Reading has become a key residential and commercial market in the South East. The EY Regional Economic Forecast lists the town as the ‘fastest growing location’ in the UK.
Reading also has a strong technology sector, with the most digital tech start-up companies outside of London. As a result, offices in Reading are ideal for IT companies.
If you’re looking for office space to rent in Reading for your IT business, this guide will outline benefits.
Why you should choose Reading for your IT business
Reading has become a hub of international business, with major tech brands moving into the area.
Big names like Oracle and Microsoft have their UK headquarters in the town. Meanwhile, Amazon has an office in Green Park, joining the other large tech companies and smaller enterprises here.
Here are seven reasons why you should choose an office to rent in Reading for your IT business.
1. Affordable
Compared to other UK locations, office space in Reading offers a more affordable option for businesses. Reading office spaces often come out more cost-effective than options in London, Oxford, and Cambridge.
Prices for renting Reading offices can vary depending on the size and type of office space. Regus offices range from £125 to £199 per person per month.
As serviced offices in Reading often include various amenities, they can offer your IT business great value for money.
2. Opportunities for growth
Reading’s thriving tech ecosystem provides ample growth opportunities for IT businesses. With the town’s expanding economy, new businesses are calling the area home . As such, these companies will benefit from the IT services you provide.
Reading is also home to a robust talent pool. The town’s workforce ranks in the UK top five for qualification levels and productivity. Access to skilled IT professionals will make it easier to recruit top talent and scale your team.
3. Primed for commercial and residential development
Reading is on the cusp of a significant commercial and residential boom. The average property price rose by 0.6% between June 2021 and 2022. This rise made property prices 5.6% higher than the average price growth rate for England.
Prime office space is also in high demand. Securing offices in Reading is a wise decision as the area becomes thriving.
By getting in early, your business can make the most of this rising demand. This way, your business can establish a strong presence in this emerging market.
4. Connectivity
Reading’s central location makes it a major UK transport link, with easy access to national rail networks and the M4. Heathrow Airport is half an hour away by car.
The town is 24 miles from Oxford and 36 miles from central London, as well as being close to commuter belt areas like Theale and Bracknell.
Reading train station caters for 17 million passengers each year. The opening of the Elizabeth Line has added an extra five services per hour from Reading train station to central London, creating direct connections to London business districts like Canary Wharf.
5. Educated workforce
Thanks to healthy job opportunities, Reading is a popular destination for graduate employment. The town’s largest age demographic is 20-39 at 34.2%.
As of 2021, 40.4% of the town’s residents aged 16-74 had a level four qualification or above, which is the equivalent of a bachelor’s degree.
With so many qualified professionals, your IT business will have a large, educated workforce to hire from.
6. Work/life balance
Compared to some areas of the UK, Reading offers affordable cost of living without compromising quality of life.
The town’s central retail hub is home to many stores, restaurants, entertainment and leisure facilities. Reading also has ample green space, with more than 100 parks and playgrounds.
Each August, the town hosts Reading Festival, the second-largest music event in the UK. Plus, Reading’s proximity to London means the capital’s amenities and opportunities are never far away.
7. Variety of office space in Reading
There is a wide variety of offices to rent in Reading. This means IT businesses of any size can find a location to suit them.
Modern coworking spaces in the town centre are ideal for small IT businesses and start-ups. These spacious private offices in Reading’s business parks are also suitable for established or expanding IT firms.
Depending on your business’ needs and preferences, you have plenty of choice when you rent office space in Reading.
Office spaces in Reading for IT businesses
Whether you’d prefer a location in central Reading or out of town, Regus has office spaces in Reading that can scale with your IT business.
9 Greyfriars Road
9 Greyfriars Road is a high-tech workspace in the heart of Reading. It's the first business centre in the southeast to earn an outstanding BREEAM rating. This means the building meets the highest standards of sustainability performance.
Reading town centre is also great for hosting clients, as you'll find many restaurants and hotels nearby.
Highlights include:
- Break-out areas
- Meeting rooms
- Parking
Information about 9 Greyfriars Road
- Location: 9 Greyfriars Road, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 1NU
- Starting cost: Private offices from £199 per person per month
- Opening hours: 24-hour access for Private Office and Dedicated Desk members, reception hours for other members
Forbury Square
Revel in the vibrancy of a redeveloped business district with a Reading office at Forbury Square. This office location features bright, spacious workspaces with floor-to-ceiling windows.
You can also enhance your work-life balance with the many local shops and restaurants. The space also offers stunning views of the award-winning Forbury Gardens. You can take advantage of the business hub’s many amenities.
Highlights include:
- A drop-in business lounge
- Break-out areas
- Meeting rooms
- Shower facilities
- Vending machines
Information about Forbury Square
- Location: Forbury Square, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 3EU
- Starting cost: Private offices from £199 per person per month
- Opening hours: 24-hour access for Private Office and Dedicated Desk members, reception hours for other members
- Nearby stations: Kings Road Bus Stop (a one-minute walk away), two Market Place MA and MC Bus Stops (a three-minute walk away), and Reading Station (a seven-minute walk away)
400 Thames Valley Park Drive
Let your IT business flourish at 400 Thames Valley Park Drive, a desirable location east of central Reading. This office location is home to renowned technology, energy, and financial services companies.
This Regus office has bright workspaces that feature ergonomic furniture and high-speed WiFi. You can also unwind during breaks with peaceful walks along the scenic River Thames.
400 Thames Valley Park Drive is within easy access of the M4. There’s also a free shuttle bus service to Reading town centre.
Highlights include:
- Break-out areas
- Café
- Video conferencing studio
- Business lounge
- An on-site sandwich and coffee bar
- Sandwich service
- Vending machines
- Meeting rooms
Information about 400 Thames Valley Park Drive
- Location: 400 Thames Valley Park Drive, Reading, Berkshire, RG6 1PT
- Starting cost: Private offices from £125 per person per month
- Opening hours: 24-hour access for Private Office and Dedicated Desk members, reception hours for other members
- Nearby stations: Oracle Parkway Bus Stop (a four-minute walk away), two Microsoft Bus Stops (a 12-minute walk away), and Thames Valley Park and Ride (a 13-minute walk away)
Green Park
Choose sustainable workspaces and first-class amenities for your IT business at Green Park. Located south of Reading, near Longwater Lake, Green Park is a convenient choice for businesses of all sizes.
You can also relax after work by watching sports at nearby venues like Reading Football Club and London Irish Rugby Club. The office sits within a business park, situating users amongst like-minded professionals.
Highlights include:
- A large, open-plan reception area
- State-of-the-art workspaces
- Break-out areas
- Business lounge
- Parking
- Sandwich service
- Outside seating area and terrace
- Vending machines
Information about Green Park
- Location: 200 Brook Drive, Reading, Berkshire, RG2 6UB
- Starting cost: Private offices from £155 per person per month
- Opening hours: 24-hour access for Private Office and Dedicated Desk members, reception hours for other members
- Nearby stations: 250 Brook Drive Bus Stop (a three-minute walk away), 100 Brook Drive Bus Stop (a four-minute walk away), and Reading Green Park Station (a 15-minute walk away)
Arlington Business Park
Set your IT business apart from competitors by renting Reading office space at Arlington Business Park. This exquisite lakeside office building sits in the heart of a thriving business community.
Opt for a private office or hot desk in the dynamic coworking spaces to work alongside other ambitious professionals. There are also break-out areas for creative sessions.
During breaks, rejuvenate by taking a stroll around the business park’s picturesque lake.
Enjoy an easy commute with direct routes from Reading, London, and Bristol via the M4. Heathrow Airport is just a short drive away, and Theale station is within walking distance.
Highlights include:
- Break-out areas
- Nearby lake
- Close to airport
Information about Arlington Business Park
- Location: Arlington Business Park, Reading, RG7 4SA
- Starting cost: Private offices from £199 per person per month
- Opening hours: 24-hour access for Private Office and Dedicated Desk members, reception hours for other members
- Nearby stations: Arlington Business Park Bus Stop (a three-minute walk away) and Theale train station (a 13-minute walk away)
Find your ideal office space in Reading with Regus
It’s easy to find offices in Reading to suit your IT business needs with Regus. We offer private offices to rent for any team size and can meet bespoke requirements.
Work your way with Regus serviced offices in Reading.