Reading, Berkshire is a well-established satellite business hub. Situated 40 miles west of London with a net influx of morning commuters, this Thames Valley town offers a strong business environment.
Office space in Reading places businesses in an established technology cluster. Since the 1960s, early-tech innovators have opened offices in Reading’s commercial district.
This trend continues today, with Reading as one of the UK's top five performing innovation economies. The town is also a principal retail destination.
Reading is home to British headquarters as well as multinational companies. Aside from tech giants Microsoft and Oracle, Bayer Life Sciences has a large local presence.
The Reading office space market combines business park destinations and central spaces. If you’re looking to expand your business, read on to find out why the town is a hotspot for new office locations.
Why businesses of all sizes are choosing Reading to establish a presence
Reading’s proximity to London makes it an attractive business prospect. Offices to rent in Reading are cheaper than in the capital. With a 25-minute travel time to Paddington Station, it’s a short journey for client meetings in the city centre.
Aside from its location, the town also commands a thriving economy.
Reading’s talent pool is productive and well-educated. The University of Reading drives talent growth, contributing £1 billion a year to the UK economy.
A major international ranking placed Reading 13th among non-capital cities around the world. This small Berkshire town rates alongside places like San Francisco, Dusseldorf, and Montreal.
If you want to capture this growth, our office spaces to rent in Reading are suitable for new and established businesses. We offer serviced offices that are customisable to suit your requirements. Prices start from as little as £119 per person per month.
And if you’re a startup, flexible contracts are available to ensure you only pay for the space you use.
9 reasons to rent an office space in Reading
As a growing economy with strong multinational connections, Reading is a fantastic pick for your new office location. Let’s look at nine reasons why you should consider serviced office space in Reading:
1. Proximity to London
As mentioned, the town enjoys a convenient proximity to London. Alongside access to the economic hub of the UK capital, it also means Heathrow Airport is reachable in less than 45 minutes by car. This makes Reading a natural choice for those looking to grow into international markets.
Reading is one of the only towns in the region to receive more commuters travelling in than out in the morning. It’s a desirable destination with the added benefit of proximity to the capital.
When you work here, you’ll be close to the capital without the costs associated with renting space in London. Reading offers fantastic South England connectivity and a thriving town centre.
2. Dynamic business environment
The local business community focuses on inward investment and has a growth mindset. The Chamber of Commerce supports SMEs and startups in their early stages.
Thanks to the presence of Microsoft, Nvidia, and other tech giants, there are plenty of growth accelerators in Reading. In 2023, Microsoft committed to investing $3.2 billion in the training and development of UK staff.
Established businesses will enjoy the infrastructure in place to support growth. Reading retains larger businesses in the area long term thanks to its dynamic environment.
3. Access to skilled workforce
If you rent an office in Reading, you’ll gain access to the local talent pool. The town’s workforce ranks within the top five in the UK for qualification levels.
Good economic growth and the prestigious businesses in the area attract the best job candidates to the region. The University of Reading is a well-regarded research university with a global presence. International campuses connect the town to overseas.
This provides local businesses with the next generation of entrepreneurs.
4. Dynamic and balanced economy
The Thames Valley area has a robust tech sector, but Reading offers plenty of business diversity. Boasting a stable economy with upward-trending growth, the town is seeing an increase in startups and SMEs.
Outside of tech, Reading is a hub for the construction industry. Around the River Thames region, construction workers make up almost 7% of the workforce. Many of the businesses in this sector are micro-enterprises.
The tech industry boosts the growth of supporting sectors. Reading has a healthy mix of management and consulting professional services in the area.
5. Infrastructure and transport links
Reading is a transport hub. Thanks to its location near Heathrow Airport, the town has major links both globally and to the rest of the UK.
Reading Station is an important link in the national rail network, arguably one of the busiest in the country. There are lines to both Paddington and Waterloo stations in London.
If you travel by car, road links include the major M4 motorway, and thus, access to the M4 corridor. The M4 corridor is made up of an area that runs from London to South Wales, linking all of the cities along the M4.
The town is also working on modernising its cycle paths and walking routes. This connected infrastructure ensures you’ll be easy to reach from London and further afield.
6. Business resources
If you’re thinking of opening a serviced office in Reading, Berkshire provides many business resources. The local Berkshire Growth Hub helps with starting, running, and expanding your operations.
The borough council enjoys funding opportunities thanks to its proximity to London. A funding escalator supports companies looking to provide local employment opportunities. It’s worked with 100 enterprises already to create over 1,400 jobs.
Entrepreneurs can also connect with the Henley Business School, which recently ranked seventh in the UK for its MBA programmes.
7. Technology hub
Of course, Reading is a long-established tech hub. The Berkshire region employs twice the national average of digital technology specialists. It’s home to the highest concentration of developers and programmers in the UK.
Corporations that make use of Reading office space help strengthen the technology. For example, Microsoft, Oracle, and Cisco all have UK headquarters in the region.
As home to nearly 8,000 tech companies, Reading is a digital powerhouse. Tech startups enjoy a work environment that helps them to succeed, with many reporting high growth.
8. International opportunities
Reading’s balanced economy and transport links provide international opportunities for companies. Thanks to its good reputation, many global corporations have headquarters in the heart of Reading’s business district.
Looking at the life sciences sector, Reading is home to global market leaders and strong new startups. Almost half of all new pharmaceutical presences in the area originate from the US.
With Heathrow on the town’s doorstep, meetings with international clients are hassle-free.
9. Entrepreneurship initiatives
Reading’s economy is strongly supported by its entrepreneurs and is recognised as one of the UK’s top entrepreneurial hotspots.
Entrepreneurs have access to networking opportunities through flexible office space in Reading’s business district. The local business network holds regular meetings around intelligence sharing and training.
Henley Business School provides current students with an Entrepreneurship Hub. This initiative helps like-minded entrepreneurs find like-minded collaborators to develop their business ideas.
Our serviced offices in Reading, Berkshire
Reading is a strategic location for opening a new office. With its booming tech sphere, strong business support and proximity to London, the town’s economy is thriving. Let’s look at our private offices in Reading to find the right space for your business. With options in the town centre and beyond, these centres provide customisable office space at affordable rates.
9 Greyfriars Road
Work in an eco-friendly workspace at our 9 Greyfriars Road centre. With an outstanding BREEAM rating, office suites here are light and airy due to the glass-fronted exterior.
These offices are ideal for companies with connections to London, as Reading Station is a few minutes away by foot. The centre is in one of the town’s business districts, with several offices nearby for networking purposes.
This makes 9 Greyfriars Road a strategic choice for SMEs looking to expand.
Highlights include:
● On-site parking
● Collaborative break-out areas
● Environmentally-friendly design
Information about 9 Greyfriars Road
● Location: 9 Greyfriars Road, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 1NU
● Starting cost: Private offices from £185 per person per month
● Opening hours: 24/7 for Private Office and Dedicated Desk members, reception hours for other members
● Nearby transport links: Greyfriars Road Bus Stop, (a one-minute walk away), South West interchange Bus Stop (a two-minute walk away), and Reading Station (a five-minute walk away)
400 Thames Valley Park Drive
Enjoy the benefits of a business park location at 400 Thames Valley Park Drive. This centre is on the same grounds as Oracle’s UK headquarters, with several other prominent tech companies in the park.
Commute to work with the free shuttle service to the town centre. The M4 is nearby for longer journeys.
400 Thames Valley Park Drive is an ideal pick for tech startups looking to form connections. Take advantage of our high-speed internet and flexible spaces to get to work right away.
The centre offers a sandwich service and an on-site coffee bar for informal meetings.
Highlights include:
● Vending machines
● Business lounges
● Videoconferencing studio
Information about 400 Thames Valley Park Drive
● Location: 400 Thames Valley Park Drive, Reading, Berkshire, RG6 1PT
● Starting cost: Private offices from £119 per person per month
● Opening hours: 24/7 for Private Office and Dedicated Desk members, reception hours for other members
● Nearby transport links: Oracle Parkway Bus Stop (a four-minute walk away) and Shepherds House Lane Bus Stop (a seven-minute walk away)
Winnersh Triangle
Choose a flexible workspace at Winnersh Triangle and join a thriving business community. This centre is in Wokingham, an affluent town close to Reading with a booming software industry.
The local area has evolved from brick-making to energy innovation and advanced tech. At Winnersh Triangle, your business will have the opportunity to network with industry leaders Hewlett Packard and Collins Aerospace.
The centre has a futuristic glass design and spectacular landscaping. Informal meetings can take place in the break-out areas.
An ideal pick for a business looking to expand, this centre offers flexible office space that grows with you.
Highlights include:
● Business park location
● Bicycle storage
● Showers
Information about Winnersh Triangle
● Location: Wharfedale Road, Wokingham, Berkshire, RG41 5TP
● Starting cost: Private offices from £149 per person per month
● Opening hours: 24/7 for Private Office and Dedicated Desk members, reception hours for other members
● Nearby transport links: Winnersh Triangle Railway Station (a nine-minute walk away) and Cavendish Gardens Bus Stop (a 12-minute walk away)
Forbury Square
Find office space to rent in Reading’s dynamic business district at our Forbury Square centre. At a few minutes walk from Reading Crown Court, this centre is well-positioned for local investment and legal firms.
The centre itself is home to prominent LLPs and consultancy firms.
Forbury Square enjoys floor-to-ceiling windows with the option to book private meeting rooms. Spend lunch in the award-winning Forbury Gardens, or walk to the high street after hours.
The centre’s business lounge is suitable for visiting clients, or you can book the hot desks on an as-needed basis.
Highlights include:
● Vending machines
● Collaborative break-out areas
● Showers available
Information about Forbury Square
● Location: Forbury Square, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 3EU
● Starting cost: Private offices from £185 per person per month
● Opening hours: 24/7 for Private Office and Dedicated Desk members, reception hours for other members
● Nearby transport links: Kings Road Bus Stop (a two-minute walk away), Reading Train Station (a seven-minute walk away), and Reading Blagrave St Bus Stop (a nine-minute walk away)
Green Park
Choose a sustainable office with business-class facilities at our Green Park centre. This centre is one of the most sought-after offices in Reading thanks to its mix of local and international tenants.
The centre enjoys a glass-fronted exterior with landscaped grounds for lunchtime. Nearby Longwater business park is home to multinationals like Thales and Cisco.
There’s a sandwich service available onsite, with an outside seating area on the grounds. If you need an afternoon pick-me-up, the centre has plenty of vending machines.
Tech startups will benefit from Green Park’s proximity to NVIDIA and RootMetrics.
Highlights include:
● Prestigious business park location
● Bookable meeting rooms
● Business lounge
Information about Green Park
● Location: 200 Brook Drive, Reading, Berkshire, RG2 6UB
● Starting cost: Private offices from £149 per person per month
● Opening hours: 24/7 for Private Office and Dedicated Desk members, reception hours for other members
● Nearby transport links: 250 Brook Drive Bus Stop (a three-minute walk away) and Reading Green Park Train Station (an 18-minute walk away)
Arlington Business Park Theale
Place yourself in a popular business district with an office at Arlington Business Park Theale. This lakeside centre gives staff and clients impressive views over the stunning grounds.
Arlington Business Park Theale is a fantastic pick for up-and-coming construction businesses. There are several manufacturing corporations nearby, working across tech and traditional construction.
The centre enjoys private meeting rooms, and there’s an option for hot desking in the shared workspaces. If you’re looking to expand, our contracts are flexible to suit your needs.
You can even enjoy international connections here, with Heathrow Airport readily accessible via the nearby M4 motorway.
Highlights include:
● Business park location
● On-site parking
● Sandwich service
Information about Arlington Business Park Theale
● Location: Arlington Business Park, Reading, Berkshire, RG7 4SA
● Starting cost: Private offices from £185 per person per month
● Opening hours: 24/7 for Private Office and Dedicated Desk members, reception hours for other members
● Nearby transport links: Arlington Business Park Bus Stop (a four-minute walk away) and Theale Train Station (a 14-minute walk away)
Find office space in Reading with Regus
Now that you’re aware of the serviced offices for rent in Reading, let us help you pick which best suits your requirements. We offer custom offices in these locations, so you can create a space that’s been customised to meet the unique needs of your business.
Speak to our expert advisors today to discover the right workspace for you.
