Instant is a global office solutions specialist that provides you with anything from serviced to fully managed

offices. Their free broking service can find a ready-made space to suit your business or can even create a

tailored workplace for your unique needs. For more information you can visit their site at

http://www.instantoffices.com

London’s West End City Guide

London’s West End is a fashionable, prestigious area located in the central part of the city. The term

“West End” can refer to the government ward of West End within the City of Westminster; the theatre

area surrounding Leicester Square; and more generally, the popular part of central London containing

a number of landmarks, tourist attractions, businesses, government buildings and shopping centres.

Most Londoners, however, would consider the West End as the area north of Charing Cross and

north east of Hyde Park Corner, which includes Oxford Circus and Covent Garden.

For the purpose of this city guide, we will be focusing on the narrower definition of the West End,

which covers the areas of Covent Garden, Mayfair, Soho, Noho and Piccadilly.

A closer look at the West End

The Soho/Noho area in the West End is incredibly popular, due to its status as a creative hub within

the city. A number of companies in the following industries have made the West End their home,

such as:

Media – Thomson Reuters, WPP, Pearson

Fashion – Burberry, Mulberry, Ted Baker

Design – Imagination, Reading Room, Elmwood

Advertising & PR – Abbott Mead Vickers BBDO, Bartle Bogle Hegarty, Publicis London

For exclusive office property, boutique style and a prestigious postcode, then Mayfair is the ideal

solution. Industries in this area include:

Hedge funds - Odey Asset Management, Spinnaker Capital, Egerton Capital

Finance & Investment– PricewaterhouseCoopers, Barclays Private Banking, Lloyds TSB

Private Banking

Law – Ronald Fletcher Baker, Fladgate, Covent Garden Family Law

Many hedge funds, finance/investment companies and law firms can be found in this part of the West

End. With a Mayfair address, companies are guaranteed to impress clients and bolster their

reputation. Offices in Berkeley Street, for example, are some of the most sought-after in London.

As for the versatile Covent Garden, the area is attractive for both financial and creative firms. Defence

companies and the MOD also have a presence in Covent Garden, and the location is particularly

popular with American businesses, including internet company Facebook, who opened their first

engineering services office outside of the US in 2012.

Looking to rent in the West End?

If you’re considering a serviced office or co-working environment, prices are based ‘per person’, which

normally equates to approximately 60sq ft for a fully furnished and cabled office on a ‘ready-to-go’

basis. For Soho and Noho, you’re looking at around £600-£700 per person per month, whilst office

space in Covent Garden/Piccadilly is priced at £700-£800 per person per month. Exclusive Mayfair

business centres typically cost around £900-£1200 per person per month.

The only additional charges are IT (£70-£99 per person per month) and VAT. You get a private office

for these prices in a shared business centre, with communal areas such as kitchens, break spaces

and a fully-staffed reception.

The West End market is fairly stable, and prices do not fluctuate much. This is due to the fact that

many building are listed and thus further development isn’t allowed, which means there isn’t a regular

supply of new offices.

For businesses looking to move into the area, our expert West End consultant, Bobby Sodeiri,

recommends Noho or the area north of Oxford Circus, as prices are more reasonable than in other

parts of the West End.

If you’re looking for history, character, period buildings and a prestigious location, then do consider

becoming a tenant in the West End. Quite apart from its business credentials, there are a number of

award-winning restaurants, fantastic shopping opportunities and excellent transport links in the area.

Why do businesses love the West End?

You don’t just have to take our word for it – we’ve asked a number of businesses in the area why they

love working in the West End.

Regent Street Online (A community business site)

From their Twitter account: “The beautiful architecture of our surroundings and diverse range of

flagship stores makes Regent Street an incredible place.”

Paramount (Restaurant, bar and events space located at the top of Centre Point)

Joel Porter, who looks after Paramount’s PR, said: “I love it’s [W1’s] vibrancy and quirkiness. There is

always something fun and surprising happening. There is no other place like it! It’s a world-class

destination, and the epicentre of power and influence, along with fashion, shopping and dining.”

Bartle Bogle Hegarty (Advertising agency in Soho)

Sarah Pollard, Communications Director at BBH, told us that “We can walk to many meetings from

where we are and, of course, we are surrounded by the best restaurants and shops in the world!”

As for what makes the West End great? “Traditional landmarks mixed with culture, mixed with

commerce, mixed with retail. It's got everything.”

For more information about office space in London’s West End contact Instant Offices at

hq@instantoffices.com