How to Find the Perfect London Office for Your Business

"Failure to prepare is preparing to fail” – Ms Cornish, Yr 6 Maths….

References to my childhood to one side, London is a huge place, with more serviced, managed and leasehold offices than anywhere else in the country, the more you can narrow down your specifications, the quicker you can analyse the options on a deeper level.

There are no one-size fits all offices, every company has different requirements and preferences that need to be met. Equally, everyone will need to compromise somewhere, fortunately, as you're reading this article we can guarantee you won't have to compromise on how you've started the search!

We've created this guide to help you find the office your business needs to grow . By asking yourself these 5 questions, you should be able to define exactly what you are looking for. Then it is up to us to provide the best options across London and turn your dreams into a reality.

The most helpful question when starting your office search is what type of office is right for your business? There are various types of offices which have pros and cons for each business, it is about finding out what is the best fit for you.

Serviced offices, what are they and is this type of office suitable for your business? This is a workspace that can be rented on a flexible, short-term basis and offers inbuilt facilities such as clerical support, reception staff and Wi-Fi. A tenant pays an all-in cost per desk each month and will typically sign for a term of 12 months. The office space is fitted out and designed to the specification of the provider, enabling a tenant to simply turn up and start working. Serviced offices are great for smaller scale or start-up businesses who are looking for easy and flexible workspace.

Could a managed office be the one for you? This is similar to a serviced office, in that both provide flexible space that is operated by a separate party. However, the office is self-contained and can be tailored to meet the needs of the company. This set up comes with a premium fee and is therefore the most expensive option, but don’t let this put you off this hassle-free office type. A tenant is normally required to commit to term of 12 months but rather than pay per desk, a tenant pays for the amount of space they occupy. Managed offices are for companies who want the flexibility of a serviced office but still want to make it their own space.

You can search our live listings to get an idea of the best serviced or managed space for you.

If neither of these sound like a good fit, then maybe a leasehold office would be the perfect option. This is a self-contained office, usually an entire floor, meaning your employees have exclusive access to the workspace and dedicated amenities. Contracts generally last 3+ years, so you’ll need to be willing to commit to that office for a longer period of time – however, many larger and more established businesses prefer this element of security and stability. Leasehold offices usually suit established businesses who prefer long-term contracts which can prove to be more economical.

You can book a call with one of our team to talk through leasehold offices in more detail.

The price range of office space in London is vast, so it’s good to get a number in mind when looking for office space. Are you working with a strict budget or are you willing to pay for the right space?

If you are looking for something more budget friendly, then maybe a serviced office in a less expensive area will be a good way of cutting the costs. You could take look at offices in the City Fringe, where you will find some great options in Shoreditch and Hoxton.

Another way of saving money is deciding whether you want an all-in cost or an office where you are able to pick and choose your additional costs? Some people find it easier to have a maximum spend where everything is included, whereas others will be willing to spend more on things they deem necessary, such as meeting rooms.

When it comes to office space, a great way to refine your search is to decide on your dream location. Searching for workspace in London can be challenging, but there are a few ways to pick the best area for your office to thrive.

The area you decide can be a great reflection of your company, especially if you have clients visiting the office. Is there a prestigious street you want to present your business on or an area in close proximity to your target audience and clientele? Maybe an office tucked away in Mayfair is the perfect place to relocate or start your company?

The dreaded daily commute can make a bad start to anyone’s day, so why not find an office close to the station. Or if the majority of your employees commute from the same area, look for somewhere with easy transport links. This factor can really make a difference to recruitment and employee retention.

For some people, food is the focus, so being a doorstep away from an array of lunch options is a must! Do you fancy exploring street food in Borough Market or dining at your favourite restaurant in the city?

An office space can really capture the values and ethos of a business, so determining the style that you want to present to your employees and clients can be a deciding factor. The selection of office space in London means there is a style of office for everyone, so which one will you go for?

Are you a start-up tech company that wants glass walls, high-tech amenities with a modern finish or is an eco-friendly, open-space office more suitable for your business?

Other things to consider are the type of demographic that your business wants to network with. If your company is big on meeting new people, then a dynamic co-working space could be the perfect place to set up our business.

It is amazing how many amenities some offices have, and they can really make work feel like a home away from home. When deciding what office to choose, amenities may be the make or break for your new workspace. So, it’s a good idea to consider whether your business wants to prioritise amenities or are they just an added bonus?

Amenities can add great value to your work environment and increase employee’s morale, for those that like to keep fit, maybe an onsite gym, showers and bike-racks would be a nice addition to the office. Or if your business enjoys being social and needs space to unwind, you might require sufficient breakout space, a roof terrace, or even a games room (like this one in Blackfriars).

If your company holds regular meetings, then access to meeting rooms and phone booths will be essential when needing to have a private or formal conversation.

Big or small, it is no doubt that choosing an office space is a daunting task. So hopefully the pressure has been lifted after going through these key points and you feel comfortable about what your company is looking for. If this task proved more damning, why not ask a colleague to help lift the burden and get to the core of what is most suitable for you. When you’re done, we will be waiting to find you the best selection of offices across London.