As Scotland’s capital city, Edinburgh is a major city in the United Kingdom for business. It's the second most populous city in Scotland and is celebrated as one of the UK's major tourism and cultural hotspots. But did you know Edinburgh is regarded as one of the UK's leading financial centres outside of London? The financial services industry employs around 100,000 people in Edinburgh. That’s almost one-fifth of the city’s population.

There’s never been a better time to consider renting offices in Edinburgh. Economic growth is set to more than double in the city throughout 2022. This year, it has been predicted that 8500 new jobs will be available in Edinburgh, of which about a quarter will be office-based.

Many leading international businesses have chosen Edinburgh as their base. In recent years, it has proven popular with tech start-ups and international corporations looking to set up a head office in Europe. Skyscanner, the leading flight comparison search engine and travel agency, was founded in the city. Aegon UK, the financial services and insurance company is also based in Edinburgh. Savills estate agents have had a strong presence in the Scottish capital since 1981.

The start-up scene has made waves in Edinburgh recently. The City of Edinburgh Council offers support for start-ups operating within the city. Start-up incubator programmes have also been established, such as TechCube. The Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce is a great source of information and support for all types of businesses.

In this guide, you'll find out more about why Edinburgh is a key location to have an office and explore the workspaces Regus offers within the city.

The Top Business Areas in Edinburgh

Spanning 264km2, there are many different areas to consider when choosing where to set up your business in the Scottish capital.

City Centre

The city centre is a top pick for many businesses due to its convenience, beauty, and amenities. The city centre is home to the financial hub of Scotland. It's ideal for commuting by public transport. If you opt for a city centre office, you'll be spoilt for choice when it comes to entertainment, dining and leisure options.

Edinburgh city centre is defined by two distinct areas: the Old Town and New Town. Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile can be found in the Old Town. The New Town is equally rich in history and culture, being over 200 years old. The New Town was intended to be residential, but it is a bustling commercial hub dominated by banks, offices and retail spaces.

Located in the heart of the city centre, Regus George Street, Princes Street, Saint Andrew Square, and Lochrin Square offices are within quick access to everything you might need - making them perfect for travel links, in-city meetings and nearby retail options.

 Exchange

Exchange is becoming an increasingly popular office location. You can reach the city centre from Exchange in just 15 minutes on foot. It’s a favourite among professional service companies, and several leisure facilities are also situated here.

Leith

Leith is a lively port area located in the north of the city. In 2021, it ranked as one of the top five neighbourhoods to live in the world. Leith is the home to a number of creative businesses and cultural art studios. It's also a popular spot for dining and drinking.

West Edinburgh

If you're looking for more space and value for money, West Edinburgh is a great place to be based. This area offers business park-style facilities on the outskirts of the city. Conveniently located, West Edinburgh is ideal for commuting by car or bus. In West Edinburgh, you can find our South Gyle office space located in one of Edinburgh’s leading business parks.

Business Travel in Edinburgh

Thousands of business travellers visit Edinburgh each year, and there are plenty of transport options that make the journey a breeze.

The city has an international airport, Edinburgh Airport, located in the Ingliston area in the west of Edinburgh. It's the busiest airport in Scotland which schedules flights to over 150 destinations worldwide. Edinburgh Airport reported that 14.7 million people travelled through the airport in 2019 alone. It takes approximately 30 minutes to get to the city centre from the airport by public transport or car/taxi.

Edinburgh is also a popular hub for train travel. Edinburgh Waverley station is conveniently located in Central Edinburgh. It's the second busiest railway station in Scotland, after Glasgow Central Station. The Scottish capital is well-connected to England, and King’s Cross can be reached by train in just 4 hours from Edinburgh Waverley station.

Edinburgh's Entertainment

Aside from being a great place to base your business, Edinburgh is a world-renowned culture and arts hub. This makes it an attractive spot for entertaining clients, hosting team-building events, and networking.

It is the home of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the largest arts festival in the world. This annual event attracts comedy and performing arts talent from all over the world.

The city has a diverse culinary scene, with a wide variety of options for cheap eats to fine dining, including three Michelin-star restaurants. If you want to try traditional Scottish dishes like haggis or indulge in international cuisine, you'll find it all in and around the city centre. If you’re looking for an upscale dining experience, Edinburgh’s West End offers plenty of options. For more quaint and cosy restaurants and pubs, head to the picturesque and historical shores of Leith.

How much is it to rent office space in Edinburgh?

You can find office space to rent in Edinburgh for as little as £129 per person per month. Rental prices for Edinburgh office space vary from location to location. As with most major cities, renting office space in the city centre is more expensive than renting on the outskirts of Edinburgh. The size of the office and the amenities available also help to determine the rent price. There are many options available in our Regus office spaces to suit the needs and budgets of every type of business.

How to find an office space in Edinburgh?

Whether you are looking for a private office or are interested in opting for hot desks in a coworking space, there are great options for every type of business in Edinburgh.

When deciding on the right Edinburgh office for your business, there are a few aspects to consider.

Location

Firstly, you should consider the best area for your office in the city. There are a diverse range of options when it comes to location. We currently have six office spaces in Edinburgh, located in different parts of the city. These include offices at Redheughs Rigg, Lochrin Square, Fort Kinnaird, George Street, Princes Street, and Saint Andrew Square.

Browse our Edinburgh locations here.

Transport links

When you are looking for offices to rent in Edinburgh, make sure that your staff can commute to the office easily. If your associates take regular business trips to London or other UK cities, consider offices near Edinburgh Waverley station. If your team members travel further afield on international business trips, look for office spaces in areas with good connections to Edinburgh Airport.

Local Amenities

The functions and facilities of your Edinburgh office space are important, but the local amenities offering is a key thing to consider for many businesses. Do you want to be a stone's throw away from the city's best restaurants and nightlife for after-work drinks and networking? Or would you prefer to be out of the city with more space and easier commuting by car?

Opportunities to expand

We have private offices to suit businesses of any size. You may want to start with a smaller offer space with the option to scale up when your business needs more space.

Interesting Facts About Edinburgh

You have almost certainly heard about Edinburgh, but did you know these interesting facts?

• Edinburgh was named the best city in the UK (outside London) to launch a business in 2022
• Edinburgh ranked 17th in the March 2020 Global Financial Centres Index
• The financial services sector employs around 100,000 people in Edinburgh
• Business tourism brings an estimated £300m to Edinburgh per annum

Why you should rent an office in Edinburgh

The Scottish capital has earned its reputation as a top business city. It's a leading cultural hotspot that attracts masses of professionals, students, and tourists each year. As the home to countless corporations and start-ups, the city expects a lot of growth in the coming years as more and more businesses flock to its appealing commercial spots. The city is also home to the prestigious Russell Group university, the University of Edinburgh. This, among other education institutes and colleges, attracts young talent to Edinburgh.

Whether you're looking for a private office or a hot desk in a coworking environment, we'll work with you to find your ideal office space from our Edinburgh portfolio.