Those choosing to work for themselves has been on a steady increase since the financial crash of 2008 destroyed thousands of jobs. The promise of freedom from overbearing bosses and unlimited earning potential has, as of January this year, driven 4.77 million, just under 15% of the working population, to become self-employed. Numerous technological advances such as WiFi in every conceivable place, including the underground, renders remote working possible from almost anywhere in the world.
Walk into any one of London’s innumerable coffee shops and amongst the sea of disinterested faces, you will undoubtedly spot at least a couple with their heads bent over a laptop, rhythmically typing away. In today’s society where we seemingly never switch off from our various digital devices, be it laptop, phone or tablet, we are always connected allowing ourselves to be constantly contactable and to send just one more email.
Although coffee shops are a successful space for some, most notably a certain J.K Rowling, you might not want to share your ‘working space’ with a screaming toddler or the ladies who lunch.
Where you choose to work reflects on your business as well as aiding your own creative inspiration so choosing an office space that is as cool as your company can play a big role in your success.
Here are a few of our top co-working places in London. Choose wisely my friend.
For those who want a slice of wellness alongside their morning coffee, smoothie or organic juice, all of which are free by the way. Creating spaces that make you feel good so you do better is their ethos and is reflected in the numerous perks from roof top yoga and in-house nutritionists to bespoke scents in each room. With four locations across London, membership vary by location.
The perks may not be aplenty, but you can work here safe in the knowledge that you are doing good for the world. Canvas was set up by social enterprise Connection Crew and any profit generated by Canvas goes directly back into helping people out of homelessness. They pride themselves on offering value to their members by providing them with all the things they need and omitting the things they don’t. No personal masseuse then…shame.
Walking the line between co-working place and private members club, The Club House is the office equivalent of ‘dressing to impress’. Gossip at the watercooler with the likes of Facebook, Sky, BBC and Harvard University employees or share a drink or two on the private rooftop based at their Bank location. The Greenhouse meeting venue at the St James’ location has won awards and features a 3.6m fully interactive video wall ensuring you are using the best co-working spaces money can buy.
Created with the humble start up in mind, Central Working offers tailor made membership packages because no one has a crystal ball that will tell them when they start out where their business will be in one months’ time yet alone a year. They guarantee within 30 days to introduce you to meaningful connections for your business that will incur growth, or you get your money back! Central Working recognise you spend a lot of time in your office so work hard to create not just a working environment but a real and supportive community.
A runway is for taking off from and that is exactly what Runway East try and do for your business. Another good option for the start up crowd, Runway East boast an exceptional community feel with over 100 start-ups and 1000+ members. Each of their locations are based under 90 seconds from an underground station in case you need to dash to an external meeting. Oh, and did I mention cake Wednesdays?
These are just a few of our favourite places in the city to work but there are plenty more out there to choose from and more on the horizon. Happy co-working!
