7 of the best co-working hubs in London
With hybrid and home working on the rise, communication professionals are finding that, while they still need to come to the capital, coffee shops are losing their shine. Ishana Seward looks at the workspace alternatives …
The last three years have seen a huge growth in alternative ways of working, with many employees choosing to work fully from home or adopt a "hybrid" model and split their time between home and the office. The appeal is clear: employees can manage their time and workloads in a more flexible way in locations that work for them, without extensive commutes and with a stronger sense of autonomy.
For many, working during the pandemic highlighted the pressures and often unnecessary stresses of full-time office work. Having experienced a new way of working, maintaining a good work-life balance is a habit many people are understandably reluctant to relinquish. And the stats back this up; a recent Stanford University study found that employees who have a hybrid way of working are significantly happier, more productive and enjoy improved wellbeing.
The fact many prefer hybrid working to being at home full-time is significant, however. Evidence shows that plenty of workers would still rather work alongside other people, having missed the interaction that office "water cooler" chat brings.
Enter the co-working space.
For those making hybrid working a permanent way of life, busy coffee shops aren't a long-term solution
With the rise of co-working, the definition of "the office" has changed, with work from public spaces, rather than homes, becoming the new norm.
To meet this growing demand, establishments from bookshops to cafés are offering spaces where people can enjoy a pleasant working location without the distractions of a home. But for those making hybrid working a permanent way of life, busy coffee shops aren't a long-term solution. Workers are looking for workspaces that provide a full range of office facilities and allow them to work flexibly and on the days of their choosing without hefty monthly fees.
So, whether you work in the city regularly or just venture in from time to time, here are some of the best workspaces in London, from desk rentals to meeting room hire to those providing the full "office away from the office" experience.
Runway East Borough Market
20 St Thomas Street, SE1 9RS
A fun and stylish working space only two minutes from London Bridge station, this space includes breakout rooms, phone booths and larger meeting areas. It is pet-friendly and offers table tennis, a rooftop terrace, free snacks on Wednesdays and free drinks on Fridays. Runway East also has spaces in Soho, Aldgate and Shoreditch.
Booking: Book for a month or choose your time period. Prices vary based on length of booking.
Costs: From £425/month for dedicated desks and £600/month for private offices.
The Trampery, Old Street
239 Old Street, EC1V 9EY
The Old Street building is The Trampery's flagship location, offering a variety of workspaces, from hot desks to private studios, plus a members' club and an event venue. The space offers complimentary food and high-quality AV equipment and is proving particularly popular with entrepreneurs and start-up workers who like to be part of a thriving community.
Booking: Choose between monthly hot desk, studio or resident memberships.
Costs: From £330/month for hot desking and £450/month for dedicated desks.
Work. Life. Camden.
13 Hawley Crescent, NW1 8NP
For a real work-life balance, Work.Life offers lots of extra benefits in a great location. Users can enjoy super-fast WiFi, access to tech-enabled meeting rooms, a nap room, onsite massage services and in-house yoga classes. There's also weekly socials and events, helpful staff, and the venue is dog- and family-friendly.
Booking: Reserve desks by the month. Meeting rooms are bookable at an additional cost. Private offices are also available.
Costs: From £535/month for dedicated desks. Private offices are also available.
Uncommon
1 Long Lane, SE1 4PG
Uncommon in Borough is easy to reach with great transport links in a bustling part of the city. The café and bar host events such as music gigs, and members have access to free yoga and HIIT classes, showers and hairdryers, as well as sleek meeting spaces. Uncommon has a strong commitment to environmental and social change, which is evident when you enter. The space is filled with greenery, features views of the London skyline, and is wheelchair accessible.
Booking: Book dedicated desks and offices per day or per month.
Costs: From £399/month for dedicated desks and £750 for private offices per desk. Ad hoc passes are available from £40/day and £35 at weekends.
Idea Space
83 Lavender Hill, SW11 5QL
The Clapham-based co-working space is modern, casual and friendly, and offers a range of flexible options for hybrid workers. Idea Space is well-designed and quiet, with plenty of dedicated meeting rooms, private phone spaces and communal desks. It offers pay-as-you-go, month-to-month and hot-desking memberships so workers have lots of flexibility.
Booking: Hot desk and flexi desk memberships are available per month. Private offices require a three-month minimum contract.
Costs: From £180/month for flexi desks and £300/month for hot desks.
Visit: ideaspace.london
WeWork
Various locations
With almost 40 locations, We Work can provide access to office and event spaces wherever you're based in the city. Each space has private offices, meeting rooms, lounges and outdoor areas, plus printing services, complimentary fruit and water and an onsite barista. Many also have wellness rooms for members.
Booking: Co-working and hot desking available per day, meeting rooms per hour, and private offices on request.
Costs: From £7/day for co-working, £25/day for hot desking and £10/hour per seat for meeting rooms.
Visit: wework.com
Tobacco Dock
Tobacco Quay, Wapping Lane, E1W 2SF
Tobacco Dock offers modern, characterful and reasonably priced spaces for East London-based creative entrepreneurs and social enterprises. Meeting rooms are stylish, high-spec and filled with cutting-edge technology, while breakout rooms and a central lounge offer more informal working options. Members can use the rooftop bar to wind down at the end of the working day.
Booking: Dedicated desks and private offices available by month, meeting rooms on request.
Costs: From £250/month for dedicated desks.
Visit: tobaccodocklondon.com
