The Best Office Locations in London’s Tech Hubs

The economic backdrop is uncertain, but while businesses in many industries are struggling, London’s tech sector continues to thrive. From fintech to health tech, artificial intelligence to clean energy, the capital welcomed over 24,000 tech startups last year, accounting for more than half of the new tech businesses across the UK.

London is indisputably THE place for tech businesses, but the question is, where do the capital’s coolest tech firms hang out? We’re going to look at some of the best office locations in London’s tech hubs and see why flexible office spaces are the favoured workspaces of these fast-moving firms. 

The Rise of London’s Tech Sector

London has all the ingredients for a flourishing tech sector, with many entrepreneurs choosing to make the capital the base for their growing firms. Firstly, there’s plenty of access to funding, with UK tech an attractive place for domestic and overseas investment. London’s tech sector ranks fourth globally for venture capital investment and first in Europe. Only San Francisco, New York and Boston attract more tech funding. 

As well as a ready stream of funding, there’s a good supply of skilled workers. London Universities produce some of the country’s best tech-focused graduates, and the city is home to more software developers and programmers than anywhere else in Europe. 

London is also home to an impressive number of unicorns - a term that refers to privately held startup companies with a value of over $1 billion. There are currently 80 unicorns in London, which is more than the next three European tech hubs (Paris, Berlin and Stockholm) combined.   

Throw in a diverse mix of flexible office spaces in areas that provide all the modern amenities employees are looking for, and it’s not hard to see why tech businesses are flocking to the capital. 

Why are Tech Firms Choosing Flexible Office Spaces?

For any fast-growing company, finding office space in London can be tricky. Perhaps the biggest problem is that you don’t know how big your headcount will be in 12 months, let alone three years, so signing a long-term deal is something you want to avoid. 

Flexible office spaces help London tech businesses overcome that problem. They’re available on short-term deals, typically 12 months, so you can chop and change in line with your requirements. As long as there’s availability, you can also move to another office in the same building during the term of your deal if you need more space. They also come fully furnished, so there are no upfront costs to worry about, and you can move in quickly, usually within two to four weeks. 

Flexible office spaces also provide startups with amenities that you’d usually associate with larger companies. That includes on-site social spaces, rooftop terraces, communal kitchens, cafes and restaurants, and even in-house gym areas. Services like a receptionist, cleaning and mail handling are also covered by the all-inclusive monthly cost. 

Perhaps the biggest benefit is that flexible office space of every size is available in some of London’s thriving tech hubs. With great transport links, cafes, restaurants, bars, shops and green spaces on your doorstep, you can give your employees access to some of London’s most sought-after areas and turn your workspace into a powerful employee attraction and retention tool.  

Take a look at our traditional vs. flexible office cheat sheet for more.

London’s Established Tech Hubs

London has several firmly established tech hotspots that are home to some of the capital’s biggest success stories. These areas offer an abundance of amenities and are home to tech incubators, endless networking opportunities, industry conferences and learning events. They also carry a certain cachet, with the right postcode suggesting that you’ve already made it or at least you’re well on the way. 

Introducing East London Tech City

Tech City is a cluster of high-tech companies located in East London. It began life in 2008 when hi-tech and web media startups began to form around East London’s Old Street roundabout, giving it the nickname ‘Silicon Roundabout’.

The area was rebranded ‘Tech City’ in 2011 and has since gone on to become the third largest tech centre in the world. It has attracted investment from leading tech firms, such as Google, Facebook and Intel, and is home to some of the country’s most innovative and high-growth startups. 

Old Street: The heart of London’s tech industry

Old Street in East London, home to Tech City, has the highest concentration of tech businesses in the capital, with over 2,000 tech startups and 50,000 employees. 

Its central location and proximity to the city ensures excellent transport links, with Old Street Station on the Northern Line. There are also plenty of cafes, restaurants and shops in the area, as well as the buzzy nightlife of Shoreditch nearby. 

Take a look at our flexible office spaces in Old Street.  

Shoreditch: The creative extension of Silicon Roundabout

Just to the east of the traditional tech mecca of Old Street is its colourful and more creative neighbour, Shoreditch. Shoreditch is another startup haven, with creative brands and tech companies contributing to one of the most thriving business locations in London. 

The diverse range of flexible office spaces and the sheer range of amenities packed into a relatively small space make it a hotspot for businesses and a popular location among employees. 

Check out our guide to the area and find flexible office spaces in Shoreditch.

Emerging Hotspots for Tech Offices in London  

With more and more exciting tech businesses coming to London, demand in the traditional tech heartlands is outstripping supply. That’s pushing up office space prices and persuading many businesses to look elsewhere. Fortunately, there’s no shortage of options, with the emergence of several locations that can provide excellent transport links, access to skills, local amenities and the type of office space that tech firms are looking for.

Fitzrovia: Home to Facebook and a blend of creativity and tech

With its excellent transport links, proximity to the West End and upmarket appeal, you might assume that flexible office space in Fitzrovia is expensive. However, despite the influx of tech startups and the addition of the Elizabeth Line to nearby Tottenham Court Road, offices in Fitzrovia are perhaps surprisingly well-priced. 

The area has bistros and bars aplenty along with elegant Georgian and Victorian office buildings that can give reluctant office workers something to get excited about. 

Find out more about Fitzrovia and check out our flexible office spaces in the area.

Stratford’s Olympic Park: A rising star in London’s tech scene

More than a decade on from the London Olympics, Stratford’s Olympic Park has been transformed into a leading hub for technology and innovation. At its heart is Here East, an office building, innovation centre and education space that houses a range of growing and established tech firms. 

Plans to build 10,000 new homes by 2030 will attract workers to the area. It’s also home to Westfield Stratford City, Europe’s largest shopping and leisure destination with over 250 shops and 65 restaurants.  

Take a look at our flexible office spaces in Stratford.

Clerkenwell: An up-and-coming hub for tech businesses

An area known for its style and elegance, Clerkenwell enjoys an enviable location just north of the central neighbourhood of Farringdon. Fintech firms such as GoCardless, Transferwise and Citymapper all started life in the area, and it’s still home to Buzzfeed, PicFair and a host of design startups. 

If attracting and retaining talented workers is a challenge, office space in this smart and vibrant district can help to give you the edge. Clerkenwell’s quaint streets are lined with plenty of bars and restaurants and it’s within walking distance of hotspots such as Exmouth Market and Angel. 

Read our guide to the area and take a look at our flexible office spaces in Clerkenwell. 

Canary Wharf: Where tech and life sciences meet

With some traditional finance firms leaving their Canary Wharf HQs, the area is now pivoting into a hub for life sciences, technology and media companies. Planning consent has recently been secured to create Europe’s largest life sciences building, and a host of coworking spaces and flexible offices are opening up in the skyscrapers the world’s biggest financial services firms once called home.

The area is also a readymade shopping and entertainment district, giving tech workers access to many amenities they will not find at home.  

Read our guide to Canary Wharf and check out our flexible office spaces in the area. 

Soho: The place for an unbeatable work-life balance

Soho is becoming the new Shoreditch for many tech firms, with the capital’s famous entertainment district transforming into an area where tech employees can work as well as play. 

The creative industries have traditionally flocked to Soho, with advertising, media and film production businesses in the area. There’s an abundance of serviced offices in new build and listed buildings, and with world-class pubs, bars, shops and restaurants, there are plenty of good reasons to make the commute.

Find out more about the area and check out our flexible office spaces in Soho. 

Find Flexible Office Spaces in London’s Best Tech Hubs

At Knight Frank, we can help you find flexible office spaces in the city’s established and emerging tech hubs. Get in touch to discuss your requirements and we’ll use our expertise to find office spaces that are a good match for your needs and budget. We’ll even arrange viewings and negotiate the best deal on your behalf - and our service is free.