A guide to office space in Edinburgh
Edinburgh, capital of Scotland, has the strongest economy in the UK, after London, and is considered to be the UK’s second financial centre. The economy is dominated by financial services, scientific research, higher education, and tourism. The banking and finance industry is particularly prominent, with both the Bank of Scotland and Royal Bank of Scotland headquartered in the city. Edinburgh has one of the highest percentages of professionals in the UK, and is also one of the most competitive cities for business.
The location
Edinburgh is situated in Lothian, a region of the Scottish Lowlands, on the southern shore of the Firth of Forth. The central part of the city is divided into three areas – Old Town and New Town, which are designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and the West End, which contains the Financial District.
Neighbouring areas - price comparisons, per person per month
| Below are the prices of serviced offices given on a per person per month basis in the city, and are based on a minimum to maximum average, derived from our Sales Team's knowledge. |
| Area | Indicative price range |
|---|---|
| Edinburgh | £250 – 400 |
| Lochside Park | £175 – 250 |
| Bathgate | £175 – 250 |
| Livingston | £175 – 250 |
Looking for an office in Edinburgh
For those looking to move into the area, Central Edinburgh is ideal — it's conveniently located, with plenty of availability and options to suit your needs and budget.
In terms of future developments, the Granton waterfront area is undergoing regeneration, which will eventually lead to the construction of new homes, as well as business, retail and leisure facilities.
Costs
Prices for serviced office space in Edinburgh range from £150 – 400 per person per month, and vary according to location and requirements. These costs are also inclusive of amenities, which include anything from Internet to lounges, kitchen facilities, AV equipment, parking, reception services and meeting rooms.
Office sizes
Most requests are for private serviced office spaces — coworking is less popular in Edinburgh. Instant deals mainly with established companies in Edinburgh, but also assists start-ups and smaller businesses looking to set up in the area.
Instant offer a great variety of office sizes, and we're able to accommodate most enquiries, from one person through to 100 or more. Office providers can be flexible with the workspace layout, and partitioning is also an option.
Why choose Edinburgh?
Edinburgh is a historical city with good transport links to the rest of the UK, especially London, and is a thriving business hub. The Scottish Government, and several important law courts and public sector agencies are based here, making Edinburgh an important decision-making centre. There are also a number of tertiary institutions in the city, which is ideal for graduate recruitment. With one of the UK’s strongest economies and consistent prosperity, Edinburgh provides companies with the ideal market in which to do business. Indeed, Edinburgh was voted the 2013 “Best Large European City of the Future” by the Financial Times fDi Magazine.
Five things you probably didn’t know about Edinburgh:- 75% of buildings in Edinburgh city centre are listed
- The 450,000 population of Edinburgh more than doubles in August each year because of the Edinburgh Festival, an international arts festival
- Over 30% of Edinburgh’s workforce live outside the city
- Edinburgh was named UNESCO’s first City of Literature in 2004
- Like Rome, Edinburgh was built on seven hills
A closer look at Edinburgh
These are the most popular areas in which to rent office space:
Leith
Leith is a historic port district in the northern part of Edinburgh. The dockland area has undergone extensive redevelopment in recent years, attracting both new businesses and residents. Many designers, architects and computer companies are situated in this highly desirable area. The Scottish Government is also headquartered here. Leith boasts excellent local amenities, including waterfront attractions, restaurants, banks and shopping centres. The area is well served by bus routes.
Central Edinburgh
Central Edinburgh is home to the CBD, and is populated by businesses from a wide range of industries. Major companies based here include Skyscanner, Virgin Money, Investec, Brodies LLP and DLA Piper. Famous landmarks like Edinburgh Castle, Holyrood Palace, the official residence of the British monarch in Scotland; and the Royal Mile, a network of streets forming the main thoroughfare through Central Edinburgh’s Old Town can be found here. There are good public transport links — including bus and tram stops, as well as Edinburgh Waverley railway station, which provides connections to the rest of the UK and Scotland, including London, Newcastle, York and Glasgow.
South Gyle
South Gyle is on the western edge of Edinburgh, and can be divided into two sections — one residential, and the other commercial. Edinburgh Park, a premier business park, is based here, home to companies such as Aegon UK, Lloyds Banking Group, HSBC, JP Morgan, Fujitsu and Regus. The area is a short drive away from Edinburgh Airport, and is served by Edinburgh Park station for train connections, Edinburgh Park Central for tram connections, as well as several bus routes. Businesses in South Gyle enjoy a tranquil setting, free parking and convenient local amenities which include the Gyle Shopping Centre.
For more information on the current state of the UK serviced office market check out our UK Flexible Workspace Review 2016.
Want to find out more?
If you’re looking to move into the area, or simply require more information, contact Instant Offices' specialist local consultants.
Email our team or call us and we'll be delighted to help you.