Establishing a new business in London? Finding the right space for your startup can be a challenge. Here are three locations to seriously consider.
King’s Cross: Google’s New Home
Google’s future UK HQ, King’s Cross, London, UK – photo credit: KingsCross.co.uk
King’s Cross, together with the wider Midtown area, has been gaining increasing interest over the last year or two from larger companies within the tech industry. Google is due to open its new London HQ here in 2016/17, and between now and then we can expect the area to get plenty of attention from the media and developers alike.
But it’s not all about state-of-the-art business premises for large corporations. King’s Cross is home to a selection of business centres which are set up to accommodate small and new businesses. There are also several further centres scheduled to open within the new King’s Cross Central development.
For those businesses looking to make the most of Google’s arrival in King’s Cross, now is the time to start looking for an office here.
The Docklands: Affordability and Investment
Docklands skyline – photo credit: William Warby
Away from the shining towers of Canary Wharf, the Docklands is home to a wide range of more affordable office space, making it well worth a look for new businesses. Space is typically found within refurbished warehouses or more modern purpose-built premises. As well as offering functional, affordable space, you may find that some of the offices in this area come complete with onsite parking; something which can be pretty scarce in Central London.
Beyond affordability, the Docklands is also set to benefit from more than £1bn in investment to transform it into the capital’s third business district. The first scheme will be a new development at the Royal Albert Dock which is aimed at attracting Chinese and Asian businesses and expected to generate 20,000 jobs. As with King’s Cross, this area is set to undergo dramatic transformation over the next decade.
Shoreditch: Most Hyped Startup Scene
Shoreditch Grind a.k.a. Silicon Roundabout – photo credit: JasonParis
Startup locations don’t come much hotter than the home of Tech City. Shoreditch has been the subject of much hype over the last twelve months and this shows no signs of slowing down in 2014.
If you think your business could benefit from being based in the vicinity of some of the most talked about tech startups on the planet, then exploring what Shoreditch has to offer is a good place to start.
However, be aware that all the media hype has made space in the area highly sought after and this in turn has seen a rise in prices. Of course, it all depends on the budget you have for office space – as well as the type of space you’re after. Serviced offices, for example, can offer a starting point for businesses keen to be part of this vibrant tech startup scene. By allowing businesses to rent space for just a few months, rather than years, serviced offices minimise the risk of long-term commitment and allow you to establish whether this really is the best location for you.
About the Author: Alec Ryan is Online Campaign Manager and regular blogger for LondonOffices.com. LondonOffices.com helps businesses from startups to large corporates find premium office space in the UK’s capital city. Follow them on Twitter @Offices_London.
