London’s Commercial Property Market 2014: The Year in Review

As 2014 draws to an end, we can safely say that the London commercial property market has laid out the foundations for continued growth. Take a look at the latest developments that have taken place in the commercial property market across the UK’s capital city. But first, let’s get started with a synopsis of the year so far.

London’s commercial property market: the year in review


Overall, this year has been marked by steady growth and increasing optimism among both investors and occupiers. According to research carried out by M&G Real Estate, this upward trend can be attributed to two main factors. Firstly, the labour market has become stronger over the past 12 months. In November 2014, the unemployment rate reached a five-year low of 7.1 per cent. This fact has had a positive effect on the property market, especially in the retail sub-sector.

Secondly, there is the widespread belief that economic risks have decreased substantially in many Eurozone countries. As a result, commercial property rents have stabilised, and in some areas of London commercial rental values have even begun to grow. From an occupier perspective, changes in risk perception have also meant that firms in the financial, banking, insurance, and ICT sectors are now ready to extend their leases or to move on to larger premises.

Towards the end of 2013, market analysts predicted that rental growth values across all commercial sub-sectors would average 2.1 per cent. The predicted growth rates have been largely surpassed in the office property market, especially in areas like Midtown, where office rents have increased by nearly 6 per cent. In addition, the London office market has also seen the revival of the so-called fringe locations, where the demand for refurbished office floorspace has been steadily increasing. Continue reading “London’s Commercial Property Market 2014: The Year in Review”

Focus on Business in Shoreditch

Focus on Business in Shoreditch, London, UKLocated in London’s East End, Shoreditch is found within the borders of the London Borough of Hackney. Sitting in the heard of Central London’s modern core, the area is synonymous with the capital’s thriving technology industry. Many of the UK’s more innovative start-up technology companies are based in Shoreditch, alongside the world’s leading technology and financial companies. The area is a major player in the UK’s £72 billion technology sector.

Shoreditch’s Evolution

The early history of Shoredtich was centred on theatre. The area was home to England’s first playhouses. The Theatre was built in 1576 and was the stage for some of William Shakespeare’s plays. Another early theatre, Curtain Theatre, also hosted Shakespeare’s work steps from The Theatre. In 1599, Shakespeare’s Company relocated The Theatre to Southwark and built The Globe. Silk weavers and traders moved into the area during the 17th century and established the area as a textile centre. By the 19th century, Shoredtich also had a thriving furniture industry.

During the late 19th century, industrial Shoreditch experienced a decline in its traditional textile and furniture industries. Once part of Middlesex, Shoreditch became part of the newly established County of London in 1889. In 1899, the Metropolitan Borough of Shoreditch was created and included the districts of Shoreditch, Hoxton and Haggerston. Bombings during the Second World War destroyed much of the area’s housing stock, further contributing to Shoreditch’s economic decline. Much of the area was the focus of heavy redevelopment following the war. In 1965, Shoreditch was absorbed by the London Borough of Hackney.

Since the mid-1990s, Shoreditch has been an increasingly popular and fashionable area of London along with nearby Hoxton. Old Street and Curtain Road are known for their pubs and clubs, as well as a number of theatre and music venues that rival the West End. Shoreditch also has a large number of bars, restaurants and art galleries. Once a working class district, the area has been the subject of gentrification over the past twenty years. This has seen a steady increase in land and property values. Many former industrial buildings have been converted into flats and commercial spaces, particularly offices. The new Hackney Community College campus in Shoreditch is also aiding in the area’s transformation. Continue reading “Focus on Business in Shoreditch”

Last Minute Office Christmas Party Ideas in London

Last Minute Office Christmas Party Ideas in LondonWith barely a month left until Christmas day many of us are busy making last-minute preparations at home and in the office. Have you already found the ideal venue for your office Christmas party? If you haven’t, there’s still some time left to find and book a suitable venue. Take a look at our list of last-minute office Christmas party ideas and venues in London that are still taking bookings.

Christmas at the museum

If you want to celebrate your corporate Christmas party somewhere different this year, why not consider booking one of the impressive venues for hire at the Natural History Museum? The museum has a very convenient location in the heart of London and is just as stunning on the inside as it is on the outside. There are three spaces suitable for office Christmas parties at the museum. The first is Hintze Hall, a splendid space featuring impressive architecture that can accommodate up to 700 guests for dinners and 1,200 people for receptions. Equally stunning is the Earth Hall, a unique tribute to our planet and our universe and a definitely a different Christmas party venue. Maximum capacity is 200 guests for dinners and 500 for receptions. If you require a smaller venue and are only planning a canape and drinks reception, check out the Darwin Centre, a contemporary space which includes use of an outdoor courtyard.

For details about these venues you can call the museum on 020 7942 5434 or get in touch via Twitter on @NHMevents.

An all-in-one Christmas venue

Do you want to treat your staff to an activity-based office Christmas party? Then take a look at the All Star Lanes, which have four centrally located branches so that you can choose the one that is more convenient for you. In addition to a private bowling room, a booking with All Star Lanes gives you access to your very own staffed cocktail bar, a karaoke room, and even a Wii console. Canapes and snacks can also be arranged, so you really get everything you need for a fun and entertaining Christmas party by booking with All Star Lanes. These venues can accommodate parties of up to 80 people (130 at the Brick Lane penthouse). Continue reading “Last Minute Office Christmas Party Ideas in London”

How Much Tea do the British Really Drink Infographic

How Much Tea do the British Really Drink Infoagraphic by LondonOfficeSpace.com

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How Much Tea do the British Really Drink?

Although the consumption of coffee has been steadily growing over the past few decades, tea is still the British drink par excellence. The UK Tea and Infusion Association estimates that overall, Britons drink more than 165 million cups of tea every year. Approximately 66 per cent of UK citizens are tea drinkers, but despite that, we are not the world’s number one tea drinking nation, as that honour goes to Turkey.

Perhaps because of the unpredictable and generally wet and cool British weather, tea has become our go-to drink rain or shine. In fact, approximately 40 per cent of all daily fluid intake comes from tea -and who could blame us?

As for our tea drinking preferences, nowadays tea bags have replaced lose leaf tea, and 96 per cent of all cuppas brewed in the UK every day are made using this convenient method. Milk is pretty much added to our tea by default, as it is believed that 98 per cent of Britons drink their tea with milk, whereas only 30 per cent add sugar to their cuppas.

Continue reading “How Much Tea do the British Really Drink?”

London Office Space Website Relaunch

London Office Space logo

We are very excited to announce that today the LondonOfficeSpace.com website relaunched with an entirely new look and feel.

The new LondonOfficeSpace.com includes office space organised around Tube Stations, a vital feature for many users who intend to take advantage of the city’s public transportation system.

Marketing Manager, Kate Aird, said, “London remains one of the most popular cities in the world for companies of all sizes and types, and the LondonOfficeSpace.com site fills a vital role in helping people find the right space to establish a new business or grow an existing one.

Continue reading “London Office Space Website Relaunch”

Focus on Business in Canary Wharf

Focus on Business in Canary Wharf from LondonOfficeSpace.comKnown worldwide for the important role it plays in London’s Central Business District, Canary Wharf is one of the UK’s financial hubs. Although it has a reputation for being home to stockbrokers, insurance firms, and other financial magnates, you will also find an array of retail giants and leisure firms there.

The Main Types of Businesses in Canary Wharf

From accountants and stockbrokers through to architects and designers, Canary Wharf certainly isn’t short on professional talent. It forms a significant part of London’s service industry, with investment firms appearing to reign supreme amongst all the others. With between 25,000 to 75,000 financial jobs per square mile in the area, it’s clear that Canary Wharf’s monetary reputation is accurate and well deserved.

In addition to investment firms, a significant proportion of the world’s industrial insurance is brokered in Canary Wharf. Alongside the City of London, this area accounts for 183,000 members of staff in the financial sector. As London is seen as a key investment centre worldwide, it attracts some of the globe’s greatest banking talents. With plans for 3,000 new homes in Canary Wharf and Tower Hamlets, it seems as though business is expected to grow.

As anybody with a keen interest in the area may already know, Canary Wharf was born after the closing of the India trading docks in the 1980s. While it has seen significant progress in terms of jobs and investment opportunities, the government is always looking for ways to enhance this. Another plan in the works is a high-speed rail link called the Crossrail, which is due for completion in 2018. This, plus an increasing number of jobs in the area, means that property development is also set to flourish. Continue reading “Focus on Business in Canary Wharf”

Company Christmas Parties: How To Make Sure Your Office Christmas Party is Tax Deductible

Company Christmas Parties: How To Make Sure Your Office Christmas Party is Tax Deductible from LondonOfficeSpace.comLike most employers, you should have by now reached the time of year where you start thinking about your Christmas party. Whether you’re hosting at your premises, looking at swanky hotels, or pouring through novel ideas, there are ways to keep your workforce entertained while ensuring it’s tax deductible.

There is, however, a catch. Your tax deductible Christmas expenses have a limit of £150 per person in attendance. A simple understanding of how to keep your Christmas party tax deductible can avoid nasty VAT surprises, while allowing you to throw the perfect bash.

Understanding the Rules Surrounding Tax Deductible Christmas Parties

First, that £150 per head doesn’t just apply to your employees. It’s applicable to whoever is in attendance, which means it’s tax deductible for your spouse, their spouses, and whoever else they bring along. Now here’s the tricky part; if you go even one penny over that £150, the whole event is subject to the usual VAT rules.

To meet these terms, bookings must be made in the business’ name. So when you call a hotel or restaurant to make a booking, book it under the name of your business and not the director or events planner. It’s also worth noting that this £150 per head expense is per-annum. So if you hold more than one event in a year, the aggregate cost must not exceed £150. In order for it to be classed as a party that’s tax deductible, it must be open to all of your employees. If your employees are at different locations – because you have a lot of branches – you’re allowed to hold parties at all of these locations. Continue reading “Company Christmas Parties: How To Make Sure Your Office Christmas Party is Tax Deductible”