Soho Area Guide

Soho Square, LondonSoho is a vibrant district located in the centre of the West End of London, in the borough of Westminster. Historically an entertainment district, it has undergone extensive modernisation in the past twenty years – particularly the erection of office space and upmarket restaurants - which has solidified its spot as a very desirable part of London for businesses who want to take advantage of its enviable location and superb transport links.

Soho has several major underground stations within walking distance, all of which are linked to multiple lines. This gives Soho an advantage, as it is very close to the City of London but remains in the City of Westminster, meaning office space doesn’t command the very high prices of innermost London.

Therefore the area is well suited to start-ups who need fully featured office space surrounded by entertainment and bolstered by strong transport links. Close proximity to the theatre districts of London and historic links to the British film industry means the area has amassed a great deal of media companies and is now extremely popular with businesses who work in the film, TV and publishing industries.

The area is still in the grip of modernisation and the borough has upgrades planned, making now a great time to buy office space in and around Soho.

Why do business in Soho?

• Diverse media hub
  Media companies very quickly feel at home in Soho. Not only is it near the heart of London’s theatre district, it also houses the majority of London’s independent film and post-production industry. In recent years the make-up of media businesses within Soho has greatly diversified, including fashion, publishing and television; so whatever your industry you will fit in well.
   
• High-tech
  The area boasts ‘Sohonet’ – a rooftop and underground fibre optic connection which links Soho with the UK’s major film studios and those abroad. It is very much a high-tech, forward-thinking hub.
   
• Entertainment and culture
  Any business requiring varied entertainment for their staff and clients will find Soho particularly welcoming. Firms with considerable workforces will appreciate the cultural diversity – ranging from low key eateries and local pubs to famous restaurants, trendy cocktail bars and state-of-the-art nightclubs.
   
• Future developments
  There are plans afoot for the City of Westminster to deploy high-bandwidth Wi-Fi networks to further increase the development of the district’s media industry. Similarly the “I Love Soho” campaign is active and financially secure, aiming to drive social and cultural development in the area.
   

What businesses does Soho suit?

• Film and post-production
  Soho has long been the home of London’s independent film and post-production industry. It is an ideal location for creative 21st Century start-ups looking to make their mark.
   
• New media
  The recent influx of other new media industries within Soho has not only diversified the make-up of the region, it has also fostered innovation and continues to drive industries forward into the digital age.
   
• International
  As a district full of culture and an international flavour, Soho makes an ideal location for businesses boasting a global workforce.
   

Transport

Soho is in close proximity to several underground stations – Oxford Circus, Piccadilly Circus, Tottenham Court Road, Leicester Square and Covent Garden – all of which are linked to multiple lines, meaning most of London’s major transport hubs and famous landmarks are easily accessible.

Liverpool Street: 13 minutes
Waterloo: 8 minutes
Knightsbridge: 7 minutes

The area is also within walking distance of many major London thoroughfares, such as Leicester Square and Tottenham Court Road and also sits on the bus routes, so mobility is not limited to the underground network.

Religious Facilities

Soho is known for its multiculturalism and has extensive religious facilities available for all faiths:

St Anne’s Church (Dean Street)
St Patrick’s Church (Soho Square)
City Gates Church (Greens Court)
Hare Krishna Temple (nr. Soho Square)
Mosque (Berwick Street)

Eating

Soho’s eateries provide for all dining needs, so you’ll be able to find cheap and cheerful lunches, reasonable dinners and impressive fine dining in the same area. Whatever you want to sample, you’ll find a place that provides it. Soho’s multiculturalism ensures a variety of world cuisines are permanently available, much of which is inexpensive and great for a quick lunch. The main high street lunch chains – such as Pret A Manger – have a presence in Soho. There are also upmarket but reasonable restaurants that offer unique twists on everyday food, such as Aperitivo, which serves up Italian tapas.

If you’re looking for dining for special occasions, for a superb Chinese meal at a reasonable price, check out Ping Pong (45 Great Marlborough Street, W1F 7JL) or for the area’s best dim sum, Yauatcha (15-17 Broadwick Street, W1F 0DL). For a treat, try Marco Pierre White’s L’Escargot (48 Greek Street, W1D 4EF), which has a Michelin Star.

Going Out

When it comes to pubs, Soho houses a blend of traditional British offerings along with worldly themed alternatives, so there will be something new to try every day. For a pub steeped in history (as it retains much of its Victorian styling), try the Argyll Arms (18 Argyll Street, W1F 7TP). The selection of bars is equally diverse and includes bars with certain specialities, such as champagne (Amuse Bouche, 21-22 Poland Street, W1F 8QG).

You might assume that Soho’s nightlife must be formidable to match its reputation, and this is certainly the case. Soho nightclubs are near the upper end of the price scale – and often have facilities to match – so they are best enjoyed as part of a large group on a special occasion. Sin (144 Charing Cross Road, WC2H 0LB) is so much more than a nightclub, and includes expansive ballroom, VIP lounge, bedroom and basement bar, which host a variety of themed nights every week. For a surreal and very different nightclub experience, try African-themed Umbaba (15-21 Ganton Street, W1F 9BN), where DJs play from a large cauldron on the dance floor. The club also features a VIP colonial safari tent.

Local Attractions

National Gallery in Trafalgar Square,  London Soho has a number of attractions and venues that have become famous over the years and offer your workforce a chance to sample the delights of London.

National Portrait Gallery
St Martin's Place, WC2H 0HE
The National Portrait Gallery contains portraits of famous figures from the 15th century to the present day. The appeal lies in that not only can you track the development of portrait art through the centuries, but you can see who the famous faces of the day were, in a collection of over 10,000 paintings housed in an old and grand building. Admission is free.

National Gallery
Trafalgar Square, WC2N 5DN

Trafalgar Square’s National Gallery houses some of the most important works of British art ever painted. Its size and reputation means it receives many world-class exhibits and also houses works in a huge range of styles, covering everything from the Early Renaissance onwards. Definitely worth a visit, and best of all, admission is free.

Liberty of London
Regent Street, W1B 5AH

Liberty is a department store with a difference - it was opened in 1875 and has since become world-famous for its fabric range. Such was its association with the world of design that Italy’s Art Noveau movement became known as ‘Stile Liberty.’ Very popular with designers in the 1960s, the proportioned timber framed Tudor house now houses a diverse range of womanswear, antiques and arts and crafts.

Office Space in Soho

Workspace has a variety of offices to let in the Soho area, ranging from light industrial to rehearsal space. Below is a selection of our most popular properties.

If you’d like the vibrancy of Soho but are looking for greater proximity to the publishing sectors, Clerkenwell offers superb office space opportunities. Alternatively, if you need to be closer to the financial sectors, Bank is a very logical choice. If you’d like a free consultation on the availability and benefits of our office space around London give us a call on 0207 247 7614.

Commercial Property in Soho

Find commercial property in Soho with Workspace, we have a great range of properties throughout London including office space, studio space, serviced offices, workshops and industrial units and all available to rent on flexible & affordable terms.