I was looking for a coworking space to work from on my first full day in London. I could have stayed at my accommodation, but it seemed like a waste — I’d flown 14 hours and would just be talking to people back home via Twitter. Better to get out, be somewhere new, and maybe meet someone interesting.
Finding a Coworking Space in London
A quick Google Maps search turned up a long list of options. There are also dedicated coworking directories for London if you want to go deeper. After browsing for a while, I settled on Soho Collective in the Soho neighborhood. At £35 per day it wasn’t cheap, but the package made the most sense compared to others, which mostly required a minimum weekly rental. For the day rate you got all-day access, fast internet, free tea and coffee, and printing. The location was prime, and the environment was exactly the kind of place that encourages creative thinking.
I emailed ahead and was helped by Simon, one of the managers. I made my way over, walking from Leicester Square station — about a four-minute walk according to Google Maps. When I arrived at the address, I couldn’t find it. The building numbering system was confusing and number 12 simply didn’t appear to exist. I walked back and forth, getting impatient. Eventually, hungry and frustrated, I ducked into the nearest Subway and sent Simon a message suggesting they needed clearer directions, because the place was genuinely hard to find.
Meanwhile I was already in contact with a new acquaintance — Arya, an Indonesian student studying music business at the University of Westminster in London. We had planned to meet that day. I asked him if he had a coworking space recommendation, since I didn’t want to pay for Soho Collective and then immediately leave to meet him. His reply changed the plan entirely.
“There’s this place… and that place… and also — Google Campus, Mas!”
My mood went from thoroughly deflated to immediately re-energized. “Google Campus? Yes, absolutely.”
About Google Campus London
Google Campus London — usually just called Campus London — is a seven-story building developed by Google and dedicated to the success of local startups through collaboration, mentoring, and networking programs. It’s part of Google for Entrepreneurs, and it offers high-speed wifi, a café, a coworking space, networking events, and knowledge-sharing sessions.
Does the program work? According to a survey of 2,000 members (out of a total 22,000), in the 12 months leading up to the December 2013 report: 100,000 entrepreneurship-related visitors had come through Campus London; the community had created 564 new jobs and generated £34 million in funding; the average team had grown by 25% since joining; and members came from 61 countries. A local hub with global reach.
Even though Arya and I ended up working outside — the interior was completely full — the place had an incredible energy. Ideas were flowing. The conversation was fast and wide-ranging. I genuinely felt more creative just being there.
After about an hour, the afternoon chill started setting in and we tried to find space inside — still full. We moved to a nearby EAT restaurant, which offered free wifi through The Cloud network. The contrast was immediate. The same people, the same conversation — but the energy that Campus had sparked just evaporated the moment we walked into a generic fast food environment. That said something real about the power of space and context.
How to Use Google Campus
Anyone in London can use the coworking area and wifi for free (becoming a resident is a separate arrangement). You just sign up with a Google, Twitter, or LinkedIn account — Facebook doesn’t work, for the record — and you get a card to swipe each time you visit.
My brief visit left a strong impression. I’ll definitely go back the next time I’m in London, or when I find myself near another Campus location elsewhere in the world. Highly recommended.