London Spotlight – Connectivity and community prove key for Paddington’s flexible workspace offer

With Heathrow Airport a mere 25 minutes away, Crossrail on the doorstep, and excellent links to London’s West End, Paddington is a magnet for businesses seeking flexible space in one of the best-connected locations in the city.

Paddington - distinguished by its Georgian townhouses, cosy pubs, and parks - is fast emerging as one of the most exciting destinations for brands of all shapes and sizes. Along the banks of the city’s Grand Union Canal, which winds its way through the area, is a vibrant mix of lively restaurants and peaceful oases. Lining the waterway is London’s first-ever float-in cinema and a floating “pocket” park with walkways through wildflowers. Situated among this bustling community is a growing number of brands – including Microsoft and Vodafone, which in turn have attracted new businesses to the area. Paddington, as a result, has established itself as a key flexible office location offering a range of solutions to suit a variety of business types. 

There is Paddington Works, a boutique co-working space designed around wellbeing, which is home to some of the UK’s leading biotech and MedTech companies. While Storey provides themed meeting rooms and a 220 person-event space for its burgeoning membership of flexible work co-workers. WeWork’s two buildings in Paddington provide outdoor spaces, dog-friendly areas and private rooms for working mothers. Nearby is The Office Group’s flexible workspace that can be accessed directly from Paddington rail station.

Prices are competitive. Occupiers will find more for their money in the area, compared to popular locations such as the West End. Private office spaces in Paddington can be secured for an average price of £800 per month – whereas locations in the areas near Oxford Street & Mayfair are around £900 to £1000 per desk.

Paddington’s reputation will continue to grow. As one of the nine major new stations on the Elizabeth line, it will be the first central station where passengers travelling from Reading and Heathrow will arrive. Combined with the current appetite for desks in the city’s fringe locations, Paddington has everything it needs to be one of the most attractive workspace hubs of the future.