Coworking continues its unprecedented growth in London, with over a million solo entrepreneurs and remote workers now calling it home. Revenue from these shared workspaces has surpassed £760 million, as workers increasingly rent desks in curated communities versus private offices. Demand has fueled massively and annual growth in númbers of spaces offered has also increased.
Major creative hubs in Shoreditch, Camden Town, and Brixton provide prime options. However, overlooked neighbourhoods, hotel options and also affordable coworking spaces filled with heritage architecture and riverside views can be found all over London too!
Choosing the Right Coworking Space in London
When selecting a coworking space in London for your business, consider key factors like:
- Location and Transport Links
- Amenities (Printing, phones, lounges)
- Member Community and Networking
- Prices for Renting Desk Space
- Accessibility and Inclusion
- Guest Passes / Allowed
While private offices allow independence, shared coworking spaces offer flexibility and collaboration tailor-made for freelancers, hybrid teams and solopreneurs in the city looking to rent a desk.
Accessibility
Evaluating accessibility helps freelancers find spaces supporting their needs.
Most major providers like WeWork, Fora, and Work.Life offer disabled access, earn 4+ stars for transport links, but limit 24/7 building access. Second Home scores high for open hours while niche community spaces often lag in disabled access.
Many freelancers struggle with lack of engagement outside traditional office social circles. For many, the community lies at the heart of their local coworking space where sharing tools, skills and insight fosters innovation for solo workers. Collaboration sparks most great ideas – not just solo work after all so having a coworking space where you can connect with others can be important too.
From open studio nights to ladies’ prototyping meetups, lots of coworking places invest in cultivating connections that support the modern creative workspace. Don’t just tour empty spaces – visit when events happen to evaluate community.
Overlooked Areas to Consider
Beyond typical Soho coworking enclaves, options in overlooked areas on the other side of the Thames and Tower Bridge provide creative workspace surrounded by heritage architecture.
Affordable Coworking in Near West India Quay
WeWork Canary Wharf, situated 30 Churchill Place E14 overlooks striking skyline views right in Canary Wharf. These modern creative offices offer dedicated desks starting around £366 per month with lounges and training rooms. Just downriver, cool companies work inside historical warehouses, the area provides an oasis of affordable workspace rentals.
Pimlico
Tucked away in the elegant, warm Pimlico along the Thames lies the Georgian House Hotel, which offers a refined coworking solution for freelancers and solopreneurs seeking focused workspace with great amenities. Plus, there’s no contract and therefore no commitment!
Their Pimlico Pantry provides a peaceful yet creative workspace, bathed in natural light and with friendly staff on hand to assist with any requirements you may need during your working day. All accompanied with coffee and snacks! Just £15 for full day desk hire! Plus, being a hotel, after your workday concludes, unwind with complimentary access to the hotel lounge. Hot desk space like this in London grants you an oasis where productivity and self-care intertwine. For freelancers looking to reward their hustle it delivers quintessential Pimlico charm.
Key Takeaways on Shared Spaces
- Check emerging locations like Canary Wharf and Pimlico for affordable riverside and hidden hot desk rentals and lounges
- Major providers score well on transport links, disabled access remains limited
- Amenity-rich hot desk rates can still be found
- Prioritise community building events when choosing your ideal creative workspace
Whether you need riverside views, local networking, cosy hotel vibes or just an affordable desk rental in a vibrant city, London coworking spaces have tailored solutions to support today’s solopreneurs and remote workers.
