A guide to office space in Reading
Reading is a large town located in the county of Berkshire. In recent years it has become a commercial centre in the Thames Valley as well as a leader in the insurance and IT industries Reading has played a significant role in the historical growth of the technology sector, being the early site of International Computers Limited and Digital. The town is now home to the headquarters of a number of British companies and the UK offices of a list of foreign multinationals. These include big names such as Microsoft, Oracle and Prudential. Despite being close enough to London to sometimes be regarded as part of the London commuter belt, Reading actually has a net inward commuter flow from around the UK, with over 30,000 people coming into the town each day. Because of its central location, Reading has long been established as a major transport interchange for both rail and road, with easy access to the M4 and national train networks.
The location
Reading is conveniently located close to many of England’s major cities.It is 36 miles west of central London, 24 miles from Oxford and 70 miles from Bristol.
As the town has grown, so its suburbs have spread.
Reading’s Functional Economic Area (FEA) stretches from Theale in the west to Bracknell in the east.
This area acts as a catalyst, stimulating the wider regional economy.
The main areas of Reading include:
Neighbouring areas - price comparisons, per person per month
| Area | Indicative price range |
|---|---|
| Reading | £250 - 350 |
| Maidenhead | £250 - 350 |
| Milton Keynes | £300 - 350 |
| Canary Wharf | £600 – 900 |
Looking for an office in Reading
The office market in Reading is constantly growing as more and more companies look to move to the town for an affordable alternative to London.
There are also a lot of new office spaces in development to accommodate this growth, with Reading currently undergoing a £850 million expansion programme to improve capacity.
There is a real mix of businesses and workspace types in the area, but satellite offices for large companies are particularly prominent.
Green Park is a great location for businesses looking for a flexible office solution in Reading.
It offers great pricing, good parking facilities and is right next to the M4, meaning that it gives companies easy access in and out.
Costs
The cost of office space in Reading offers a much more affordable alternative to that of London.
The average serviced office price in Reading Town Centre is £300 per person per month or £350 for top-end solutions.
Business parks are generally a slightly cheaper choice, starting at around £280 per person, while you can find a suitable suite in Theale from just £250.
When looking at serviced offices, it is important to remember that these costs usually include a variety of amenities and as such can offer great value for money.
Office sizes
With a wide range of office space available, Reading offers businesses a variety of choices when setting up in the town.
From large corporate suites to smaller, three to four person spaces, the area is not short of flexible office solutions.
Many people from around the UK are now opting for serviced options as they tend to not only be more cost effective, but also more flexible, allowing for rapid growth without strict long-term lease commitments.
Instant Offices are able to accommodate requests from both small companies and large corporations, according to their specific requirements.
Five things you probably didn't know about Reading:
- Reading is full of green space; it has over 100 parks and playgrounds
- The famous poet, playwright and author Oscar Wilde wrote ‘The Ballad of Reading Gaol’ in 1897 about the hanging of Charles Thomas Wooldridge, a fellow inmate of the prison
- Established in 1971, Reading Festival is a major UK music festival that takes place every year across the August bank holiday weekend; only Glastonbury Festival is larger in the UK
- Reading is home to five Grade I listed buildings; Reading Abbey, the Abbey Gateway, Reading Minster, St Laurence’s Church and Greyfriars Church
- Henry I of England founded Reading Abbey in 1121 and was buried there in 1135
Why choose Reading?
While much smaller than some of the UK’s major cities, Reading offers businesses just as much, at a more affordable rate.
Featuring inexpensive office space and one of the busiest national interchanges in Britain with direct routes to almost anywhere in the UK, Reading is the ideal place to grow your business.
Heathrow Airport is just 30 minutes away and businesses can enjoy easy access to London without the congestion and price tag attached.
With some of the biggest names in technology and insurance on your doorstep, there is no shortage of networking opportunities to be had.
With all this, and its emerging office market, it is no surprise that Reading has been named one of the top ten cities driving the UK’s economy.
A closer look at Reading
The most popular areas in Reading for office space are:
Theale- Home to a host of small businesses along the high street
- Features large business parks including Theale Business Park, Theale Technology Centre and Arlington Business Park
- Offers office space beside its railway station on the London to Exeter line, allowing for easy access in and out.
- Centered 5 miles southwest of Reading Town Centre
- Long associated with pubs and the brewing trade
- Hosts large names in commerce including PepsiCo, RBS and Wrigleys
- An eco business park featuring the UK’s most visible wind turbine, making it a great place for Earth-conscious businesses
- 195 acres of commercial real estate and business community
- Offers beautiful, green surroundings and places to take lunch
- Is home to both global names such as Cisco and Carson and Co as well as smaller, niche companies
- Close to junction 11 of the M4 highway, so is easy to access for both workers and clients
- The Town Centre is home to a range of different companies in technology, insurance and finance including Prudential and Yell
- Offers businesses fast train links directly into London
- It is the town’s main retail hub, with Broad Street at its centre
- Features major department stores such as John Lewis, Debenhams and House of Fraser
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.