Capital cities have traditionally been at the centre of a country’s commercial concerns. They tend to be centrally located, acting – physically and metaphorically – as the core of the country’s existence. They become beacons to the international community, sending out a clear message that everything that the country stands for is embodied in this metropolitan powerhouse. No city embodies this tradition more than London – and nothing embodies global business more than London office space.
Because London is more than just another city. For most visitors to the UK, it is their first (and often only) destination. To the many tourists who visit, Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, Beefeaters, red buses and cheerful cockneys are synonymous with London and synonymous with the UK in general. Choosing London office space for your business signals to international investors and cosmopolitan clients that your organisation is both distinctively British and inarguably international in its business practice.
But London’s reputation extends beyond its landmarks and tourist hotspots. The City of London – otherwise known as ‘The City’ or the ‘Square Mile’, is one of the most powerful financial centres in the world, on a par with New York City. Canary Wharf – with its iconic skyscrapers and scenic riverside location – is a similarly famous business district, playing host to many global business brands. Canary Wharf and City of London office space is highly sought-after, and their central location makes these areas ideal for those travelling to and from the fringes of London and the rest of the UK.
Despite their centrality, many businesses choose to locate outside of these famous financial districts – instead choosing London office space in surrounding areas such as Shoreditch, Mayfair and Covent Garden. These areas are still very much in the core of the capital, and because of excellent transport links, they make excellent locations for that big business move into London office space – and they’re within easy reach of international visitors because London is so easy to get around.
London’s public transport is exemplary. The London Underground – commonly known as the ‘Tube’ – stretches across central London and its outskirts, serving more than 3 million passengers every day. There are also hundreds of bus routes that wind around the city, and excellent national rail links – with some of London’s train stations such as Paddington, King’s Cross and Euston becoming tourist attractions in their own right. This highly-developed transport system makes London popular with commuters, many of whom travel from rural areas to their busy jobs in modern London office space.
For businesses with global concerns, however, the real draw of London office space is the prevalence of international transport links. London has five major airports – the largest being Gatwick, the world’s second busiest airport, joined by Heathrow, Stansted, Luton and the single-runway London City Airport. International business trips are made even easier by high-speed rail links such as Heathrow Express – which takes passengers between the airport and London Paddington in a matter of minutes.