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Finding the ideal remote workspace can be a challenge, especially for freelancers and remote workers. As a writer, I know the pain of spending considerable time searching for locations that offer fast WiFi, comfortable seating, power outlets, and (of course) cups of tea on tap.
Our below guide is your ‘Secret London’ list of the best coworking spaces for business owners and sole traders both North and South of the river. Each option won’t break the bank. The cheapest location (Icon Offices) costs just £60 a month per user.
But we’ll also look at value-for-money, not just upfront fees. Londoners who move around a lot, for example, might love Regus Business Lounges, which has nearly 90 locations and starts from £115 per month per user:
- Regus business lounges – for 88 London locations (from £115/month)
- Icon Offices – cheapest overall (from £60/mo)
- WimbleTech CIC (The Workary) – for local networking (from £65/mo)
- Clockwise – premium office in Wood Green (from £130/mo)
- Creative Works – based in Walthamstow (from £96/mo)
It can sound wishful to use the phrase ‘cheap office space in London’, given how expensive the capital is. But you don’t have to fork out thousands to work in a new, focused environment (there’s even spaces in London that are completely free to work from).
We’ve collated a list of the best cheap office space in London – recently voted the best city in the world for coworking – all of which offer full-time membership for less than £32 (plus VAT) a week. Read on to find your next workspace.
FEATURED | CHEAPEST PROVIDER | | | |
Regus Business Lounge | Icon Offices | Wimbletech CIC | Clockwise | Creative Works |
Location(s): 97 | Location(s): 3 | Location(s): 7 | Location(s): 1 | Location(s): 1 |
Membership cost: £115 per month | Membership cost: £60 per month | Membership cost: From £65 + VAT per month | Membership cost: £130 per month | Membership cost: £96 + VAT per month |
Best for Prime locations | Best for Business support | Best for Networking | Best for Aesthetic | Best for Creative teams |
Regus business lounges
Best for: working anywhere from a central office, to a suburban hideaway
- Price: £115 per person, per month
- Locations: 55 in Central London (+ 33 in Greater London)
Variety is Regus’ biggest USP. All of its 88 sleek office spaces are well-lit and furnished with modern desks and chairs — although be aware that its popularity can make it busy during peak ‘rush hour’ workdays such as Wednesday and Thursday.
What will I get for £115 per month?
Regus has the largest property portfolio on this list rivalling even WeWork. Whether you want to base yourself in iconic postcodes such as Fleet Street, or busy transport hubs like Euston, you’ll be able to make use of unlimited drop-in access (during business hours) to more than 8,000 UK desks with its business lounge package.
Taking a trip abroad? Passes don’t stop at the UK border. Regus has sites in over 2,000 locations around the world, located in city centres, railway stations, and airports, and members can visit any of them to become a digital nomad for the day.
That’s a huge bonus in today’s world – particularly for sole traders, who are increasingly rejecting traditional office space. It’s also great for light networking, though you may struggle to forge close business relationships given how many new faces you’ll see each day.
Our final tip? SMEs should check out Regus’ discounts and offers to save on contract fees. Regus members will get a 10% discount if you book via MyRegus.
What other plans are available?
- Coworking (starting at £129 per month)
- Private office plans (from £189 per month)
Freelancers, take note. Regus permits members to purchase flexible working plans. That means you can access Regus for just ten days or five days a month, a much more cost-effective billing method if you’re only planning on visiting Regus on a part-time basis.
Lounge | Coworking | Office | |
---|---|---|---|
Price per person | £115 per month | From £279 per month | From £479 per month |
Price per person (10 days per month) | N/A | From £189 per month | From £305 per month |
Price per person (5 days per month) | N/A | From £129 per month | From £189 per month |
Features | Use of WiFI, printer, and photocopiers | Live receptionist services | Private office access |
Access to any Regus lounge | Office cleaning and maintenance |
Icon Offices
Best for: saving your pennies to reinvest into your startup
Image source: iconoffices.co.uk
- Price: £60 (including VAT) per person, per month
- Location: Chadwell Heath, East Ham, Ilford
Icon Offices provides luxury serviced offices in the heart of East London and Essex. Housed in a magnificent 1906 building, its East Ham business centre is situated on the bustling High Street, just steps away from the underground station.
What will I get for £60 per month?
Inside the East Ham site, you’ll find a stylish and functional workspace with high-speed internet, air-conditioned offices, and comfortable communal areas.
For non-locals, East Ham is a vibrant and diverse neighbourhood. Whether you’re exploring the local markets, sampling delicious cuisine, or simply enjoying a leisurely stroll, you’ll find plenty to see and do on your lunch breaks.
Sole traders are able to hot desk at their chosen site’s shared business lounge between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday. As well, each building is home to private offices and a meeting room that you can use for free once a day (£3 per hour after that).
Most excitingly, you can also choose to purchase a day office for up to four employees. Priced at just £35 per day, it’s a real bargain compared to large competitors such as WeWork.
What other plans are available?
Members can choose from either a private office, a shared workspace, or a virtual office from Icon Offices. Currently, virtual offices are registered at Icon Offices’ Holborn location. For just £2.99 a week, you’ll get a prestigious EC1N postcode (a handy add-on to your core plan).
Standard Shared Package | Hot Desk Package | Premium Shared Office Package | Satellite Office Package | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Price | £60 per month | £115 per month | £140 per month | £140 per month |
Features | Work from business lounge for no charge | Access to shared office 24/7 | Dedicated desk with a free phone line | Share subscription with work colleagues |
Avoid paying Small Business Rates | Up to 2 visitors per day for 90 minutes | Leave belongings overnight | 24/7 call answering service | |
30 minutes free meeting room user per day |
WimbleTech CIC (The Workary)
Best for: meeting fellow entrepreneurs in your local community
- Price: £65 (plus VAT) per person, per month (based on Mitcham pricing)
- Locations: Caterham, Hanwell, Maidenhead, Mitcham, Rickmansworth, Welling, and Wimbledon
The Workary is a network of seven London-based co-working spaces. It claims to be more than just a desk, but a hub for entrepreneurs, freelancers, and remote workers. Many of its sites are converted heritage buildings or local community centres.
What will I get for £65 per month?
As a member, you’ll gain access to a range of perks designed to boost your productivity and connect you with like-minded individuals. From networking events and skill-sharing workshops, to discounted meeting room hire and free marketing help, The Workary has it all.
Need a quiet space to focus? Want to collaborate with fellow creatives? With a variety of workspaces to choose from, you can tailor your environment to suit your needs. And let’s not forget the little things: unlimited tea, coffee, and snacks to keep you fueled through the day.
Wimbletech CIC’s cheapest monthly package is called ‘Flexi’. With it, you can hotdesk across all The Workary’s locations for between £65 and £95 per user, per month. Billing is simple. Members pay for the first and last month’s desk rental, together with any additional services.
What other plans are available?
Some Workary locations offer more options than others. If you are based in Mitcham, Rickmansworth, Maidenhead, Caterham or Wimbledon, you can choose from:
- Day passes (ranging from £15-£25 per day)
- Weekly passes (ranging from £45-£75 per member)
There are a few caveats to the Day Pass. Users must arrive between 10am and 11am on the day to collect and activate your pass. You must also book 48 hrs in advance. Any booked passes are non-refundable and are only valid on date booked.
Members can also rent a dedicated desk for between £95-£185 per month depending on location. The Caterham and Rickmansworth sites have private rooms which cater from either up to 10 or up to 20 attendees (with a 50% discount for members).
Digital Pass* | Day Pass | Week Pass | Monthly Membership: Hot Desk (min two months) | Monthly Membership: Private Desk (min two months) | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cost (based on Mitcham office) | £25 per month + VAT | £15 per day + VAT | £45 per week + VAT | £65 per month + VAT | £95 per month + VAT |
x2 Day Passes a month | Superfast WiFi | Superfast WiFi | Comes with storage | ||
50% discount on passes | Private phone booths/meeting space | Book passes 72hrs in advance |
*Only available at Caterham, Mitcham, and Maidenhead
Clockwise
Best for: working in a calm environment with plenty of home comforts
- Price: £130 per person, per month
- Locations: Wood Green
Clockwise blends serene charm with high-end amenities. Situated near Alexandra Palace, the space boasts breathtaking views of the surrounding parkland, as well as excellent transport links and proximity to a variety of dining and entertainment options.
What will I get for £130 per month?
With its sleek interior design and first-class amenities, Clockwise caters to those who like a little luxury in their workspace. Unique pieces adorn the space, adding a touch of artistic flair, and a stunning outdoor terrace provides the perfect tranquil setting for inspiration to strike.
Beyond its aesthetic appeal though, Clockwise prioritises efficiency and flexibility. Its rapid setup process means you can start working within 24 hours of inquiry, while its rolling contract terms cater to short-term and flexible work arrangements.
Clockwise’s premium pricing reflects its high-end offerings. But it’s a worthy investment for ambitious workers who need a space they’d be willing to spend 40 hours a week in. The £130 Club Lounge plan, for instance, offers breakout rooms and fully-stocked gourmet kitchens — a thoughtfully-designed space guaranteed to boost morale and improve output.
If you’re short on cash there’s also the member portal (£115 a month), a space for collaboration that’s a particularly good resource for new founders looking to build connections.
What plans are available?
Members aren’t short of options with Clockwise. Members can choose between five different plans in total ranging from a day pass to a premium lounge membership , all of which are transparently priced (we’ve outlined the costs below).
There is also a handy cost calculator available on the Clockwise website which tells you exactly how much money you’ve saved from purchasing a Clockwise workspace over a traditional lease. For example, for a team of five employees, it claims to save you over £800 per month on rent, as well as over £4,000 in set up costs, for a total reduction of 75%.
Day Pass | Virtual Office | Club Lounge (coworking) | Dedicated Desk | Private Office | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cost per person | £20 per day | £50 per month | £130 per month | £275 per month | £350 per month |
Features | Access to kitchen | Discounted rate on day pass | Access to member portal for networking | Lockable storage | Lockable private office |
Use of a hot desk | Business address | Call forwarding (for extra £20) | 'Preferential rates' on meeting rooms |
Creative Works
Best for: getting your creative juices flowing
- Price: £96 per person, per month
- Location: Walthamstow
Located just 13 minutes from King’s Cross, Creative Works offers cutting-edge office space designed for creative souls. With a strong focus on artist side hustles, this innovative hub has been nurturing talent since 1999, training over 10,000 young people in art and media fields.
What will I get for £96 per month?
Creative Works’ hot desking package has all of the core goodies. It provides state-of-the-art facilities, including high-speed internet, printing services, and complimentary refreshments (there’s even an all-day breakfast for artists who stayed too late at the wine bar).
Beyond the basics, Creative Works offers a range of unique perks. Featuring private storage and secure bike racks, as well as a rejuvenating nap pod and in-house IT support, all you’ll have to worry about is your own workload – and spacious communal areas and well-equipped studios provide the perfect backdrop for productivity.
What truly sets Creative Works apart, though, is its commitment to fostering a thriving creative community. Regular educational workshops and networking events offer opportunities to connect with like-minded individuals, share ideas, and collaborate on exciting projects; providing the ideal place to bring your creative vision to life.
What other plans are available?
There are five different workspace solutions from Creative Works which gives members a great amount of flexibility. Drop-in passes for a single day’s work cost £24 per day.
Which pass you choose may depend on what time of day you want to access the space. Hot desking and day-pass users can only use the workspace 9-5 on weekdays, whereas private desk and office users can access Creative Works 24/7.
All Creative Works monthly packages are only available to purchase for the full month. This is not as flexible as our number one coworking provider, Regus Business Lounges, which lets hybrid workers pay for ten or five day subscriptions.
Drop-In | Hot Desking | Dedicated Desk | Dedicated Desk with Cabled Internet | Flexible Bays | Private Office | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Price | £24 per day + VAT | £96 per month + VAT | £264 per month + VAT | £288 per month + VAT | £330 per month + VAT | £420 per month + VAT |
Features | Access 9-5, Mon to Fri | 40 hours workspace time | Business address | Ethernet | Discount on training programs | Private office with key |
All day breakfast | 24/7 access | 30% off meeting rooms | 30% off meeting rooms |
All information in this page is correct as of November 2024.
The top five cheap London coworking spaces are:
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