If you’ve just moved to London and have a remote job, or you’re a freelancer who needs a working space that isn’t your kitchen table, worry not; the British capital is full of excellent co-working spaces nowadays!The hard part is finding the one that is right for you, so here’s a roundup of the best places where you can get stuff done in central London, with a comparison on facilities, price (excluding VAT) and location.
Huckletree
With regular events, workshops and networking opportunities, this co-working space is ideal for making new connections, learning about exciting new concepts or just making friends. The majority of people using this space are freelancers, but there are also start-ups, investors, agencies and some larger companies. Work that goes on here covers areas as diverse as tech, fashion and media, so the possibilities for making useful connections are endless. Events vary from yoga classes, book clubs and crafting workshops to technology innovation talks and much more, ensuring there’s something for everyone.
Monthly price: £175 for 10 days a month, or £280 for unlimited access
Facilities: free fitness classes, free tea and coffee, private phone booths, weekly drinks
Nearest public transport: There are three locations, close to White City (Central Line), Old Street (Northern Line) and Farringdon (Circle Line, Hammersmith & City Line, Metropolitan Line)
www.huckletree.com
The Impact Hub brand has three locations in London, each with slightly different vibes and layouts. Overall, these venues are more like community centres than co-working spaces, which may be ideal for entrepreneurs looking to grow their socially conscious ideas and connect with like-minded people. The kinds of events hosted here reflect those values too, with panel discussions on social impact and change, as well as many useful seminars on different aspects of running your own business.
Monthly price: varies between locations, with the King’s Cross location the most expensive at £490 and the Brixton location the cheapest at £290
Facilities: depending on your subscription, these include free tea and coffee, a dedicated post box and storage facilities
Nearest public transport: The three locations are close to Old Street (Northern Line), King’s Cross (Circle Line, Hammersmith & City Line, Metropolitan Line, Northern Line, Piccadilly Line, Victoria Line) and Brixton (Victoria Line)
www.impacthub.net
Runway East
This is a fun, innovative place with some cool events to keep you going through the week; cake Wednesday is a clear favourite! Runway East also has some unusual amenities that are not often found in other co-working spaces, such as showers and cleaning services. This space is ideal for individuals and growing start-ups, as there are plenty of opportunities to meet potential investors. There are currently six locations in London.
Monthly price: £199 for a hot desk or £399 for a dedicated desk
Facilities: showers, lockers, printing services, regular events, free access to meeting rooms
Nearest public transport: The six locations are close to Old Street (Northern Line), Shoreditch (Overground), Moorgate (Northern Line, Circle Line, Hammersmith & City Line, Metropolitan Line), Aldgate (Circle Line and Metropolitan Line), Covent Garden (Piccadilly Line) and London Bridge (Northern Line and Jubilee Line)
www.runwayea.st
Techhub
Aimed mostly at techy start-ups, freelancers and entrepreneurs, this mainstay of London’s co-working spaces is the perfect place for making connections in that field as well as providing an inspiring work environment. There are tons of great events happening all the time at Techhub, including talks from successful start-up founders, workshops to help you better market yourself or your product, and casual networking sessions with potential investors. The organisers also put a lot of emphasis on mentorship at Techhub, making it easy for you to find a good match for someone to help you out with your ideas, or a way for you to give back what you’ve learnt and pass on your knowledge and experience.
Monthly price: £360-£399 for a fixed desk, or £600 per year for 20 hours a week of flexible desk access
Facilities: printing services, high-speed internet, a fully stocked kitchen, group breakfast once a week, access to an online members network
Nearest public transport: Moorgate (Northern Line)
www.techhub.com
Uncommon
Perhaps one of the most uncommon – hence the name – co-working spaces in London, this place is designed with comfort and wellness in mind. All of the furniture was chosen for maximum ergonomic effect and there are several standing desks as well as traditional seating options. Plants abound, but the space is still minimalist enough not to be a distraction. The various locations have a few different features, with some offering a zen garden, rooftop terrace and tennis court. All locations have breakout spaces, coffeeshops and wide, open workspaces.
Monthly price: £249 for a hot desk or £350 for a dedicated desk
Facilities: shower, bike storage, phone booths, stocked kitchen
Nearest public transport: The four locations are close to Highbury & Islington (Victoria Line, Overground), Borough (Northern Line), Putney Bridge (District Line) and Liverpool Street (Central Line, Circle Line, Hammersmith & City Line, Metropolitan Line)
www.uncommon.co.uk
Choosing the right co-working space is an important decision for any freelancer or remote worker, so take advantage of the free trial days that most spaces offer before committing to a monthly membership. Try out at least two so you have some reference for comparison, and consider which are the most important features, amenities or networking possibilities for you.
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