A Guide To Offices In Reading

Posted on: 12th December 2022

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Reading is a key commercial centre in Berkshire in the South of England. It is a town and borough situated just 40 miles west of London, and the largest town in the UK by population, with a population of 161,780.

Although Reading isn't a city, it was named one of the best places to start a business in the UK outside of London. It is home to many businesses, particularly those in the technology and insurance sectors. With plenty of transport links and options for flexible office spaces, Reading could be the ideal location for your business.

Reading has been dubbed the tech capital of the UK. A government report named the town among the fastest-growing economies in the UK by the end of 2023. Many leading corporations have chosen Reading as their base. These include tech titans Microsoft, Oracle and Vodafone. Three of the Big Four accounting firms have offices in Reading: Deloitte, PwC and EY. Tesco and McDonald's also have offices in the town.

The town continues to attract an influx of students attending the University of Reading, Henley Business School, and other respected educational institutions. It has a high rate of university graduate retention, meaning there is never a shortage when it comes to recruiting skilled and educated talent.

In this guide, you'll discover why Reading is an increasingly popular location to have an office in the United Kingdom and explore the commercial spaces Regus offers within the borough.

The Top Business Areas in Reading

There are a lot of different areas to consider when choosing where to set up your business in Reading. Are you drawn to the hustle and bustle of the town centre? Or do you like the idea of working out of town but still within the borough?

Depending on your company's needs and preferences, the main commercial areas within Reading could be an excellent base for your business.

Town centre

The town centre is an ideal Reading office location for its convenient amenities and great transport links. Reading railway station, one of the busiest in the UK, is situated here.

Many technology and finance companies are based in the town centre. If you enjoy going out for after-work drinks, shopping at The Oracle, and other entertainment venues, the city centre has it all. Check out our Reading office spaces at Greyfriars Road and Forbury Square if you want to reap the benefits of working in the heart of Reading.

Out of town

If you like the idea of being based in a business park, the out-of-town areas of Reading would be a great fit for your business. You'll find many pharmaceutical and technology companies here. Business parks offer more space and excellent connections to major roads, making commuting by car a breeze. We have Reading office spaces in the Arlington Business Park, Winnersh Triangle, Thames Valley Park, and Green Park complexes.

Business Travel in Reading

Thousands of business travellers across different industries travel to Reading each year for meetings, conferences, and job opportunities. Fortunately, there are plenty of transport options to access the town with ease.

There is a bus service that takes passengers in and around Reading and all across the Thames Valley region.

Reading railway station is one of the busiest train stations in the UK, with 17 million passengers passing through it each year. Situated just 40 miles from London, it's easy to travel between Reading and London by train. The journey to London Paddington from Reading railway station usually takes around 44 minutes. However, there is a faster rail option which takes you to the capital city in just 23 minutes.

Business travellers who need to reach UK cities that are further afield or plan to take international trips can conveniently get to a few airports from Reading. The closest airport is London Heathrow Airport which is 22.4 miles away from the town. Other nearby airports include London Luton Airport, London Gatwick Airport, London City Airport, and London Stanstead Airport. All of these international travel hubs can be easily reached.

Reading's Entertainment

Reading has an exciting music scene, with several live music venues in the town. In recent years, the town has made waves on the independent music scene. It's also home to the annual Reading Festival, one of the largest music festivals in the UK, taking place in Richfield Avenue, RG1.

For retail therapy, The Oracle shopping centre is conveniently located in the heart of Reading. This large retail complex is home to more than 80 stores.

The town has an impressive offering of pubs, bars and dining spots, including The Nag's Head pub, which has won the Central Southern England Pub of the Year award multiple times.

If you're a history enthusiast, you may be interested in seeing the ruins at Reading Abbey, which has a fascinating history dating back 900 years.

How much is it to rent office space in Reading?

You can find private offices in Reading for as little as £119 per person per month. Office rental prices vary from location to location. As with most major commercial centres, renting office space in the town centre is more expensive than renting on the outskirts of town. 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 Reading?

Are you looking for a private office for your team? Or are you interested in exploring hot desk options in a coworking environment? Whatever set-up suits your business best, you'll find offices to rent in Reading that fit the bill.

When deciding on the right office space for your business in Reading, there are a few key aspects to consider.

Location and amenities

The functions and facilities of the workspace are likely the priority for your business, but it's important that you choose a location that ticks all the boxes in terms of accessibility and local amenities. Do you want to be in the midst of the town centre for easy access to the shops around Broad Street? Or does a business park with plenty of parking appeal to you and your team?

Transport connections

When choosing an office space in Reading, make sure your team can commute to the office easily. If your associates take regular business trips to London or other UK cities, consider offices near Reading railway station. If your team members take regular business trips, then consider office space to rent in Reading in areas that have good connections to the London airports.

Opportunities to expand

You might want to start by renting hot desks or a smaller office space with the option to scale up when your business needs more space. Our Regus serviced offices in Reading have rental options for businesses of all sizes.

Interesting Facts About Reading

Why you should rent an office in Reading

Reading expects to see continued growth in the coming years, particularly as a tech hub. Research conducted by Savills concluded that Reading is a popular choice for businesses that want to be near London but prefer a location with better value for money.

Whether you're looking for a private office or a coworking set-up, we'll work with you to find your ideal serviced offices in Reading from our portfolio.

 

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