Best Serviced Office Locations in London
Renting an office in London doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg. While traditional leases may be out of budget for many companies, especially SMEs and startups, flexible serviced offices can be a far more cost-effective office solution that also offers a range of benefits.
In this article, we'll take a look at some of the best locations for you to rent an office space in London to help you get the most bang for your buck. But before we get to the list of the best serviced office locations in London, we need to explain what exactly serviced offices are.
Serviced offices explained
Serviced offices are fully-furnished and all-inclusive office spaces which are managed by a provider. These private offices can be rented for a single, fixed monthly fee which covers absolutely everything: the space, desks, Wi-Fi, utilities, front desk, security, cleaning, maintenance, toilets, meeting rooms, printing and copying, breakout areas, and sometimes even free tea, coffee, and snacks. In short, it's absolutely everything you need to run a business but with none of the hassle. Pretty neat, right?
Serviced offices tend to be located in a business centre. There may be many offices in one building and they might share some spaces and facilities like breakout rooms and lounges or meeting rooms as well as a single building reception. However, the office itself is private.
Who are serviced offices for?
Serviced offices can suit a wide range of businesses because they are highly flexible and available in many price ranges. Usually priced by the desk rather than square foot, these offices can suit anywhere from a handful of people to 200 employees.
Many large and small businesses alike choose serviced offices because of their hassle-free nature and high levels of flexibility. Renting a serviced office means that you don't need to worry about reception, security, maintenance, cleaning, or more. You can just leave that all to the office provider and focus on your important work.
Plus, the workspace is already furnished and ready for use, so there are no delays before you can move in. There are no expensive upfront costs for furniture and decor as a result, meaning that serviced offices are ideal for medium and small businesses working with tight budgets.
How much do serviced offices cost?
The price of serviced office spaces can vary substantially, but renting these offices is often far cheaper and more flexible than a traditional office space. Because everything is included in a single pay-as-you-go fee, budgeting is easier and there are no expensive upfront costs. Plus, serviced offices are often more efficient to run than traditional offices which means that their prices can be far cheaper, even in desirable locations such as London.
What's the difference between serviced offices and coworking spaces?
Serviced offices are sometimes confused with another type of flexible office space: the coworking space. While both are a super flexible type of furnished office space lease which is usually priced by the desk, the key difference between the two is that serviced offices provide private offices while coworking offers communal workspaces. In a coworking space, your team will work from a big workspace full of people from lots of different businesses and you may have a permanent desk or you may use hot desks that change each day. In contrast, in a serviced office you have your own office space which is private, although you may still share facilities such as breakout areas and meeting rooms.
If you're not sure which type of office space is best for you, check out our blog about coworking vs serviced offices.
Now that we've explained everything you need to know about serviced office spaces, let's get to the list of the best locations for serviced offices in London.
Mayfair
With historic Georgian buildings, luxury shops, and easy access to beautiful Hyde Park and Green Park, Mayfair is known for being one of the most prestigious areas of London. While traditional office leases can be through the roof in this well-known neighbourhood, serviced offices provide a more cost-effective way to make a statement with your office locations.
Mayfair's nearby green spaces mean that your staff can enjoy an escape from the hustle and bustle of the city on their lunch breaks, while world-famous restaurants and bars provide hard-to-beat options for after-work drinks and impressive client dinners. Plus, as a cultural hub with institutions such as the Royal Academy of Arts nearby, Mayfair is undeniably one of the best locations in London to locate your business.
Plus, an office space in the heart of Mayfair means easy access to the rest of the city thanks to great public transport links via the Jubilee, Piccadilly, and Central lines.
Shoreditch
Trendy and creative, Shoreditch offers a great atmosphere that will attract young talent to your organisation. Already home to many startups and freelancers in a range of creative and tech-related fields, Shoreditch is an ideal place to find a serviced or semi-serviced office space for your team. It's well connected via the Northern line and London Overground, while busses and cycle routes make it easy to get around the city.
Packed with independent shops, cafes, and bars, Shoreditch is the perfect place for your after-work drinks and lunchtime strolls through the city. It's undeniably one of the coolest neighbourhoods to locate your team and rents for serviced spaces are not too expensive.
South Bank
The star of south London, the South Bank and Waterloo areas are great up-and-coming locations for serviced office rental. With great transport links via Waterloo Station as well as the Jubilee, Bakerloo, and Northern lines, this area just south of the river is well-connected and trendy. The South Bank has a great cultural scene with the Tate Modern, Royal Festival Hall, BFI, and National Theatre, while restaurants, bars, and street food in the area make it a fun and vibrant place to be.
Similarly to the other locations on this list, the South Bank can be an expensive place for traditional leases, but serviced offices allow for more cost-effective and flexible short-term leases. For any brands looking for a great new location in sought-after south London, this is an excellent option.
Farringdon
Known for its many media and tech companies, bustling Farringdon is a popular office location in the City of London. Boasting some great restaurants and bars, this historic neighbourhood has a lively nightlife scene for exciting after-work drinks and meals.
Renting a serviced office in this part of central London means easy access to excellent transport links including Farringdon station and the Circle, Metropolitan, and Hammersmith & City lines.
Holborn
Office space in Holborn may not seem easy to come by, but there are a variety of office space providers in the area offering stunning serviced offices for businesses of all sizes. As a prestigious and well-connected part of London, Holborn is home to many legal and financial services companies and has transport links via the Piccadilly and Central Lines.
Lincoln's Inn Fields and Gray's Inn Gardens provide peaceful escapes from the busy city, and the area also boasts the British Museum. With a range of fabulous restaurants and cafes, working in this part of London is popular among many people and is a great place for your next serviced office.
Battersea
Rising to new popularity recently with the opening of the new Battersea Power Station development and tube station, Battersea is an up-and-coming area of south-west London where many businesses are choosing to rent serviced offices. Well connected and home to the beautiful Battersea Park, it's a popular area among many media and tech companies. Plus, the recent redevelopment in the area means that it is now home to many brand-new restaurants, facilities, and amenities that your team can enjoy.
Find your new office today
While conventional office leases in London can be very expensive, opting for serviced offices with flexible and short-term contracts is far more cost-effective. This means that more businesses can access amazing office spaces in central London which offer great transport links, excellent culture and nightlife, and superb access to public transport.
To find your new London office, we're here to help. Our free office brokerage service helps our clients find the best offices on the market, access exclusive deals, and negotiate the best prices. Get in touch today to find out more about the best London serviced offices for you.