Why Camden Offices are Ideal for Startups and SMEs

Posted on: 19th February 2024

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Camden is one of London’s most exciting boroughs for business. From its alternative culture to its dynamic economy, this area gives small companies an environment where they can flourish.

Emerging businesses are choosing Camden Town office space. As of 2023, the borough boasts over 13,000 new companies per 100,000 residents. This puts Camden at the head of the pack when it comes to startup creation in London.

The local council invests in fostering this growth by injecting money, expertise, and resources into the area. Aside from its affordable workspace plan, Camden Council partners with the Knowledge Quarter to provide business support.

This leads to initiatives like the Future Camden Fund, a council-led programme with a value of £350,000. The fund helps micro-businesses with a focus on diversity and sustainability.

Creative SMEs will enjoy Camden’s more relaxed atmosphere. The local markets have a vibrant history that attracts some of the brightest minds in their industries.

Known as the next Palo Alto, Camden has attracted significant investments including over $500m from Saul Klein to support tech startups and SMEs.

In this guide, we’ll discuss why your startup should consider an office in Camden.

Why startups and SMEs should choose a Camden office space

Camden is a diverse neighbourhood with a strong entrepreneurial attitude. Its central location provides connectivity, but the area has a proud history of unconventionality.

This creates an encouraging environment for startups looking to work somewhere stimulating.

Let’s explore eight reasons why serviced offices in Camden could work for you:

1. Rich business culture

Camden has a thriving small business culture, with 79% of businesses being small local enterprises with one site. This is due to high satisfaction with the Council, as well as the borough’s close-knit business community.

This culture stems from the area’s former food and produce markets. Attracting people from all walks of life to Camden, it is this diverse and dynamic environment that supports the local economy today.

Successful SMEs like Camden Town Brewery continue to contribute to this diversity.

2. Innovative workspaces

When it comes to office space, Camden Town has a reputation for innovation. The local council has delivered initiatives to attract businesses across a range of industries.

From tech and retail to the arts and entertainment, startups and SMEs in these sectors can receive financial support to find a workspace that suits their needs. It has even provided access to free coworking spaces.

This is particularly valuable to startups looking to save on overheads in their initial phase.

3. Supportive community

Camden recognises that its micro-businesses are vital to the local economy. The business community is inclusive, with larger enterprises offering help to local startups and SMEs.

Camden Council has partnered with the School for Social Entrepreneurs for the second round of the Future Camden Fund. This will provide Match Trading grants and loans for social enterprises.

They also offer peer support, learning courses and mentoring as part of this initiative.

With this initiative, Camden Council has been able to fund 11 new grassroots businesses that can now share their success across the local economy.

4. Dynamic environment

Camden’s neighbourhoods are part of the diverse history of the borough. Kentish Town is home to many independently owned shops, venues and establishments.

Chalk Farm to the north of the borough also boasts a diverse range of micro-businesses.

Overall, Camden is home to the third-highest number of businesses in the UK. With 86% of these employing fewer than 10 employees, it’s clear that the area has no shortage of dynamic and agile entrepreneurs.

5. Collaboration opportunities

Small businesses thrive on collaboration. The borough offers several networking opportunities, such as through attending Urban Partners meetings.

This brings together big brands in the area like Google and Eurostar with local shops, restaurants and startups.

Camden Council is also working on a four-year project known as LIFT. Partnering with Capital Enterprise and other London councils, LIFT promotes collaboration in the knowledge sector.

If you’re a tech, life sciences or creative SME, you can get involved to grow and recruit local talent.

6. Entrepreneurial culture

There’s an undeniable energy in Camden’s business sphere. Entrepreneurs are attracted here thanks to the proximity to London’s financial centre.

Even though it’s close to Westminster, Camden retains its enterprising spirit. The presence of big-name academic institutions encourages entrepreneurship. Much of the University of London campus is in the area, alongside the world-famous LSE.

LSE has the highest percentage of world-leading research of any UK university. It is this culture of innovation that is woven through the local business community.

7. Attractive central location

If you choose an office to rent in Camden, you’ll position your startup in one of the best-connected locations in London. From Camden High Street, you can reach the City of London in under 20 minutes.

In an hour, you can enjoy a host of international connections from Heathrow Airport. This is ideal for SMEs looking to expand into global markets.

Recently, the Underground network around Camden Town has also become 4G and 5G capable. If you’re travelling to your office from elsewhere in London, you can stay connected on the move.

8. Local business density

Camden has a high density of small businesses in its local ecosystem. In the southern part of the borough, there are over 11,000 businesses with local units.

This extends to the knowledge economy. Research shows a significant volume of barristers and management consultants operate in Camden’s south.

Where there is a large number of small businesses in the same sector, there’s a thriving idea exchange. If you’re a professional services SME, Camden presents the chance to build a supportive network for your business.

Serviced offices in Camden

For startups and SMEs, office space in Camden provides a solid foundation for your business. Our centres give you space to work in this diverse, business-friendly borough, with flexible terms letting you focus on growth.

If you’re not sure how much desk space you need, day office passes are available to help you decide.

Regus offers five key workspaces in the Camden area. We’ve outlined their benefits, based on location, nearby companies, and the facilities each business centre offers.

Bloomsbury Square

Work in a cultural hotspot at our Bloomsbury Square office. An ideal pick for media startups with links to the knowledge sector, these offices are a stone’s throw from the British Museum.

This neighbourhood is a central hub for UK media, being the home of such renowned cultural icons. These include Bloomsbury Publishing, the publishers of the Harry Potter series, as well as the Bloomsbury Group, consisting of intellectuals like Virginia Woolf and John Maynard Keynes.

Take advantage of Bloomsbury Square’s bar-style coworking spaces for informal collaboration. Networking opportunities exist with nearby software companies and language centres.

The centre is a few minutes away from a major University of London campus.

Highlights include

  • Fully equipped meeting rooms
  • Collaborative break-out areas
  • Renovated historic building

Information about Bloomsbury Square

  • Location: 4-4a Bloomsbury Square, London, WC1A 2RP
  • Starting cost: Private offices from £189 per person per month
  • Opening hours: 24/7 for Private Office and Dedicated Desk members, reception hours for other members
  • Nearby transport links: Bloomsbury Square Stop B Bus Stop (a four-minute walk away), Holborn Underground Station (a four-minute walk away), and Tottenham Court Road Underground Station (a nine-minute walk away)

Euston Station

Choose an in-demand central location with office space at Euston Station. If you travel for work, this centre is across the road from one of London’s major transport links.

With its traditional red-brick exterior and modern facilities, this centre is sure to impress. You’ll share space with legal services like MSC Notaries and several legal micro-businesses. Networking is possible thanks to the open coworking spaces.

Our Euston Station centre provides a well-connected base with a business lounge for visiting clients.

Highlights include

  • Collaborative break-out areas
  • Disabled facilities
  • Business lounge

Information about Euston Station

  • Location: 16 Upper Woburn Place, London, WC1H 0AF
  • Starting cost: From £245 per month
  • Opening hours: 24/7 for Private Office and Dedicated Desk members, reception hours for other members
  • Nearby transport links: Upper Woburn Place Bus Stop (a one-minute walk away), Euston Train Station (a three-minute walk away), Euston Square Underground Station (a six-minute walk away)

Kings Cross

Do business in a professional community at our striking, five-story Kings Cross office. For professional services micro-businesses, this business centre is in London’s legal quarter.

This centre provides flexible office space for rent in Camden’s affluent south neighbourhood. You’ll be close to the major King’s Cross station, and Camden Town is less than 10 minutes via the Northern line.

Our Kings Cross office is perfect for startups with European connections. The Eurostar London Terminal is a few minutes walk from your doorstep.

Highlights include

  • Secure bike racks
  • Showers
  • Disabled facilities

Information about Kings Cross

  • Location: 344-354 Gray’s Inn Road, London, WC1X 8BP
  • Starting cost: From £225 per month
  • Opening hours: 24/7 for Private Office and Dedicated Desk members, reception hours for other members
  • Nearby transport links: Swinton Street Bus Stop (a two-minute walk away), King’s Cross St. Pancras Underground Station (a two-minute walk away), King’s Cross Train Station (a four-minute walk away)

Tottenham Court Road

Get ahead of the crowd with office space at Tottenham Court Road. Presenting flexible workspace by the hour or by the day, this business centre sits at the heart of London’s media district.

Connect with investors in our bookable meeting rooms. The floor-to-ceiling windows make for a light and airy space to collaborate and present.

Tottenham Court Road is a superb choice for SMEs looking to expand their space. Aside from media and PR, the area is home to architects and construction consultants.

Highlights include

  • Decked roof terrace
  • Collaborative break-out areas
  • Fully equipped meeting rooms

Information about Tottenham Court Road

  • Location: 85 Tottenham Court Road, London, W1T 4TQ
  • Starting cost: From £245 per month
  • Opening hours: 24/7 for Private Office and Dedicated Desk members, reception hours for other members
  • Nearby transport links: Goodge Street Station Bus Stop (a one-minute walk away) and Goodge Street Underground Station (a two-minute walk away)

Hamilton House Euston

It’s hard to be better connected than at our Hamilton House Euston offices. This address sits between Euston and King’s Cross stations, with continental links via St. Pancras International.

Life Sciences startups can connect with the nearby laboratories. The Doctors Laboratory is the largest independent provider of pathology services in the UK.

At this centre, we offer high-speed internet access as well as bookable meeting rooms. For lunch breaks, visit the on-site lunch restaurant or the many choices available in the neighbourhood.

Highlights include

  • On-site lunch restaurant
  • Collaborative break-out areas
  • Vending machines

Information about Hamilton House Euston

  • Location: Mabledon Place, London, WC1H 9BB
  • Starting cost: From £209 per month
  • Opening hours: 24/7 for Private Office and Dedicated Desk members, reception hours for other members
  • Nearby transport links: British Library Stop B Bus Stop (a one-minute walk away), Euston Underground Station (a seven-minute walk away), King’s Cross Train Station (an eight-minute walk away)

Rent offices in Camden to establish your business with Regus

Office space in Camden provides your startup with a flexible launch pad for future success. This dynamic borough is a beacon of entrepreneurship.

If you’re looking for affordable offices, Camden is a strategic choice amidst London’s often high costs. From Tottenham Court to Euston, the borough is a thriving business zone for emerging entrepreneurs.

At Regus, we’re here to help you find the right office for you. Talk to our expert advisors today and discover your new space in central London.

Topics in this article

  • Area Guides

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