Why Surrey Offices are Ideal for Small Businesses
Surrey is a place rich in cultural heritage with a thriving small business community. The county has an established history of trade dating back to the Roman era, where it provided useful connections between London and its surrounding towns.
Today, Surrey’s proximity to London continues to drive business growth across many sectors. The county has a thriving ecosystem, with over 100,000 registered businesses.
The rise of hybrid working and office spaces in places like Surrey has allowed many areas outside of London to thrive.
Surrey offices benefit from the county’s strategic location between the capital city and the ports of Portsmouth Harbour.
The area offers a relatively low operating cost and access to plenty of talent, thanks to its educational institutions. It also offers a supportive community for small businesses, with regular opportunities for networking and collaboration.
Below, we explore why office space in Surrey is ideal for small businesses. We will then look at some of the best rentals we offer at Regus.
8 reasons small businesses should establish a Surrey office space
There are many reasons a small business should consider establishing a Surrey office space. This includes the county’s great transport connections, networking opportunities, and quality of life.
From transport convenience to affordability, we’ve listed eight reasons to settle your business in the South East county of Surrey.
1. Proximity to London
A Surrey office means you’ll be close to London, giving you convenient proximity to England’s capital city.
Trains from Egham, Guilford, Redhill, and Woking reach Clapham Junction in around 30 minutes.
There are also trains from Camberley to Clapham Junction, which take approximately one hour. From there, connections to central London are easy via bus, Tube, or taxi.
Such proximity to London allows a Surrey office space to benefit from the capital’s market while enjoying lower operational costs.
Establishing a business here means you can attend events, network, and enjoy the city’s resources, without the cost of actually having a London office.
2. Supportive business environment
Surrey has a well-developed business ecosystem, with plenty of resources for any growing enterprise. The county has a mix of urban and rural spaces, allowing companies from many sectors to thrive here.
The Surrey Chamber of Commerce offers a lot of help for businesses, including expert advice, training, and events. Centres such as IncuHive offer mentoring and support with marketing, funding, and grants.
Any business with a Surrey office space can easily make the most of these support schemes and organisations.
3. Great transport links
Surrey has fantastic transport links, both within the nearby areas and across the rest of the country.
For example, a Guildford office would have access to regular trains to Reading, Portsmouth, and London Waterloo. There are also trains to Gatwick Airport from Redhill, Reigate, Dorking, and Guildford.
For travel around Surrey, the county has a well-developed network of trains and buses. There are 84 train stations, according to Surrey County Council, making local transport quick and simple.
The bus network is served by a range of operators, including Abellio, Arriva London, and Cardinal Buses. The M25, M3, and A30 also run through the county, offering connections to the rest of the UK for those who prefer to drive.
4. Community and networking opportunities
In Surrey, you’ll be welcomed into a friendly community, with plenty of networking opportunities for businesses. The county has a developed community with business owners keen to meet like-minded people and professionals.
The Surrey branch of the Federation of Small Businesses is very active in the county. The local branch provides networking events and access to training sessions.
Having a serviced office or being part of a coworking space can also offer plenty of opportunities for more informal networking.
5. Affordability and quality of life
Surrey’s more affordable costs when compared to places like London allow small businesses better room to thrive.
As an example. office spaces in Surrey start from just £145 per person per month. Meanwhile, an office in the capital can easily reach £500 for the same terms.
Outside office costs, many areas in Surrey are regularly ranked highly as places with a high quality of life.
Woking received second place in the UK Vitality Index 2024. This research ranks towns and cities in the UK based on their economy, health, and environment.
Epsom was ranked the third best place to live in the UK in a separate 2024 ranking, while the town of Godalming came sixth.
6. Rich in innovation and talent
Having your business centre in Surrey places you at the heart of innovation in the region.
Surrey Research Park is a site of over 200 businesses specialising in science and technology. This includes leading organisations such as BAE Systems, British Land, and Futura Medical.
The University of Surrey is also a hub for academic research and startup innovation. The university produces world-leading research and offers opportunities for business growth in the local area.
7. Thriving business hub
Surrey is a thriving business hub with growth potential in a huge range of sectors.
The area is particularly known for its digital and creative sector. There are over 10,000 businesses in the creative industries, employing around 45,000 people in total.
Surrey also does well in the film, TV, and gaming industries. In 2021, Netflix continued its investment in the area and signed a long-term lease at the legendary Longcross Studios. The studio has made films in the James Bond, Marvel, and Star Wars franchises.
The county is also home to a strong community of around 22,000 tech businesses and 30,000 enterprises in the financial services industry. Surrey offices will be placed in the heart of this network of innovation and talent.
8. Education and research institutions
Surrey is home to exceptional educational institutions, such as the University of Surrey. Royal Holloway, University of London is based in Egham, while the University of Creative Arts has campuses in Canterbury and Epsom.
Such leading universities and colleges provide thousands of talented graduates each year across a vast range of industries and subjects.
Surrey is known for its computer science, engineering, and business graduates, while Royal Holloway is well-regarded in the humanities. UCA itself specialises in media, art, fashion, and design.
This broad spectrum of specialist areas makes Surrey a place that promotes top knowledge in almost any sector. The universities provide local opportunities for collaboration, as well as a talented hiring pool for your business.
Office space for rent in Surrey
Regus provides office space across Surrey, including in Guildford, Egham, Leatherhead, and Camberley. All locations are fully serviced, with many offering options for coworking, flexible working, and virtual offices.
Below you’ll find a selection of some of our top serviced offices in Surrey.
Dorset House
Dorset House is located in Leatherhead’s established research cluster and motor-sport sector. It’s well-connected to the rest of Surrey via the local train station.
Its business park location offers plenty of networking opportunities. The stylish design of the office’s break-out areas provides a pleasant working environment for meetings or catching up with colleagues.
Highlights include
- Meeting rooms
- Break-out areas
- Sandwich service
Information about Dorset House
- Location: Kingston Road, Leatherhead, Surrey, KT22 7PL
- Starting cost: From £169 per month
- Opening hours: Private Office and Dedicated Desk access is 24/7 access;
- Nearby transport links: Regent Park Bus Stop (a three-minute walk away), The Royal Oak Bus Stop (a three-minute walk away)
Woking Town Centre
Woking Town Centre is ideal for businesses needing easy access to London.
The building itself is across the road from Woking Train Station. From there, hundreds of trains go from Woking to London Waterloo each day, with travel times as short as 24 minutes.
This Surrey office space has a fresh design, with wood-panelled bookcases, booths, and furniture. Woking’s central shopping district is just a three-minute walk away, with the art gallery and museum also nearby.
Highlights include
- Meeting rooms
- Break-out areas
- Elevator
Information about Woking Town Centre
- Location: Albion House High Street, Woking, Surrey, GU21 6BG
- Starting cost: From £249 per month
- Opening hours: Private Office and Dedicated Desk access is 24/7 access; Memberships access during reception hours
- Nearby transport links: Woking Train Station (a four-minute walk away), Woking Railway Station Bus Stop (a three-minute walk away), Woking Railway Station Southside Bus Stop (a five-minute walk away)
Austen House
Austen House is a Guildford office space that has stylish, industrial design features and offers easy transport via Guildford station. Its location in the north of the town also makes it convenient for travel to London Heathrow.
The office has a city centre location, meaning shops and eateries are just moments away. You can also take a walk to the nearby National Trust park for a bit of fresh air.
Highlights include
- Meeting rooms
- Break-out areas
- Major transport links
Information about Austen House
- Location: Station View, Guildford, Surrey, GU1 4AR
- Starting cost: From £255 per month
- Opening hours: Private Office and Dedicated Desk access is 24/7 access; Memberships access during reception hours
- Nearby transport links: Guildford Train Station (a five-minute walk away), Guildford Park Car Park Bus Stop (a two-minute walk away), Guildford Station Bus Stop (a five-minute walk away)
Hillswood Business Park
Hillswood Business Park is a popular business park location that lies close to some of Surrey’s best walking trails. It’s also convenient for trips to London, being just 20 minutes away by car.
These serviced offices near Egham feature a central atrium and floor-to-ceiling windows. Many areas of the building offer refreshing views of the Surrey woodland surrounding the office.
Highlights include
- Meeting rooms
- Bicycle storage
- On-site restaurant
Information about Hillswood Business Park
- Location: 3000 Hillswood Drive, Chertsey, Surrey, KT16 0RS
- Starting cost: From £225 per month
- Opening hours: Private Office and Dedicated Desk access is 24/7 access; Memberships access during reception hours
- Nearby transport links: St Peter’s Bus Stop (a 10-minute walk away)
Quatro House
Quatro House is located near Frimley Train Station and the M3. This makes it a prime location for those travelling by train or car.
The office is bright and airy, with a stylish business lounge perfect for meeting clients. The site also has an outdoor seating area and treetop views.
When you need to run an errand or grab lunch, the high street is just a five-minute walk away.
Highlights include
- Meeting rooms
- Business lounge
- Outdoor seating area/terrace
Information about Quatro House
- Location: Frimley Road, Frimley, Surrey, GU16 7ER
- Starting cost: From £145 per month
- Opening hours: Private Office and Dedicated Desk access is 24/7 access; Memberships access during reception hours
- Nearby transport links: Lyon Way Bus Stop (a three-minute walk away), James Road Bus Stop (a five-minute walk away)
London Road
London Road is situated in a thriving business park location in Camberley’s town centre. This business park location offers plenty of opportunities for networking with local businesses.
The office has fully equipped meeting rooms, a business lounge, and a team of friendly on-site staff for support. This location is west of the town centre, offering easy access via the M3 and M25.
Highlights include
- Break-out areas
- Meeting rooms
- Business lounge
- Major transport links
Information about London Road
- Location: 377-399 London Road, Camberley, GU15 3HL
- Starting cost: From £215 per month
- Opening hours: Private Office and Dedicated Desk access is 24/7 access; Memberships access during reception hours
- Nearby transport links: Victoria Avenue Bus Stop (a two-minute walk away), Frimley Road Co-op Bus Stop (a two-minute walk away)
Abbey House Redhill
Abbey House Redhill offers pleasant town views with its floor-to-ceiling windows. Stylish break-out areas boast a variety of options when it comes to meetings or independent work.
The area is also within easy reach of London via Redhill Train Station, which is just a seven-minute walk away.
For downtime after work, there are an array of different amenities, including several nearby restaurants and shops.
Highlights include
- Meeting rooms
- Break-out areas
- Parking
Information about Abbey House Redhill
- Location: 25 Clarendon Road, Redhill. Surrey, RH1 1QZ
- Starting cost: From £185 per month
- Opening hours: Private Office and Dedicated Desk access is 24/7 access; Memberships access during reception hours
- Nearby transport links: Queensway Bus Stop (a four-minute walk away), Redhill Train Station (a seven-minute walk away)
Kingsgate House
Kingsgate House is a stunning glass building that makes an iconic statement in Redhill’s town centre. It’s also located at the intersection of three major railway lines as well as being close to London’s orbital motorway.
Staff and visitors benefit from various break-out areas and meeting rooms suitable for gatherings of all sizes.
The office also offers booths for quiet work and contemplation. The space has a fresh, stylish design that’s contemporary with natural light from its floor-to-ceiling windows.
Highlights include
- Meetings rooms
- Break-out areas
- Elevators
Information about Kingsgate House
- Location: 62 High Street, Redhill, Surrey, RH1 1SG
- Starting cost: From £259 per month
- Opening hours: Private Office and Dedicated Desk access is 24/7 access; Memberships access during reception hours
- Nearby transport links: High Street Bus Stop (a two-minute walk away), Redhill Train Station (a five-minute walk away)
2 Guildford Business Park
2 Guildford Business Park has an out-of-town location, ideal for businesses that want to avoid the hustle and bustle of urban centres.
It has a thriving business park community, specialising in science, technology, and commerce companies. The light-filled space and modern design, combined with its quiet location, will be attractive for creative types and entrepreneurs.
For convenience, a courtesy shuttle bus runs from the office to Guildford Station every 15 minutes.
Highlights include
- Showers
- Disabled facilities
- Bicycle storage
Information about 2 Guildford Business Park
- Location: Guildford Business Park Road, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 8XG
- Starting cost: From £255
- Opening hours: Private Office and Dedicated Desk access is 24/7 access; Memberships access during reception hours
- Nearby transport links: Woodbridge Meadows Bus Stop (a seven-minute walk away), Austin Pierce Bus Stop (an eight-minute walk away)
Establish your business with serviced offices in Surrey
If you want to take advantage of an office space in Surrey, Regus can help your business grow in this splendid county. We have rentals suitable for all sorts of enterprises from all walks of life.
Get in touch with one of our specialists today to find a serviced office space to suit your needs.