Why Portsmouth Coworking Spaces are Ideal for Digital Startups
Portsmouth is fast becoming one of the South Coast's major commercial centres. Hundreds of new businesses are founded here every year, with the rate of company creation being higher than in London.
The city has always attracted the very best talent to service its maritime, defence, and aerospace industries. Now, digital and tech firms have caught on to the highly skilled workforce, infrastructure, and commercial support available here.
As a result, they’re opening up or expanding here in increasing numbers to take advantage of Portsmouth’s amazing talent.
Digital startups have found themselves very welcome in Portsmouth, as they benefit from a business-friendly council and proactive help from the local university. There's a lot of support to get your tech company off the ground here.
In this article, we’ll explain why the tech sector here is thriving. We'll let you know why choosing coworking space in Portsmouth can deliver your business a real commercial advantage. We will also share details of our top five Regus centres available to you in Portsmouth.
7 reasons why tech startups should cowork in Portsmouth
Coworking has been demonstrated to yield positive results for businesses. Studies suggest that companies sharing an open workspace experience enhanced business growth and employee wellbeing.
Here are seven reasons why digital startups should choose coworking space in Portsmouth.
1. International port status
The international port here receives over 650,000 tons of commodities every year. That includes building materials, grain, steel, fuel, fruit, general goods, and wind blades/frames. British businesses export 260,000 tonnes overseas from here.
The international port at Portsmouth is a key meeting point for Britain and the rest of the world. That means that, for startups sourcing stock and equipment from abroad, Portsmouth is the ideal location for your business.
Portsmouth Terminal also welcomes business travellers from Spain, France, and the Channel Islands. The hovercraft offers a swift 10-minute journey to the Isle of Wight, highlighting Portsmouth's accessibility and convenience for professionals on the move.
Portsmouth's connectivity is further underscored by its proximity to Southampton Airport and its five train stations that provide direct links to London. The nearby M27 and M275 motorways also enhance its appeal as a well-connected city.
2. Emergence as a tech hub
The Central South region has become a major hub for SMEs in the digital and tech sectors. Recent growth here has even outpaced both Oxford and Reading.
Nearby Southampton is one of the UK's top five tech superclusters. However, investors and business people are now very keen to join Portsmouth's growing tech scene.
Portsmouth's status as the UK's fourth fastest-growing city bolsters its credibility as an evolving tech hub. This rapid growth indicates a vibrant, expanding economy with a conducive environment for technological innovation and entrepreneurship.
Such a dynamic backdrop offers tech companies, from startups to established firms, a fertile ground for development, collaboration, and success. This emphasises Portsmouth's critical role in the UK's tech landscape.
3. Thames Valley tech hub
Portsmouth is within the Thames Valley Tech Hub, dubbed Europe’s “Silicon Valley” by many investors and policymakers.
The region is home to more than 8,000 tech businesses and attracts billions in investment every year. There are also leading cyber security firms, fintech providers and AI businesses based here. These include Telefonica, Verizon, and Vodafone, three of the world’s top 10 communications businesses.
Portsmouth's tech landscape is diversifying, with emerging clusters in creative and media firms, game developers, life sciences, and health care.
Members of the Portsmouth tech community, such as the communications firm Gamma and the innovative developer Sapphire, are drawing attention for their contributions.
Together, they highlight the city's reputation as a vibrant tech hub and show why demand for coworking space in Portsmouth is high.
4. Well-educated talent pool
Portsmouth has a great selection of schools and educational institutions.
The city is home to prestigious establishments like Portsmouth Grammar and the City of Portsmouth College. For vocational training, the city has South Downs College, Portsmouth College, and Highbury College.
Portsmouth University is one of the top 25 in the country for its academic performance. A recent study showed that over 90% of students started their careers within 15 months after they graduated.
5. Cost-effective solution
With Regus, you can rent coworking space for as little as £119 per person per month. Private office rental in Portsmouth costs from £135 per month with us. Compared with other tech cities in the UK like Bristol, Oxford, and London, your business can enjoy significant savings.
The cost of living is also much lower in Portsmouth. This will help your business attract employees who recognise the importance of balancing professional opportunities and personal expenses.
6. Comprehensive business support
The city and its universities offer businesses, including digital tech companies, a lot of support. It offers helpful services to secure financing, access training, and onboard the right apprentices.
The council itself assists businesses through the Solent Local Enterprise Partnership.
The Future Technology Centre delivers a wealth of resources. This includes free legal and accountancy clinics, and job advertising opportunities targeted at students.
The University of Portsmouth also offers Knowledge Transfer Partnerships. These have been instrumental in aiding over 100 companies to develop their products and services over the past 20 years.
7. Prosperous location
Much of Portsmouth's prosperity comes from its location. It's within 100 miles of the capital and it has first-class road, rail, and sea connections to national and international locations.
It's in the South of England, one of the wealthiest regions in the UK and Europe, with the companies based here growing the local economy at a faster rate than the UK as a whole.
The city is a global centre for the defence, aerospace, maritime, and marine sectors. Companies like IBM and Airbus actively choose Portsmouth because of its many benefits.
The council's active engagement through the Economic Development and Regeneration Strategy ensures Portsmouth's competitive edge. This strategic approach promises a bright future for all sectors, including digital tech, positioning the city for sustained growth in the coming decades.
Coworking spaces in Portsmouth
Choose from these five Portsmouth coworking spaces to discover a range of industry-leading workspaces that are ready to cultivate success for your business.
1. 1000 Lakeside Building
Based on the prestigious Lakeside North Harbour business park, 1000 Lakeside Building is ideal for a digital startup.
There is already a significant tech hub here. Notable brands like AT&T, Molex, ISD, and TotalJobs are part of this important cluster. Move here to take your place among an established and dynamic digital community.
There’s a free shuttle bus that will take you here from Portsmouth. It’s also a five-mile drive from Portsmouth city centre and a train station nearby at Cosham. Southampton Airport is just 19 miles away.
Natural light floods into this popular and stylish centre thanks to its large windows. The building’s centrepiece is a stunning full-height glass atrium that will impress clients and investors on arrival.
For a first office for a digital startup, this coworking space in Portsmouth is ideal. If you’re inviting clients or investors over, there’s a great choice of meeting rooms. When your meeting is over, you can celebrate your new agreement on the centre’s welcoming outside terrace.
There’s plenty to do at Lakeside North Harbour. Take advantage of the beauty salon, five cafes, and on-site Coop store. If you want to burn off some calories, there’s an excellent gym and an outdoor fitness trail in the park.
Highlights include:
- On-site restaurant and coffee bar
- Daycare facilities
- Parking
Information about 1000 Lakeside Building
- Location: Western Road, Portsmouth, Hampshire PO6 3EZ
- Starting cost: From £169 per month
- Opening hours: Private Office and Dedicated Desk access is 24/7 access; Memberships access during reception hours
- Nearby transport links: Events Parking North Harbour Bus Stop (a three-minute walk away) and Cosham Train Station (a 20-minute walk away)
2. Aerodrome Road
Aerodrome Road is a smart and stylish consideration for businesses looking for a Portsmouth coworking space in an accessible location in Gosport near the A32 Fareham Road.
This workspace attracts many startup businesses thanks to the very competitive monthly rates. Another important draw is the site's excellent internet connectivity. There is also a regular networking hub here that’s particularly popular with newer entrepreneurs.
If you want to drive to work, take advantage of the ample on-site parking. There are also plenty of bus stops on Fareham Road that connect you to Portsmouth and the rest of Hampshire.
Around the centre, there is a selection of hotels to choose from if you’ve got clients or investors staying overnight. There’s also a small outdoor shopping centre close by with a supermarket and food outlets.
Highlights include:
- Fully equipped meeting rooms
- Business lounge
- Vending machines
Information about Aerodrome Road
- Location: Aerodrome Road, Gosport PO13 0FQ
- Starting cost: From £139 per month
- Opening hours: Private Office and Dedicated Desk access is 24/7 access; Memberships access during reception hours
- Nearby transport links: Frater Bus Stop (a one-minute walk away) and Brewers Lane Bus Stop (a seven-minute walk away)
3. Solent Business Park
Our Fareham centre is on Solent Business Park, one of the leading commercial estates on the South Coast.
The park is home to a variety of companies, large and small, including a growing number of digital companies. You'll neighbour tech firms like LendingMetrics, Business Technology Partners, and Flight Data Services.
Road connections here are great as the centre is just off the M27. There’s on-site parking and bicycle storage if you’d prefer to come in on two wheels, not four. Southampton Airport is a short 20-minute drive away.
For such a well-appointed centre, the dedicated desks here are very competitively priced. If you expect clients and investors to visit you regularly and you want to impress, this centre will do just that.
The towering atrium at the entrance captures the ambitions you have for your business. Clients and investors will appreciate the views and the ambience of the outside seating area. During meeting breaks, you can take them for a bite to eat at the on-site lunch restaurant.
There’s plenty of space in the coworking areas that feature a stylish, minimalist interior design ethic that inspires. The natural light that illuminates each part of this modern centre both relaxes and drives productivity.
Around the centre, you’ll find the popular Skylark Golf and Country Club. A short drive away on Whiteley Way, there is an excellent outdoor shopping centre complete with restaurants and pubs.
Highlights include:
- On-site lunch restaurant
- Outside seating terrace
- Parking
Information about Solent Business Park
- Location: 4500 Parkway, Fareham, Hampshire PO15 7AZ
- Starting cost: From £159 per month
- Opening hours: Private Office and Dedicated Desk access is 24/7 access; Memberships access during reception hours
- Nearby transport links: Solent Business Park Bus Stop (a three-minute walk away) and Parkway Bus Stop (a 10-minute walk away)
4. Harts Farm Way
Harts Farm Way in Havant is a popular location for digital startups. For new firms investing in R&D, base your firm here to take advantage of the special facilities offered by the Basepoint Innovation Centre.
You can bring the car to work as there's plenty of on-site parking here. Getting here is easy as the centre is just south of the A27/A3(M) junction at Havant. You're also close to both Portsmouth and Chichester.
This fully-equipped centre features business-grade WiFi and the latest high-speed internet connectivity.
The reception team will meet and greet your guests on arrival and show them to one of the many conference rooms you can book for your meeting. For more impromptu get-togethers like a quick meeting with a team member, feel free to use the many break-out areas.
There are popular coworking spaces often occupied by fellow entrepreneurs. If you decide to change to a private office later on, there’s a choice of them available for you when you’re ready.
Havant’s excellent town centre is a short drive away by car. It’s got a great selection of retail outlets plus pubs, bars, and restaurants for entertaining your clients or staff.
Highlights include:
- Showers
- Parking
- Disabled facilities
Information about Harts Farm Road
- Location: Harts Farm Way, Havant, PO9 1HS
- Starting cost: From £149 per month
- Opening hours: Private Office and Dedicated Desk access is 24/7 access; Memberships access during reception hours
- Nearby transport links: Woodbury Avenue Bus Stop (a 20-minute walk away) and Solent Road Bus Stop (a 20-minute walk away)
5. Waterbury Drive
A shared office space in our Portsmouth Waterbury Drive centre in Waterlooville is a trendy choice for startups. Dedicated desks within our coworking spaces start from just £119 per month. You and your starting employees can set up and start trading quickly and at a competitive price.
One of the first things you, your employees, and visitors will notice is the courtyard setting of Waterbury Drive. There are 52 separate office units in the centre as well as an array of spacious coworking spaces.
The bustling town centre is just a short drive away from the centre. There’s a great choice of shops, pubs, and restaurants on London Road and St. George’s Walk. Be sure to check out the beautiful Jubilee Park, managed by the Hampshire Gardens Trust.
Highlights include:
- Parking
- Showers
- Disabled facilities
Information about Waterbury Drive
- Location: Waterberry Drive, Waterlooville PO7 7TH
- Starting cost: From £119 per month
- Opening hours: Private Office and Dedicated Desk access is 24/7 access; Memberships access during reception hours
- Nearby transport links: Milton Road Roundabout Bus Stop (a nine-minute walk away) and Charlesworth Drive Bus Stop (a 10-minute walk away)
Shared office spaces in Portsmouth to establish your business with Regus
Portsmouth is fast becoming one of the leading digital hubs in Britain. Book your shared office space in Portsmouth and join a thriving business community in the city.
If you're away on business, you can book private offices, coworking space, and meeting rooms at any of our centres with a Day Pass. Download the Regus app to check availability and book your space. Consider a Regus membership to access discounts on every booking.
If you'd like to visit our coworking spaces in Portsmouth, get in touch with one of our team today.