold artwork. Plenty of them are both affordable and flexible, catering to the needs of growing businesses like yours.
- Transport: You’ve got train stations and tube stations with multiple lines. Liverpool Street, Old Street, and Shoreditch High Street all nearby. East London Line? Tick. Central Line? Of course. Elizabeth Line? Oh yes. There’s even the Hammersmith and City, District and Circle or Metropolitan lines running through here. That’s before we even start talking buses.
- Local amenities: Endless coffee shops, coworking spaces galore, vibrant markets, street food vendors and independent shops to explore.
- Talent pool: Designers, developers and marketers all hang out here. You’ll always find a creative on a Macbook in a local cafe. More and more techies are located here too. It’s just up the road from Old Street – aka Silicon Roundabout – the real tech centre of London.
2. King’s Cross
What used to be home to sex workers, drug dealers and industrial work is now a major hub for tech giants, startups, academic and cultural institutions. Google is here. So is Meta. You’re basically in Silicon Roundabout 2.0.
It’s also a major knowledge quarter, with two London universities, research organisations and science hubs. Add to that Sony Music, Universal Music and Louis Vuitton. It’s an exciting, growing business community round here.
- Transport: Kings Cross is one of the most connected locations in London. Alongside Kings Cross station, you also have St. Pancras and Euston. That means rail links to major UK destinations, as well as to Europe. Paris for lunch? Why not? And you have six tube lines to choose from and more buses than you can count.
- Local amenities: Granary Square’s a dream with riverside lunch spots, open-air terraces, and space to actually breathe. Coal Drop’s Yard offers smart shopping and eating options. And there’s a thriving arts and culture scene here too.
- Talent pool: With two universities, the British Library and big tech companies in the area, you’re sitting on a goldmine of smart, ambitious people.
3. London Bridge
Somewhat underrated and overshadowed by its neighbours, London Bridge is dependable, interesting and always delivers. It’s central, well-connected, and often less chaotic (and cheaper) than the City or the West End.
- Transport: You’ve got trains to all over the South East including Gatwick Airport and Brighton. Then there’s a healthy handful of tube lines – the Northern Line and the Jubilee Line – taking you north, south, east and west.
- Local amenities: If your team loves a walk along the Thames and you want great office options without the madness, this might be your spot. There’s foodie hotspot, Borough Market, as well as some cracking traditional pubs and after work social venues.
- Talent pool: You’ll find an interesting mix of people here. From hospitals to hospitality, media to finance, they all mingle around London Bridge.
4. Clerkenwell/Farringdon
Neighbours, Clerkenwell and Farringdon often come as a pair. They’re central but not too central. Cool but not unbearable. They’re like Shoreditch’s older siblings. They’re smart, fun and vibrant locations with easy access to the rest of London.
Clerkenwell and Farringdon are a wonderful mix of old and new. You’ll see the Smithfield Market butchers and Hatton Garden jewellers, alongside design, media and tech companies.
- Transport: The Elizabeth Line will take you from east to west in no time. You can also choose from multiple underground stations nearby. Your commuting team will thank you.
- Local amenities: There’s an abundance of restaurants, outdoor markets and cultural attractions within easy reach, as well as pubs with actual soul.
- Talent pool: Lots of creative industries are based here. You’ll find publishers, architects, developers, designers and media types.
5. Hammersmith
Want to go west? Try Hammersmith. It’s a bit of a dark horse and cheaper than many West End prime locations. Plus, it’s having a bit of revamp.
With leafy parks, decent lunch spots, riverside walkways, it’s just far enough from the madness to keep your team sane. Big companies like L’Oréal, Coca Cola and Disney have offices here for a reason.
- Transport: You’ve got four good tube lines and easy access to Heathrow Airport. Kensington Olympia’s a nearby train station. Major road links like the A40 and M40 get you out of London quickly.
- Local amenities: It still has the bustle of the city, but has great riverside walks and green spaces to help you unwind. You’ve got big shopping centres here (and Westfield’s up the road), as well as excellent eateries, pretty pubs, theatres and cinemas.
- Talent pool: A heady mix of commercial and creative talent can be found in Hammersmith.
6. Canary Wharf
Canary Wharf isn’t all suits and spreadsheets. Yes, it’s still home to some of the UK’s biggest financial services firms, but it’s now attracting start-ups, fin-techs, science types and even design agencies.
If you want that modern office infrastructure with river views and without the central London hustle, look no further than Canary Wharf. There’s a feeling of space around here. You’ll find modern skyscrapers with big and airy floor plans, high ceilings, swanky new builds, and waterfront views.
- Transport: There’s the Jubilee Line, DLR, Elizabeth Line and the Uber Boat, so you can get almost anywhere, fast.
- Local amenities: Five-star gyms, rooftop terraces, parks, and even a floating bookshop. It’s surprisingly fun after hours too.
- Talent pool: There are tons of finance, tech, and legal professionals nearby as well as the influx of creative types. Think of the networking opportunities.
7. Soho
Right in the heart of London’s West End, Soho’s a fun and diverse place to be. This area’s bursting with creative energy, media firms, fashion houses, and production companies. There’s always something going on. It’s buzzy and fast-paced. That’s perfect if your business thrives off energy and creative proximity. That said, offices here tend to be in high demand – and it’s easy to see why.
- Transport: Oxford Circus, Tottenham Court Road and Piccadilly Circus tube stations are all within walking distance.
- Local amenities: You’re spoiled for choice with endless cafes, restaurants and bars. It’s great for networking over cocktails, team outings to indie theatres and some of the best food in the West End.
- Talent pool: Soho’s awash with creative industries like media, advertising, retail and fashion. Then there are foodies, baristas, mixologists, sommeliers – you’ll find all walks of hospitality here.
8. Holborn
Holborn sometimes flies under the radar, but savvy business owners know it can be a top spot. It’s central, smart and seriously well-connected. You’re smack in the middle of legal, media and educational institutions.
It’s a strong choice for business owners who want prestige and practicality. You’ll bump into folk from both big firms and independent agencies.
- Transport: You’ve got the Central and Piccadilly tube lines here. And you can easily walk to Farringdon or Covent Garden for further choices.
- Local amenities: Lincoln Inn Fields offers the largest public square in the city or you can walk to Covent Garden and get lost in the crowds. There’s an array of bars, restaurants, coffee shops and gyms for however you want to spend your lunchtime.
- Talent pool: Known for being the home of the legal profession, Holborn now attracts a more diverse crowd. Sainsbury’s HQ is here, along with various publishing houses.
Supporting your growing business
Picking the right part of London for your growing business isn’t just about postcode bragging rights. It’s about making sure your team is happy, productive, and not stuck on a packed train for 90 minutes every morning.
My advice would be to think about where your clients are, where your people are coming from, and what kind of business you want to build. Then get out there and explore to see which places fit your needs.
Need help working out what makes sense for your next stage of growth? I’m here to help. Let’s chat
