7 Things To Consider Before Renting An Office In London

Renting an office in London is exciting for any business. You’ll establish yourself in the UK’s commercial heart, so your new business opportunities will be vast and diverse. 

However, you must understand what to consider before searching for office space to help you find the right one for your business.

What To Consider Before Renting A London Office

1) What London Location Is Best For Your Business And People?

You need to consider the importance of your office’s location before renting one.

It can make a difference to the number of clients you have, but also the happiness of your employees. 

Why is this the case?

If you’re in a popular location, you will be visible to a broad audience, giving you an excellent foundation to grow long-lasting clients. Also, there are likely plenty of ways to travel, allowing your employees to commute easily.  

Another key consideration before choosing where to rent an office in London is your industry and target audience base. 

One way to understand where your business may be best suited is to determine where your competition is based. For your business to succeed, do you need to be in the same location as similar businesses?

London is a large city split into many areas populated with specific business sectors.

For example, the East End of London is popular amongst tech companies due to the high-speed broadband in the area. Alternatively, the West End has an eclectic mix of industries, with businesses covering retail, hospitality, and entertainment. 

Some areas of London are more expensive to rent than others; however, the right location can instantly propel your business among the best.

2) Transport Links

Choosing a well-connected office space goes hand in hand when selecting the right location for your business.

Although London is buzzing with diverse professionals and attracting more businesses, only a few live within the city. It means your employees are likely to commute to your office.

Thankfully there are numerous ways to get around London, whether via tube, train, bus, tram, boat, car, or bicycle.

However, it is best to ensure your business is near the major tube and train stations; office space will be more expensive than renting in a less commutable area of London, but it will make getting to work easier for your employees.

Additionally, the easier it is for your clients to visit your business, the more likely they will return!

3) How Much Office Space Does Your Business Need?

Next, consider the size of office space you will need for your business.

You may want to rent a small office space in London that enables you to scale up as your business grows.

Whatever your plans are, you should ensure that your employees have enough space to support their working needs as well as important areas which help to enhance employee engagement, culture and communication, such as breakout spaces, collaborative zones and quiet areas.

A lack of office space can affect your employee’s productivity and overall satisfaction at work. But providing a variety of working areas as well as spaces where your employees can relax and recharge on their breaks will increase engagement levels and boost collective motivation. 

4) Hidden Costs

As mentioned, renting office space in London can be expensive, so if a rental price seems too good to be true, it probably is.

More often than not, office leases will only detail the monthly rental; it will not include the other things you need to pay for, such as utilities.

For example, consider the following items you need to keep your business running, which will not necessarily be on the contract lease:

• Insurance.
• Maintenance.
• Furniture.
• Technology.
• Cleaning.

DeVono offers more flexible ways of renting an office space in London, meaning you know exactly what you are paying for. It makes it easy for you to stay within your budget.

With the flexible and serviced office spaces that DeVono offers, most of the above are included, such as furniture, technology, IT solutions,  and maintenance services.

5) What Local Amenities Do Your Employees And Clients Require?

To increase your chances of hiring the best talent and attracting clients to your business, consider the area’s local amenities. 

Young professionals who are self-motivated and trained in a particular industry will have their choice of many businesses to work for, so you need to give them no reason not to choose yours.

Your business should be situated in an area with plenty of shops and necessary facilities, such as supermarkets and banks. This will enable prospective employees to see themselves working in the area or even living there.

Ideally, there should be places to eat nearby, such as restaurants and cafes, which will be as equally important to your clients.

6) Office Design

Your office should support and enhance employee engagement, happiness, and overall performance. You can achieve this by renting a traditional or contemporary office, but before making any decisions, there are many factors to consider, starting with your business’s unique working needs and future goals/aspirations.

Consider what message you are trying to convey to your employees and clients. What are your core values? Your office design should reflect both of the above.

Some rentals may not enable you to design your office to your specifications; however, DeVono has a range of office spaces to choose from that can act as a blank canvas for your business, helping you to personalise your office space.

Furthermore, DeVono also has an in-house workplace design studio Dthree; which can help you design and build the workplace your business and people deserve.

The dedicated design team will work with you to create an office space that supports your business goals while boosting employee engagement and productivity. 

Your workplace is also where your business and your brand come to life. Integrating your brand into your office design allows the space to communicate and reinforce who you are. It provides visitors with an accurate representation of your identity, purpose, and personality – from when they enter the space to when they leave it.

7) Length Of Lease

If you need office space long-term, then a traditional lease may suit you and your business. 

However, what if your company outgrows your office before your lease ends? You will be in an office space that hinders your business growth and, therefore, employee productivity.

If you rent a flexible, serviced office space in London, you won’t be tied into a complex, long-term contract. 

Instead, your contract will be flexible, meaning you can easily relocate and scale up and down when necessary, ensuring your employee’s well-being and morale won’t be affected. 

It is great news if you own a startup since team numbers usually fluctuate as your business develops.

Available London Office Spaces 

Below is a range of offices in London that are currently available to rent:

White Collar Factory