London is a global hub for commerce, with countless businesses ranging from household-name multinationals to exciting high-growth start-ups calling the capital home. Not all areas in London are made equal, though, and some are better-suited to certain business sectors than others.
We’ve created the following list to highlight some of the best business areas in London, what makes them unique, and why you might want to consider them if you’re thinking of moving your business to a new office space in the capital.
The City Of London
The City of London, also known as the Square Mile or more simply, the City, is one of the most sought-after business locations in Greater London. It’s home to some of London’s oldest and most prestigious buildings and businesses, and is synonymous with the UK’s financial sector.
Despite its reputation in the financial sector, and the high office space price tags that come with that reputation, the City still has plenty of appeal with small businesses. It’s regarded as the primary business district in London and has a thriving business sector that’s made up of 90% small to medium enterprises (SMEs).
And, given its centrality in the context of Greater London, it benefits from some of the best transport connections in the capital. It’s served by the Central, Circle, District, Northern, Waterloo & City, Hammersmith & City, and Metropolitan lines, along with National Rail connections at Liverpool Street.
Midtown
London’s Midtown is a relatively new invention, at least in terms of its name. It’s sandwiched in-between the City and the West End, made up of boroughs including Holborn, Bloomsbury, and Clerkenwell, and was unnamed until 2005 when the Midtown Business Improvement District (BID) launched.
Regardless of what you call it, Midtown offers a compelling array of cultural attractions, thanks to the diversity of the areas that make it up. But it’s also got business pedigree, with a historical association with the legal sector and a recent influx of tech-focused businesses including Skype and Yahoo.
And it’s one of the best connected areas in London, with the Northern, Victoria, Piccadilly, Central, and Elizabeth lines all offering routes to elsewhere in the capital. In sum, Midtown’s offering makes it a great location for businesses large and small, spanning a wide range of sectors.
The West End
The West End, one of London’s most famed areas and home to some of the most attractive cultural destinations in the UK, is the cultural opposite to the bustling City. But despite its differences, it’s an equally compelling option for businesses seeking office space in London, thanks to the great transport connections and thriving business community.
It’s in high demand with businesses spanning a diverse range of sectors, from finance to tech, with many notable FTSE100 resident businesses including BFI and Sony Entertainment. Alongside the corporates, there are also plenty of creative start-up businesses that call the region home.
As you’d expect, the West End is extremely well-connected by public transport, with the District, Circle, Central, and Victoria lines all passing through. And with Victoria and Paddington stations providing National Rail links, the West End is easily reached from anywhere in the UK.
King’s Cross
King’s Cross, while technically part of London’s Midtown region, is worth considering as a business area in London all on its own. In fact, it’s one of the fastest growing business districts in the capital, with a developing reputation as the new hub of all things tech.
The entire area is still undergoing significant regeneration, which makes it a dynamic and exciting choice that offers a lot of potential for growing businesses. But it’s already well-established as a commercial hub, and businesses that choose King’s Cross for their office space in London will be neighboured by titans including Google, Facebook, and Sony Music.
And, of course, King’s Cross benefits from great transport connections that make it easily accessible from elsewhere in London and the broader UK, with both King’s Cross and Euston station offering plenty of intra- and inter-city rail routes.
Shoreditch
Finally, Shoreditch is a great choice of location for creative businesses looking to immerse themselves in a vibrant community that’s fast-growing. It’s characterised by the diverse range of businesses it attracts, from small startups to established creative corporates, and has a growing reputation for hosting tech firms.
Shoreditch’s key strengths, however, aren’t necessarily related to the neighbours you’d share with an office there but instead the huge array of cafés, galleries, and markets that attract daily visitors. These nearby amenities make the area a perfect fit for businesses that want to base themselves out of an office with plenty to do nearby.
And while it’s not as well-connected as some of the other entries on this list, Shoreditch is served by several stations on the London Overground line which offers routes southwards towards the City, Midtown, and the West End.[MB1]
How to choose where to base your business in London
London’s sprawling network of boroughs, areas, and commercial hotspots presents a challenging proposition to businesses looking to move there. The variety of choice is so overwhelming that it’s difficult to pin down what area is the best bet for your specific business.
However, you can narrow down the options by using some simple criteria to filter your search, including:
- Cost: Certain areas of London, including the City, Canary Wharf, and the West End, command a much higher office rental price than others, thanks to their reputation and tangible business benefits. Before you decide on an area, consider how the average cost of an office there balances against the value the area offers.
- Office availability: London offers the most choice of office space of any city in the UK, with a huge range of serviced offices, coworking spaces, and flexible workplaces to choose from. But some areas are more appealing to businesses than others, and therefore more competitive, which can make finding the right space for your business more difficult. Consider whether a smaller, less reputable area can offer a better fit for your workspace needs if you get stuck.
- Transport connections: Although lots of businesses have adopted hybrid or remote working policies, how long it’ll take your employees to commute to the office is still an important factor in its suitability. Look for an area that has great transport connections to minimise the strain on commuters.
- Area relevance: If your business operates in a specific sector, like law or tech, certain areas in London will be a natural fit for you thanks to their historical and current associations with the sector. Basing yourself in these sector hotspots will mean you’ll be rubbing shoulders with other similar businesses, which can lead to new opportunities for collaboration.
If you’re in the market for a new office space in London, get started with your search by checking out The Boutique Collection. It’s made up of 30+ beautiful flexible workplaces across London, each one offering high-quality serviced offices. And if you need support in your search, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us for more guidance on how to choose the perfect area for your business in London.
