Finding office space in Clerkenwell

A guide for when searching for space in the West End

Clerkenwell is home to creative businesses, quaint market stalls, boutique retailers, cutting-edge restaurants and cosy gastro pubs. With so much on offer in the local area and great connectivity to the rest of Central London, it’s the place to be when it comes to renting an office space in London. Businesses in the area include fashion icon Kurt Geiger on Britton Street (which has a stunning office building that’s worth a peek if you’re in the area).

Architecture firms Zaha Hadid on Bowling Green Lane and Sergison Bates on Clerkenwell Close. As well as creative agencies like Twelve on Little Portland Street. There’s also a real community of startups in Clerkenwell, including Buzzfeed, Picfair and fintech startup Cleo. We’ve created this guide to finding office space in Clerkenwell to help you decide whether this area is a good fit for your next Central London HQ.

Why rent an office space in Clerkenwell?

Renting an office space in Clerkenwell could be a great strategic move for your business and overall team culture. The central location means that you'll have an easy commute into work and travel between meetings, with local business hubs such as Holborn and Farringdon within walking distance.

Clerkenwell is easily accessible by tube, train, bus and Thameslink - with the latter running as far as Brighton. The City of London is also less than 20 minutes away via tube from Farringdon, Angel and Chancery Lane stations. Which also offer easy access to other business hubs in London’s East End and West End.

Local Amenities in Clerkenwell

In terms of amenities in the local area, Clerkenwell is bustling with independents. This is especially true in Exmouth Market, which has an eclectic mix of international food stalls. The Ghanaian and Vegan Bao Bun stalls are a must-try! It’s also home to a series of pubs and chain restaurants including Grind, which is great for outdoor seating in the summer, and Pizza Pilgrim.

Leather Lane Market in Holborn is another local favourite. This historic market has been going for over 400 years. Once famous for its leather footwear and clothes traders, today it’s home to a wide selection of stalls offering food, boutique clothes and accessories. Leather Lane Market is a short ten-minute walk from Clerkenwell. On your way, you’ll pass other local amenities including Sainsbury’s, WHSmiths, banks, print and design studios, and the much-adored Hatton Garden.

If you’re looking for a spot for food or drinks with your team, there are plenty of options in Clerkenwell. The Sekforde on Sekforde Street is a long-standing favourite in the area and is great for hosting large groups. Likewise, the Wilmington on Rosebery Avenue is a 19th Century public house that’s just across the road from Exmouth Market. It also hosts regular comedy and live music events that you can enjoy with the rest of your team. Piano Works Farringdon is another great live music venue, with some of the greatest underground talents and music to suit every taste.

What to look for in a Clerkenwell office space

Clerkenwell is bursting with townhouses that have been converted into beautiful and modern office spaces. One of the beauties of renting an office in Clerkenwell is that there’s plenty of office types to choose from. This allows for the nature of your business to determine the type of office that you decide to rent. There are a number of offices for rent in the area, so it’s best to think about your budget. As well as the needs of your business and team (i.e. the number of desks, meeting rooms and other facilities).

Flexible Offices in Clerkenwell

Flexible office spaces are popular with growing businesses and startups, as they allow for change at short notice. You can easily scale the space up or down depending on the changing nature of your business. This is ideal for teams with dynamic work patterns where team members are not in the office throughout the week. The acceleration of flexible working trends has seen many companies switch to more flexible office spaces.

Private Serviced Offices in Clerkenwell

Opting for a private flexible office, over the previous co-working trend, allows you to be in control and aware of who is coming and going within your space. Serviced offices go one step further and allow your team to focus on your business and clients, whilst office providers manage the space around you. Some serviced offices in Clerkenwell also offer open-plan spaces, which promote an open team culture, and meeting rooms that can double up as private offices if necessary.

Other perks of private serviced offices in Clerkenwell and more generally include:

Cost - these office spaces are often flexible lets. This means that you can pay as you go for the services that your business needs.

Flexibility - allowing for growth at fairly short notice which is great for startups and other businesses in flux.

Adaptability - unlike a coworking or shared office, you can make the space your own. This is essential to cultivating a strong team culture as well as attracting clients and new talent.

Privacy - you’re able to ensure the wellbeing of your team and keep client information secure. This is also great for inviting clients and other guests in for meetings.

Save time - serviced office providers do the heavy lifting for you. That’s all of the work associated with maintaining an office (cleaning, security, concierge and WiFi) all taken care of. Maintenance costs are also conveniently included in your monthly plan.

There really is an office to suit every business model in Clerkenwell. From private office spaces to flexible workspaces, serviced offices and all of the above. Why not bring along a team member along when you're shopping around. They might just help you narrow down your search and find a space that’s a great fit for your business.

Renting an office space in Clerkenwell

Office rent prices in Clerkenwell vary depending on the size and features included. On average, you can expect to pay £340 to £750 monthly per desk for a private Clerkenwell office space. Be sure to ask what’s included in your monthly costs. This will allow you to make an accurate budget with no nasty surprises.

Clerkenwell is a thriving creative district with a great deal to offer and a little something for everyone. The accessibility to like-minded businesses in the local and surrounding areas, as well as a wide selection of delicious eateries and chilled after-work hotspots, makes Clerkenwell the perfect location to foster a strong work-life balance.

What’s more is that growing investment in the area since it’s addition to The Culture Mile, a new creative celebration of all that’s on offer near Farringdon and Moorgate, makes Clerkenwell an area to continue to watch. The initiative also poses opportunities for your business to network and enjoy even more of what London has to offer.