Why Southwark Office Space is the Ideal Location for Your Business
Southwark, a historically rich district in London, has evolved into a hub of commercial and creative activity. Strategically located south of the Thames, it combines a rich cultural heritage, exemplified by landmarks like Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, with a vibrant, modern economy.
Today, it’s home to one of the fastest-growing parts of the London economy and has become a magnet for both innovative startups and established international corporations.
The demand for office space here reflects Southwark’s status as a prime destination for firms looking to benefit from its thriving business ecosystem.
In this article, we’ll explore six compelling reasons why Southwark stands out as a top choice for businesses. We’ll then share three state-of-the-art Regus business centres in Southwark.
6 reasons to rent office space in Southwark
From a supportive council to its strategic location in the city, here are 6 great reasons to open up or move to Southwark:
1. London business hub
Businesses in Southwark enjoy direct access to the London Business Hub. This Hub serves as a comprehensive resource for strategic business support and advice.
The “Start, Scale, Grow” program has been a particular success. It helps owners gain the essential skills and confidence to build their firms.
Take part in their series of masterclasses on key topics like financial planning through to digital marketing. One-to-one mentoring is also available to ambitious entrepreneurs.
Southwark is also home to other established business groups, such as the Camberwell Business Network and the Southwark Chamber of Commerce. These groups facilitate vital networking opportunities for entrepreneurs to help discover valuable new contacts.
2. Strategically located borough
Southwark is a recognised centre for business surrounded by other key commercial districts in the capital.
Over the river is the City of London, the top global financial centre. Here, you’ll find banks, venture capitalists, private equity firms, traders and brokers.
To the west of the City is Temple, home to many leading legal firms as well as the Royal Courts of Justice. Most of the Magic Circle firms, a group of prestigious and multinational London-headquartered law firms including Linklater and Slaughter & May, are just outside Temple in Spitalfields.
Heading further west are the Covent Garden area and Soho. Covent Garden is host to high-end, independent retail and Soho to an established creative business cluster.
Just along from Covent Garden is Westminster. The historic seat of power in the UK, it’s where government departments, PR firms and many important fintechs locate themselves.
To the west of Southwark, is South Bank and Waterloo and its clusters in design, media, tech and architecture. The South Bank is home to major companies like IBM, News Group, PwC and EY.
Establish a base for your company in Southwark and you can sit alongside the capital’s most integral business communities.
3. Economic diversity
Southwark stands out as a robust economic powerhouse in London. It boasts an impressive array of businesses and a thriving job market. Home to 18,000 businesses, it is a vibrant employment hub with 302,000 people contributing to its economic success.
The cumulative economic value generated here annually is a staggering £20 billion, underscoring Southwark's critical role in the national economy.
The key sectors driving Southwark’s economy include:
- Professional, scientific and technical
- Information and communication
- Wholesale and retail
- Administrative and support services
- Accommodation and food services
Notably, the professional sector is a major employer, accounting for 22% of jobs.
Southwark hosts both large and small businesses. Notable large companies include HG Capital, Iron Mountain, and Norton Rose Fulbright. The borough also supports over 15,000 smaller businesses, each with fewer than 10 employees.
This mix of businesses in different industries and different sizes creates a diverse and innovative economic landscape. It’s this diversity that has driven the borough’s recent success.
4. Supportive business environment
Southwark Council is leading the way in London with a clear, pro-business agenda.
Their efforts are evident in the significant increase of 37% in the number of companies in the area, welcoming 4,500 new businesses. The Council's commitment to business growth has also facilitated employment opportunities, helping 12,000 people into work and creating over 4,000 apprenticeships.
The Council's strategy for the upcoming years is ambitious and inclusive.
They’re actively seeking more ways to help grow individual firms and the economy as a whole. The council is focusing particularly on sectors like life sciences, digital, creative and the green economy.
Other initiatives implemented by Southwark Council include:
- A starter pack for businesses getting off the ground
- A regular e-newsletter containing help, support and notification of business opportunities
- The “Growth Impact Fund” for early stages firms wanting to improve diversity
- The “Southwark Pioneers Fund”, a program of support for founders and entrepreneurs
5. Transportation infrastructure
Southwark stands out for its exceptional transport connections, crucial for businesses prioritising accessibility. Getting to and from here is quick and convenient for you, your staff, and your clients.
The borough is equipped with eight Tube stations, including significant ones like Canada Water, Bermondsey, and London Bridge. This extensive Tube network guarantees seamless access throughout London, making Southwark a well-connected point in the city.
Train travel adds another layer of convenience. Southwark has direct links to major train stations like London Bridge and Waterloo. These connections facilitate easy travel to and from the area, further enhancing its appeal as a business hub.
A variety of bus routes cover the borough, linking it to key areas such as Clerkenwell, Rotherhithe, Walworth and the Old Kent Road. This extensive bus network ensures that even the more remote parts of the city are accessible from Southwark.
Southwark's transportation infrastructure presents a compelling case for businesses looking to establish an office in a well-connected London borough.
6. Business improvement district
There are five Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) in the area. These BIDs, covering dynamic locales like Bankside and London Bridge, are funded through local levies from businesses.
BIDs contribute to making the area more business-friendly through physical improvements.
They provide street wardens to provide extra security to local businesses. They make sure that the streets are clean and graffiti-free. They invest in greening and improving open spaces that members of the public and visitors can enjoy.
Furthermore, BIDs actively promote the area through marketing initiatives and events. This helps increase local business visibility and drives foot traffic, bolstering sales and growth opportunities.
Southwark's BIDs play a vital role in nurturing a supportive and prosperous business environment.
Regus offices available in Southwark
Regus offers a range of different office space options for our clients.
We have private offices for use only by your company and staff. We can customise your workspace to your preferences to match your branding if you like.
Given the flexible floor plates within our centres, we can join offices together to create just the space you need as you grow. This is particularly popular with larger businesses.
We also provide dedicated desks within coworking areas. This is a favoured option for many SMEs, freelancers and remote employees. They appreciate the networking and collaboration opportunities this way of working offers.
We have office space to rent in Southwark at three prime locations. When you see the centre that might be right for you, get in touch with us to arrange a viewing time.
London Bridge More London
Award-winning architects Foster + Partners designed the impressive London Bridge More London. This is a collection of 11 stunning glass buildings situated right on the South Bank of the River Thames.
This Regus London office space provides your business with an address that’s a real statement of intent. This is prime fintech territory and you’ll be neighbours to big players like Curve, GoCardless and Monzo. There is an important professional services cluster here too.
From the large windows, you’ll see the river and the city stretch out before you. It’s a real experience here, one that will buzz and motivate you and your staff. If you want to make a stand-out impression to clients and investors, invite them to join you in one of our state-of-the-art meeting rooms.
This is truly a fully-featured centre. Our stylish and contemporary office space has secure underground parking if you want to bring the car in.
Getting here by public transport is easy by bus, the Underground and trains. If you prefer two wheels, there’s bicycle storage here too.
Treat yourself to great food and drink at our in-house bistro and restaurant. If you’re in a hurry, use one of our well-stocked vending machines.
Surrounding the centre is the best of what London’s South Bank has to offer. If you fancy some quiet time, go out onto our outside terrace or stroll along to sublime Potters Field Park, just by Tower Bridge. There’s a great choice of pubs, bars, restaurants, and leisure facilities close by as well.
Highlights include:
- On-site coffee bar and restaurant
- Secure underground parking
- Bicycle storage
Information about London Bridge More London:
- Address: 3 More London Riverside, London, SE1 2RE
- Private offices: From £435 per month
- Coworking space: From £415 per month
- Opening hours: Private Office and Dedicated Desk access is 24/7; Membership access during reception hours
- Nearest transport links: Unicorn Theatre (Stop J) Bus Stop (a two-minute walk away), London Bridge Station (a four-minute walk away), and London Bridge Underground (a seven-minute walk away)
Borough High Street
The popular Regus Borough High Street centre is in a modern six-storey building at the intersection with Union Street.
This imposing building stands out on this historic thoroughfare thanks to its bold, confident façade. The interior benefits from a modern and contemporary finish. Natural light floods the space thanks to the floor-to-ceiling windows. The ambience energises and motivates the people who work here.
This is a well-connected location on many major bus routes and with a Tube and train station within a few minutes’ walk. There’s parking here if you want to bring your car to work.
Borough High Street and the surrounding area are home to a bustling business community. Other important commercial centres are a short taxi ride away. Being here will open up real networking and collaboration opportunities for your company.
For after work, there’s always a lot going on here. Borough High Street is fast becoming one of London’s most celebrated culinary hotspots. There’s also a great selection of pubs on both sides of the street. There are few better places in the capital to celebrate success with your team.
Highlights include:
- Meeting rooms
- On-site parking
- 24-hour CCTV monitoring
Information about Borough High Street:
- Address: 100 Borough High Street, London SE1 1LB
- Private offices: From £255 per month
- Coworking space: From £245 per month
- Opening hours: Private Office and Dedicated Desk access is 24/7; Membership access during reception hours
- Nearest transport links: Union Street (Stop G) Bus Stop (a one-minute walk away), Borough Underground (a five-minute walk away), and London Bridge Station (an eight-minute walk away)
London Bridge The News Building
Next door to the world-famous Shard skyscraper sits the Regus London Bridge The News Building centre.
This part of Southwark is home to a cluster of influential media and publishing firms including News UK, Dow Jones, and HarperCollins. There’s also a booming professional services cluster that flourishes here too.
What stands out straight away when you first enter our workspace is its stylish warehouse look. Floor-to-ceiling windows bathe the centre in light, a boon for productivity and creativity.
Here, you’ll find a great selection of private offices and coworking spaces for you and your colleagues. Regus office space has a reputation for fostering networking and collaboration and this is certainly true here.
Away from the office, this part of London has a lot to offer. There’s great shopping in the surrounding streets and an expansive range of pubs and eateries. Make sure you take the time to go into Borough Market, the capital’s favourite food market.
Highlights include:
- Disabled facilities
- Modern kitchen area
- 24-hour CCTV monitoring
Information about London Bridge The News Building:
- Address: 3 London Bridge Street, London SE1 9SG
- Private offices: From £435 per month
- Coworking space: From £415 per month
- Opening hours: Private Office and Dedicated Desk access is 24/7; Membership access during reception hours.
- Nearest transport links: London Bridge Bus Station (a one-minute walk away), London Bridge Underground (a three-minute walk away), and London Bridge Station (a four-minute walk away)
Discover serviced offices in Southwark with Regus
Southwark is a prosperous area of the capital city popular with companies of all sizes. Its character, the quality of the people and its proximity to other important areas of London make a compelling commercial case.
Become part of the local business community by renting office space in Southwark from Regus, from our worldwide network of over 4,000 centres.
As a client, you can use any of our private offices, shared workspaces and meeting rooms. Download the Regus app, check availability at all our locations, and book your Day Pass directly.
If you travel a lot, become a Regus Member to enjoy a discount on all your bookings.
To speak with one of our team about renting office space in Southwark from Regus, please get in touch today.