The number of freelancers and self-employed workers in London is increasing daily. This means the traditional idea of office space is slowly disbanding and a new culture of flexible working space is evolving rapidly. Let’s face it, all you really need is your laptop, wifi, and copious amounts of caffeine. Here we look at the top 7 non-office spots in London to get your head down and graft.
1. The Nordic Bakery - http://nordicbakery.com/
This Scandinavian café, based in a few locations around central London, prides itself on being a place to snatch a quiet moment. With a beautifully designed interior full of navy blues and smooth wood you would be hard-pressed to find anywhere better to focus.
2. Look Mum No Hands - http://www.lookmumnohands.com/
Is it a bike shop? Is it a café? Who knows! Get your coffee, get your bike fixed, get your work done. This place does it all. Power sockets are littered around so you can settle for a good long while to get as much done as possible.
3. The Ace Hotel - https://www.acehotel.com/london
The lobby of this Hotel has been devised as a social hub for those wanting to work on laptops or hold meetings. Different zones separated to create the idea of ‘rooms’ mean that you can have some privacy in a larger space. But the main thing that makes this place ideal for working is the addition of a bar – for when the end of the day hits.
4. Printworks Kitchen - http://www.printworkskitchen.co.uk/
Located in Clerkenwell, the Printworks Kitchen is a converted printing house that serves food with a health kick. The light and airy interior makes it feel spacious and calm while plug sockets and free wifi bump it up to being great for laptop work. Editor's note: Sadly, Printworks Kitchen closed down in July 2017 and Clerkenwell lost a great coffee shop!
5. The Barbican Centre - https://www.barbican.org.uk/
The Barbican centre is huge and offers a multitude of different spaces in which to work. The wifi is fast and reliable and no-one is going to look at you weirdly if you stay there all day – you don’t even have to splash out on a coffee. You could even go the whole hog and actually work in the on-site library!
6. Google Campus - https://www.campus.co/london/en
Ever wanted to imagine you worked at Google? Well now you can! Sign up online for free to use the Google Campus London café as a refuge to work and network in. The atmosphere is complimented by events hosted every week to inspire budding entrepreneurs.
7. Timberyard Seven Dials - https://tyuk.com/
Often busy, with a hipster vibe to rival anywhere in East London, the Timberyard has finally given those based in central London a place to rest their weary Macbook. They are renowned for good coffee so you won’t be grimacing as you work, unlike some other coffee shops people like to work in *cough* Starbucks *cough*.
Want to be one of those people working in London? BrighterBox has new graduate vacancies on its site all the time. Search ‘BrighterBox jobs’.
