West London Office Spaces Coworking in the evening

Which coworking space is right for your business?

January 3, 2025/in Blog, Co-Working Industry/by Eva Luitsz

Coworking spaces are becoming increasingly popular. In fact, they’re projected to make up 30% of all office spaces by 2030, up from just 2% in 2023. All this means that it can be, well, a bit painful if you’re looking to start a membership somewhere. Loads of buzzwords, membership variations, marketing, endless options; who can really blame you? It’s hard to know where to start.

With so much variety, it’s important you research what aspects of a coworking membership will be most important for you. This is because different coworking spaces will likely be more beneficial to you depending on why you’re using them – for example, you could be using them as somewhere to work instead of at home, or maybe even for a small business. In this article, we will look at what we think you should consider most when deciding what works best for you.

What to look for in a coworking space

Trial Period

Many coworking spaces offer trial periods or day passes, allowing you to experience the space before committing fully. Take advantage of these opportunities to test the coworking space and see if it meets your needs. Perhaps go there and work for a day, experiencing what it has to offer – this may include facilities, seating areas and networking opportunities. What is there to lose? The surest way to know if something is right for you is to try it yourself, and with a trial, you can do so with no strings attached.

Location and Transport Links

Ideally, a coworking space should be easily accessible for you, your team, clients, partners, and other businesses you frequently interact with. A central location with great transportation links is a must. Additionally, the surrounding area should offer amenities such as cafes, restaurants, and shops, and at affordable prices too. This may sound trivial, but if your team ends up having to spend outrageous amounts on their lunch (you know what London prices are like, even for sandwiches), then they will have less incentive to leave home. It will devalue whatever great benefits the coworking space provides itself.

Cost

Budget is a significant factor when selecting a coworking space. Compare the pricing plans of different coworking spaces and determine what is included in the cost. Some spaces offer flexible membership options, such as daily, weekly, or monthly passes, while others may require long-term commitments. Ensure that the cost aligns with your budget and provides good value for the amenities and services offered.

Flexibility and Package Options

Flexibility is essential, especially for businesses that may experience growth or changes in their work patterns. Look for coworking spaces that offer flexible membership plans and the ability to scale up or down as needed. Some coworking spaces provide options for private offices, dedicated desks, or hot desks, allowing you to choose the setup that best suits your needs. Unsure which of these package types you would require? Luckily, once again we’re here to help!

Amenities and Services

Different coworking spaces offer various amenities and services. Consider what is essential for your work and productivity. Common amenities include high-speed internet, meeting rooms, phone booths, printing facilities, kitchen areas, and comfortable workstations. Some coworking spaces also offer additional perks such as fitness centres! Make a list of must-have amenities and compare them across different coworking spaces.

Community and Networking Opportunities

One of the main benefits of coworking spaces is the opportunity to connect with like-minded professionals. Consider the community and culture of the coworking space. Are there regular networking events, workshops, or social activities? Admittedly, networking events can become quite tiresome (there’s only so many times you can introduce yourself and your profession before it gets dull), but you’ll count yourself lucky that you went if it leads to new business opportunities! So, visit the coworking space and interact with current members to get a feel for the community.

Technology and Infrastructure

Reliable technology and infrastructure are essential, with high speed internet usually coming standard for most coworking spaces. Check if the coworking spaces you look at provide access to advanced technology, such as video conferencing equipment and smartboards, which can be beneficial for meetings and presentations. Pro tip: another thing you can perhaps look at if you go for a trial is the availability of plug sockets! There’s nothing more annoying than watching your laptop battery slowly seep away because there’s no plugs to be found in the building.

Reviews and Recommendations of the coworking space

Lastly, research reviews and recommendations from current or past members of the coworking space. It’s the best way to be completely sure that your pick is the right one.

Coworking spaces at Venture X, West London

At Venture X, we offer fantastic coworking spaces in West London at two West London locations, Chiswick Park and White City. Take a trip to our homepage to book a tour or get more information!

8 Essential Coworking Space Features | London Edition

September 17, 2024/in Blog, Co-Working Industry/by Eva Luitsz

If you’re looking for a no-nonsense list of essential coworking space features, this is it! In this article we will detail some of the most useful features that coworking spaces can offer you, allowing your work to be done as smoothly as possible.

We like to point out that London has more coworking spaces than any other city worldwide, so this is especially relevant to you if you live around the city. Not all coworking spaces are made equal, mind you – some may not offer all of the features on this list – but here we will list the features we expect a good quality coworking space should be able to provide (such as ours!).

Let’s get started.

Essential coworking space features in London

Number 1: High speed internet

In the post-Covid era, effective collaboration hinges more and more on video calling. We’ve all likely had to suffer through video calls where either we are panicking because our connection is dodgy, or where we have to try to discern broken speech from someone else whose own connection is unreliable.

It always ends up being a waste of everybody’s time. With so many meetings nowadays being hybrid it’s essential to have a consistently reliable connection, and home broadband doesn’t always cut it.

A good coworking space will have its own high capacity, high speed internet; when you’re there, you will never have to worry about a poor connection again, whether that’s in London, or anywhere else in the world.

Number 2: Networking events

For a coworking space containing a load of independent business professionals, networking events make sense, right? Networking events are a fantastic way to meet like-minded people and advance your career. Most coworking spaces will hold these frequently in their communal areas, usually entry is free for those who have packages at that coworking space.

Number 3: Private office spaces

Some coworking spaces (such as Venture X) offer private office spaces for small businesses who wish to have their own space.

In our case, aspects such as branding and layout are even customisable! The advantage of having a private office space within a coworking building, rather than a traditional office space, is that you are still able to enjoy the benefits of coworking space, such as networking events for example.

Number 4: Tea and coffee facilities

Coffee these days is a rip off, there’s no other way of putting it – especially in cities such as London. Depending where you are, you can see chains charging up to £5 for a cup of your favourite coffee, and that’s assuming you don’t have one of those annoying hyper-specific coffee orders with seven different additions.

Tea is the worst rip off, as some chains will charge £3 for… a tea bag and water? Seriously?

We digress. The point is, a coworking space can save you a lot of money in the long run as they can provide you with unlimited tea and affordable coffee options, as part of your package.

Spending up to £5 per hot drink every day you go into the office can start to add up very quickly, so the savings are larger than you might think. That’s not even factoring in how convenient it is to order a coffee in the same building you are working.

Number 5: Large communal areas

These have much the same benefits as the networking events described above, just in a less formal setting.

Coworking spaces are designed to have large communal areas, such as seating areas, which are there to encourage casual conversation between members.

It doesn’t even have to be business related either – even simple conversation can make the work atmosphere a lot lighter and therefore more enjoyable.

Number 6: Private meeting spaces

For meetings which may discuss more sensitive information, coworking spaces have private meeting spaces to hand, which tend to require booking.

Alternatively, for video calls, convenient private phone booths will be available which won’t require booking, you can simply go in if it’s free. At our Chiswick Park location, we even have outdoor meeting pods which are set amongst grass and lakes!

Number 7: Recreational facilities

Another of the essential coworking space features includes recreational facilities such as ping pong tables or table football, they organise weekly events to bring members together and create a community.

This is again a fantastic opportunity to meet others in the building in an informal setting, and most importantly to stretch out your lunch break as long as you can.

Number 8: Virtual office

Say you don’t require a physical space to work in, but would rather a prestigious business address for your mail and enquiries.

Coworking spaces once again have you covered! Many offer simple virtual office packages at very low prices. For example, at Venture X, starting at just £50 per month (plus VAT), you would get access to the following: access to a prestigious business address in London, mail forwarding and parcel handling services, telephone redirection and answering services, meeting room access and access to other on-demand amenities, and access to our events program and Member Community. For more information, check out our article on it.

So there you go! That’s why you should seriously consider getting a package at a coworking space. Of course, if you want to do that, only the best will suffice… Allow Venture X to step in. Take a trip to our homepage to book a tour or get more information.

MEET THE MEMBERS | David Rushton – Fractional CTO, Technology Consultant and Advisor

July 8, 2024/in Co-Working Industry, Venture X News/by Eva Luitsz

My name is David Rushton, and I provide technology leadership to companies who lack in-house senior digital expertise. This includes working as an extension of the team as a ‘Chief Technology Officer’, as a consultant focused on specific projects and initiatives, or in a more general advisory capacity to ensure the right decisions are taken and they’re headed in the right direction.

It’s easy to assume that every company is backed by a strong technology team. But in reality, this isn’t the case. Many start-ups are built by non-technical founders, and many SMEs have never built in-house technology teams. In either case, technology is a key enabler of growth, and a lack of skills in this area can be a key blocker.

Startups and founders typically engage me to help them launch a digital product. This might be a web application, a mobile app, or an e-commerce offering. In addition, they’re also at a stage where they need to correctly choose and integrate several key back-office systems, for example CRM, ERP and marketing automation platforms.

SMEs approach me for similar things, but their situation is usually quite different. They are often ‘suffocated’ by legacy systems and ways of working that won’t scale and support them on their next stage of growth. They need help consolidating, refreshing, re-imagining, integrating and (finally) automating their ‘digital estate’. In some cases, they have identified a new revenue stream that could be realised with the right technology, which often leads to the creation of a digital product.

Regardless of their specific situation, my role is always to help provide technology that aligns with their business vision and ultimately enables them to grow. Whilst it’s often easy to think about building custom solutions (which can be expensive), I often find that there are existing offerings that can be neatly integrated to achieve a client’s desired outcome – without breaking the bank. But where custom solutions are required (or would add significant value), I work closely with teams to define requirements and engage with a partner who’s best placed to deliver them.

I’ve been at Venture X for 10 months now, and I must say, I love it! Yes, the workspace is extremely modern, well-furnished, spotless and brilliantly managed. But it’s the sense of community that really sets it apart for me. People are lovely, engaging and I’ve made some great contacts and friends along the way. Regular socials and events have been a fantastic way to expand my network with like-minded people who bring different ideas and perspectives. There’s definitely a ‘buzz’ around the place, but if you need some quiet time and to get your head down, then that’s absolutely possible too.

If you would like to know more about me or what I do, then please feel free to visit my website or my LinkedIn profile.

CASE STUDY: The Move of Spark! to Venture X

July 8, 2024/in Co-Working Industry, Venture X News/by Eva Luitsz

What do they do?

Spark!, a team of 17 dedicated individuals, is a youth employment charity operating across West London since 2010, committed to ensuring all young people are ready, equipped, motivated, and able to enter the world of work. By providing meaningful employment engagement, work readiness skills development, and employment opportunities, Spark! supports young people, especially those who need it most.

Spark!’s recent move to Venture X, White City, marks an exciting new chapter. This vibrant, collaborative workspace will enhance the charity’s ability to connect with local businesses and community leaders, creating essential partnerships. With state-of-the-art facilities, Venture X offers the perfect environment for Spark!’s innovative programmes and initiatives.

Spark!’s Move to Venture X

Spark! moved to Venture X’s White City office in April, which is strategically located next to the newly launched West London Retail Skills Hub, a collaborative project between Spark!, Westfield & West London College – residing inside Westfield itself. The West London Retail Skills Hub, launched in June, aims to seamlessly link young people with retail training and career opportunities. Venture X’s geographic location supports Spark!’s mission to equip young people with the skills needed to thrive in various industries, addressing the gap where only 10% of young people consider a career in retail.

Between 2022/23, Spark! supported 3287 young people across 61 schools with the help of 369 employer partners spanning 22 sectors. All enabled by over 14,800 hours of volunteering from 778 incredible individuals. In all Spark! generated 4,195 employer engagement opportunities.Spark! is excited about the future and the opportunities that Venture X will bring. The charity remains dedicated to empowering young people and creating a brighter future for them across London.Join Us in Shaping the FutureJoin us in ensuring all young people, particularly those who will benefit most, have access to meaningful employer engagement.

Businesses: Partner with us to shape the next generation of talent and gain access to motivated young professionals, by emailing rachelmcadam@spark!charity.org.uk.
Volunteers: Make a meaningful difference by mentoring and empowering youth.

For more information, visit Spark!’s website or contact them directly.

What can you expect from office space prices in London?

June 17, 2024/in Blog, Co-Working Industry/by Eva Luitsz

Worried about office space prices in London? We don’t blame you – London is one of the world’s most important business hubs, and just to try and get a slice of the pie can cost a small fortune. London is a global city, and alongside New York, it makes up one of the only two cities worldwide to have a coveted Alpha++ rating, indicating the highest importance financially, commercially and culturally.

It really shouldn’t be a surprise that Britain’s richest city by a long way is also the most pricey. Anyone who has lived or worked in London can testify to how unreasonably expensive it can get. This can include anything from incredibly pricey property to high costs of commuting. Hell, it’s even a fiver for “artisan” coffee or a smoothie, which we think is a rip-off (even more baffling is that people actually pay it!).

Costs of traditional office spaces in London

Nowhere else is this trend of costliness more clear than for anyone looking for office space. In a financial hub such as London, with limited space, it’s only natural that the prices of commercial real estate go through the roof. Let’s have a look at what traditional office space prices in London are like in a few areas:

The City of London: Known as the financial district, this very pricey area commands prices ranging from £70 to £90 per square foot in rent, possibly higher. The City of London is historic and home to many large banks (including the Bank of England) and other financial powerhouses – its appeal is not only due to this, but to historical significance, excellent transport links, and prestige. Limited space drives up prices.

City Fringe: This area, including neighbourhoods like Shoreditch and Clerkenwell, offers office spaces priced between £65 and £80 per square foot in rent. It attracts startups, tech companies, and creative industries due to its vibrant atmosphere and regeneration. While still fairly expensive, due to their less central location, offices here are less expensive than in central London.

West End: The West End, with very high prices averaging £85 to £95 per square foot in rent, is famous for culture, entertainment, and tourism. It is home to London’s theatres and other places of culture such as Royal Albert Hall. Due to prestige and heavy foot traffic, retailers often pay top dollar for floor space here, though office space also remains expensive.

Mayfair: It’s the most expensive property in Monopoly for a reason. The luxury office spaces here are priced astronomically, from a staggering £100 to £150 per square foot in rent. It’s no wonder, considering the area is filled with luxury hotels, mansions and supercars, with a reputation for being at the very high end.

For more information, consider reading this report.

Prices of coworking spaces in London

So, if we’re talking more affordable office space prices in London, what about coworking spaces? (You could probably tell where this was leading).

They have many benefits which we will list below, but one of the largest is the comparative cost effectiveness instead of renting traditional office spaces, especially for small businesses. Coworking spaces can be found everywhere in London – in fact, with around 1,400, it’s the city with the most in the world. From the centre to every part of London, they can be found so there’s even more reason to start using one!

Our two Venture X UK locations are in the ever-thriving West London at Chiswick Park and White City. Here are some additional benefits you can expect at a coworking space such as ours:

Office space benefits at Venture X, West London

- Ergonomic furniture: Venture X in West London makes sure to provide super comfy ergonomic chairs and desks. The workspace is designed with you in mind, making sure you can work for long hours without feeling tired.
- Lightning-fast internet: In today’s digital age, having fast and reliable internet is a must. Venture X understands this and gives you two lightning-fast internet connections so you can always do everything online without any trouble – whether it’s uploading big files or joining a video call.
- Ready to go: No need to worry about setting up your office – we provide fully furnished spaces so you can start working right away, whether that’s in a private office space or in a shared hot-desking area.
- Private Meeting Rooms: Make use of our bookable private meeting rooms on site, providing a professional and quiet space for meetings.
- Private Phone Booths: For important calls or video meetings that require privacy and more peace than the office can provide, you can make use of our private phone booths in both our Chiswick Park and White City locations. In our Chiswick Park location, there are small private pods outside for meetings and phone calls too, set by the lawns and lakes.

Access to Members’ Events: Venture X is not just a place to work. At both our West London locations, we organise regular networking events where you can meet other professionals. These events not only make your work life more rewarding but allows you to meet like-minded people you may be able to collaborate with.

Community Management Team: Always on hand for assistance, our team will gladly help should you encounter any issues during your time with us.
Tea and coffee. We won’t rip you off and charge a fiver, it’s on us! Honest.

Coworking / Office Space in London Packages and Costs

Now, for the packages we can offer you, depending on your desired benefits. Most importantly, note the different prices for comparison to the traditional office spaces of London.

Community Membership:

Our most basic package is that of community membership. This is fantastic for those who generally only need to work from the office a handful of times each month. Starting at £160 per month (plus VAT), included are all the benefits listed above, plus a total of five day passes per month, allowing for hot desking on whichever days you choose to come in.

Includes:

- Ergonomic furniture
- Private phone booths
- Global lounge access
- Secure IT
- Meeting rooms on-demand
- Members discounts
- Events programme
- Community Management team

Day passes x5

Hot Desk:

If you work from the office more regularly – seeking somewhere more comfortable, or a more professional environment perhaps – then perhaps a hot desking package is right for you?

You will have the same benefits as above, only instead of limited day passes, you can enjoy 24/7 access to the office so you can start working as early, late or as frequently as you choose.

Your membership will give you access to the hot desking area, so it’s a case of turning up and using whichever desk you want that someone else isn’t already sitting at! Hot desk at Venture X for a price starting from just £280 per month (plus VAT).

Includes:

- Ergonomic furniture
- Private phone booths
- Global lounge access
- Secure IT
- Meeting rooms on-demand
- Members discounts
- Events programme
- Community Management team

24/7 access

Dedicated desk:

Feeling at home in the office? Prefer to have a permanent desk you can always sit at every time you come in? Well, the dedicated desk is for you.

Alongside a permanent place to work inside Venture X, you can also benefit from having on-site lockable storage for your things, alongside making Venture X your virtual office, the benefits of which are discussed further here. Gain your very own dedicated desk starting from just £480 per month, plus VAT.

Includes:

- Ergonomic furniture
- Private phone booths
- Global lounge access
- Secure IT
- Meeting rooms on-demand
- Members discounts
- Events programme
- Community Management team

24/7 access

Dedicated desk

Lockable storage

Virtual office

Private office:

Need more space for your employees? Venture X is here for you. Starting from £500 per month, per desk (plus VAT) you can enjoy a private office space within our building, plus with the benefits experienced in the other packages.

Our private offices are fully furnished, meaning you can move in right away, and feature smart access to help you control who can come in and out. For privacy and quiet, our private offices also feature extensive soundproofing.

Includes:

- Ergonomic furniture
- Private phone booths
- Global lounge access
- Secure IT
- Meeting rooms on-demand
- Members discounts
- Events programme
- Community Management team

24/7 access

Secure private office

So that’s what we can offer – and that’s not all! We can even offer our services without office space as a pure virtual office if you’d still prefer to work from home, more about which can be read here. Most importantly, we hope we have been able to provide a good idea of the different price points available for office space in London, from traditional office spaces to coworking spaces.

If office space prices in London don’t scare you, at least for coworking, then feel free to book a consultation!

What makes West London a business hub, and a great one at that?

March 15, 2024/in Blog, Co-Working Industry/by Eva Luitsz

“West London, a business hub? Actually, you’ll find that’s Central London! You’re an idiot.” – you, probably.

Well guess what? West London actually has emerged as one of the UK’s key business hubs, and noticeably so – home to many of the UK’s largest headquarters and boldest startups, it is clear that it’s one of the places to be if you want to set up yourself. But what exactly makes it so great?

Why West London is a business hub

The West has long been the wealthier side of London, especially since the docks started to decline in the East. While not all parts are great (we have to be honest), some areas such as Chiswick and White City are home to a fantastic concentration of talent and resources. West London is a place where you can see the headquarters of many reputable firms, the birth of new and exciting startups, and considerable investment. However, one thing you won’t find in some parts is a coffee for under £5, luckily we have our own delicious (and cheap) coffee at Venture X.

Let’s get into what makes a West London business location so great:

Strategic West London Location and Connectivity

West London is strategically situated between the bustling financial centre in Central London, and some key transportation hubs in the west, notably Heathrow Airport, the Great Western Mainline, the South Western Mainline, and multiple motorway routes. This is particularly advantageous because it combines access to expertise and clients in Central London with far easier access to markets across the rest of the country and abroad.

West London has a Diverse and Skilled Workforce

The business hub of West London boasts a highly skilled and diverse workforce, with a significant concentration of professionals in finance, technology, and creative industries. This means that quality talent is rarely in short supply and ensures that firms have access to the necessary people. London in general is home to a number of top universities such as Imperial College London and UCL, with Oxford and Cambridge relatively accessible too, which ensures that the talent pool is always topped up with fresh faces.

Thriving Business Ecosystem

In terms of infrastructure, West London offers a range of modern office spaces, business parks, and coworking facilities (wink wink) to cater to the needs of businesses of all sizes. The area also features a number of business support services, networking events, and industry clusters, which is fantastic for the growth of businesses. We all know Deliveroo, right? If not, that might be a bit worrying. ;) Deliveroo is a fine example of a startup from West London – it started small and had the perfect environment to grow.

West London has excellent transport infrastructure

As described in detail further below, TfL is excellent at providing quality public transport across London – West London can be accessed well from all directions, usually by bus, mainline train, Overground or Tube.

Some Major Companies with a Presence in West London

Around the area there are many major companies with headquarters or key offices, making West London a business hub, and impressively so.

Amazon: the e-commerce giant has its UK headquarters in Paddington, West London.

Google: has a major office in White City, supporting its operations in the region.

BBC: the BBC’s famous headquarters, where they produce their declining content, is situated in White City.

Unilever: the consumer goods giant has its UK headquarters in Chiswick, West London.

Two notable locations within West London that are home to many of these big businesses and fantastic infrastructure are Chiswick Park and White City.

Chiswick Park is one of the UK’s most notable business parks. It’s designed as a series of 12 buildings surrounding an ‘inner garden’ with a lake, waterfall, and landscaped pathways, creating a serene atmosphere for the workforce. The park is home to a variety of high profile names, including Pokemon, CBS, Paramount Pictures, Foxtons, Starbucks, Swarovski, Danone and Discovery.

White City, on the other hand, has emerged as a hub for media and creative industries, partly due to the influence of the BBC. It’s also home to the UK headquarters of other companies such as L’Oreal and Expedia.

Wait – hang on a minute! Did we just mention Chiswick Park and White City? Well, I wonder who could possibly have offices in both of these business hubs…

Enough joking around, no prizes for guessing! The answer is obviously Venture X. Those fantastic coworking spaces we mentioned earlier with delicious coffee? Well, that’s our thing. If you’d like to know more about what that entails, have a look here.

Now, how exactly do you get to our locations?

Venture X Chiswick Park

By rail

Venture X Chiswick Park is conveniently located in West London, easily accessible from Central London and Heathrow Airport. With excellent rail and bus connections, reaching us from various London suburbs is a breeze (assuming TfL does as it’s supposed to).

Venture X Chiswick Park is well-served by three main train stations:

Gunnersbury: The nearest Tube station, Gunnersbury, is located just across the road from the Chiswick Park main entrance. Exit towards Chiswick High Road, turn right, and you’ll see the main entrance to Chiswick Park on the left. Venture X is located in Building 7, at the park’s end, right of the lakes. Gunnersbury is on the District Line’s Richmond branch and the London Overground, connecting to Kew, Richmond, Hammersmith, Acton, Willesden, West Hampstead and Central London.
Chiswick Park: On the District Line’s Ealing Broadway branch, Chiswick Park Tube station is also a short stroll from our location. Exit onto Bollo Lane, take the footpath left just before the bridge, and use it to cross over into Chiswick Park. Venture X is immediately on the right in Building 7. Chiswick Park is the most convenient station from Heathrow Airport, with a simple change at Acton Town from the Piccadilly Line to the District Line.
Kew Bridge: A 20-minute walk away, Kew Bridge is on the local mainline train route between London Waterloo and Hounslow, passing through Clapham Junction, Wandsworth, Putney, and Barnes. It’s also ideal for those coming from Berkshire or Surrey. From Kew Bridge, head left on Chiswick High Road, navigate the roundabout, continue past Gunnersbury station, and enter Chiswick Park. Venture X is straight ahead, to the right of the lakes, in Building 7.

By bus

Numerous bus routes service Chiswick Park:

Main Entrance: Buses 110, 237, 267, 440, and H91 stop by the main entrance. From here, walk straight past the lakes to find Venture X in Building 7.
Eastern Side: Buses 70 and 440 stop on the eastern side. Walk up the steps, and you’ll find Venture X beside you in Building 7.

Venture X White City

By rail

Shepherd’s Bush: A fairly short walk from our office on Ariel Way, Shepherd’s Bush is served by both the London Overground and the Central Line (however, on the latter, White City station is closer to our offices so we recommend using that instead). This allows for easy access from Clapham Junction (and therefore South and South West London), plus access from North London via Willesden Junction on the Overground. Our office is on the other side of Westfield from the station, but luckily you can avoid having to go through the centre itself!
White City: The closest Central Line station to our office, this is a fantastic link to Central London as well as the suburbs of Acton, Ealing, Greenford and Ruislip. After exiting, head left down Wood Lane, past Wood Lane station, to get to our offices.

Wood Lane: Adjacent to our offices and very close to White City station, Wood Lane is served by the Hammersmith & City and Circle Lines. These lines provide great access from Paddington station, as well as other areas such as Hammersmith and Baker Street.

Heathrow Travel: For international client meetings, our White City location is under an hour from Heathrow. Either take the Piccadilly Line from your airport terminal and change to one of the Hammersmith and City/Circle Lines at Hammersmith. Exit at Wood Lane station, and you’re a two-minute walk from our doors. Alternatively, take the Heathrow Express to Paddington, and change to the Hammersmith and City/Circle Lines, also getting off at Wood Lane.

By Bus:

Local Access: The White City bus station is a stone’s throw away, providing numerous bus routes to more local areas to our office.

So if you’re still unsure about coworking in one of the UK’s liveliest business hotspots, have a look at what coworking can offer you!

The future office trends you should know about for 2024

December 6, 2023/in Blog, Co-Working Industry/by Eva Luitsz

I see you’re looking to some future office trends to get ahead of the curve? You’re in the right place.

The world of work is always evolving. Even just five years ago, things were very different – if you had suggested to anyone that a bad cough would spread around the world, force governments all over into lockdowns of their citizens, and that we’d barely leave home for a year or two, you would have been laughed out of the room as some sort of conspiracy theorist. Back then, the thought of video calls as the default way of doing meetings, and working from home as an option for office workers, would have been unthinkable. Yet look at what happened.

It wasn’t just COVID that changed things either. Within only the last two years, we have seen the rise of AI. ChatGPT is of course the most widely used and obvious example, as its broad range of applications mean it can be used by all sorts of people to give help or information on whatever they need.

It’s been a game-changer – whether it’s coding, writing, generation of ideas, you name it, ChatGPT can likely do it. However, a human ‘touch’ has proven to be needed (luckily), but we are excited to see how this will evolve in 2024.

So, what are the next future office trends we should be looking out for? We can never be 100% sure about what will be a hit, and what will be a miss, but here we will list some future office trends you should look out for in 2024.

Future office trend 1: Increasing employee wellbeing in 2024

The idea of office workers staying in from 9 to 5 in a tired office environment is going out of fashion. All the rage these days is about employee wellbeing – firms more than ever are considering factors such as employee mental health and work/life balance to avoid employee burnout and to improve productivity.

If you are a business owner and haven’t incorporated something to ensure employee wellbeing, you should probably start now, otherwise in the future you may find yourself left behind.

What employee would choose an old-fashioned employer with a hard stance on work when they can get benefits elsewhere?

Future office trend 2: Hybrid working

As mentioned earlier, COVID highlighted that an office isn’t exactly necessary for work to be done, considering modern communications technology. Video conferencing is as easy as ever, and there are a variety of messaging platforms too to keep up with progress.

As a result, business owners will have less geographic restriction on the people they can employ – instead of having to interview only the people who can easily commute to the office, and picking the best candidates of that limited selection, businesses can now hire the best people from anywhere.

This means that there will be much more competition for roles – however, there are drawbacks to working from home… That’s why we keep seeing hybrid working as a future office trend in 2024, it gives employees the best of both works, and more flexibility.

Future office trend 3: Greater focus on data within the work environment

Data is a prized commodity within the business world – it is objective and provides accurate and impersonal information on what is going well, and what isn’t so much.

Employees in the future will be expected to have some knowledge of data tools in the office, as well as knowing when and how to use them.
It’s nothing to be scared about, a lot of them are very usable, and all it does is represent a step up in analysis from previously acceptable basic Excel skills.

Office trend 4: Focus on AI in 2024

It has emerged over recent years that AI is not just a helpful tool that makes a lot of everyday tasks easier, but that it is actually the future; those who fail to learn how to use it will be left behind by the job market until they get up to scratch.

ChatGPT receives semi-regular updates with new features and improvements, plus there are new branches of AI becoming available that are able to perform more specific tasks. We expect employees using AI in 2024 more than ever before, this can apply to any industry.

Current workers, and indeed their employers, should make it a habit of keeping on top of AI trends and new uses for it; that way, they can make their work more efficient by making use of whatever new features become available.

The fast pace of innovations in AI will make it very easy to be left behind.

Well, these are our most educated guesses, anyway. At the time of writing, what is being said here looks like the likely direction of 2024; however, don’t stop here.

We think that you should always be on the lookout for future office trends that may come up; if there’s anything we’ve learnt, many of the recent big events that have impacted office life have been unforeseen, react quickly to such new trends when they emerge, and we’re sure you will be on top of all the trends in 2024.

For more office tips and trends, such as the benefits of coworking, why not check out the rest of our blog space here? Have a look at our co-working spaces in Chiswick Park and White City…

The Benefits of Having a Coworking Membership in West London

September 12, 2023/in Blog, Co-Working Industry/by Eva Luitsz

The Benefits of a Coworking Membership in West London

Hi, you! Have you joined our community? If so, welcome! You are now an official Venture X member. Being a member of our coworking space office brings many benefits. With our serviced coworking space with locations in Chiswick Park and White City (Westfield), we certainly won’t stop at just providing a workspace. So, what are some benefits of a coworking membership in West London at Venture X? Find out what’s involved in being a member of Venture X in our White City and Chiswick Park coworking spaces.

Coworking in Chiswick Park or White City, West London

A workspace where you can get motivated and pursue your dreams: that’s what we aim to provide for you first and foremost with our coworking space offices. But we are, of course, a serviced coworking space office. We care about you and want to offer you more than just a space to work from. This is what we offer you in addition:

Private phone booths
Global lounge access
Ergonomic furniture
Meeting rooms on-demand
Members discounts
Events
A dedicated Community Management team

With the ergonomically designed working stations, the private phone booths and meeting rooms, we will make sure you will always work comfortably, as it is important to be able to find your focus.

Coworking Community in West London

Did you know that you are also part of an amazing community in our West London coworking spaces? Socialising is an important part of the work culture and increases your network and collaborations.

That is why we organise events every month in our coworking spaces in both Chiswick Park and White City. We know it is important to take a break from that work routine and relax, so we offer the most fun activities too that are not about work at all.

Find out which events are coming up in September 2023 at our coworking space in Chiswick Park that you really don’t want to miss!

07 Sept. – Business, Career & Life Coaching

Could you use some reflection and coaching on your career and lifestyle? Then you should definitely join Victoria on September 7th. She will be in our coworking space in Chiswick Park between 10:00-17:00 offering 1-on-1 coaching sessions of 30-40 min. Grab your chance and make a booking with the Venture X management team.

14 Sept. – Welcome Afternoon Tea

Our team continues to grow and we always enjoy introducing you to our staff! So that you know who to contact with your questions, but also to get to know each other. To welcome our new Community Associate, Sasha, we will be having an afternoon tea from 15:00 prepared by Galeta in the Member’s Lounge.

19 Sept. – Anytime Fitness Wellness Day

Listen, it’s not all about work. We also need to look after our physical and mental health, right? If you are interested in detailed data of the state of your body, drop by our coworking space on 19 September between 12:00-15:00.

Anytime Fitness Chiswick Park will be in our space again and will bring the Evolt Scanner. It’s an approved medical device that measures the resistance of various internal body organs, muscle, fat and water. Join us if you missed out last time or want to see any progress.

21 Sept. – Mikala’s Leaving Drinks

While we arrange many welcomes, we unfortunately also have to arrange some goodbyes. Our Community Associate, Mikala, is moving back to Australia.

On the 21th of September, you can say goodbye and enjoy delicious drinks. Starting from 16:30, see you there!

28 Sept. – Member’s Drinks

Hey, we haven’t forgotten about you. During the last event of the month, we celebrate you. Come to our monthly member drinks and celebrate your hard work and the month of September with other members. Starting at 16:30.

Just a few examples to show how much fun it is to be a member at Venture X, West London.

Not a member yet and would you like to apply for a membership? We have different types of memberships. In this blog you will find more information about Hot Desks and Dedicated Desks.

If you’re interested in booking a tour in one of our workspaces in West London, please contact us by emailing: hello@venturex.uk, via the WhatsApp feature on our website or call us directly on 0203 585 2900.

Private Podcast Studio Space Offered at Venture X White City

June 27, 2022/in Co-Working Industry, Venture X News/by Eva Luitsz

Did you know there are over 2 million active podcasts with over 48 million episodes between them? And that was as of April 2021. Despite the huge volume of podcasts worldwide, the medium continues to grow in popularity. According to a 2021 study on global podcast consumption, there were 332 million people consuming podcasts. This is predicted to increase to around 500 million by 2024. There’s no denying that whether you’re an individual looking to entertain or a business looking to build your brand, podcasting has huge potential. This is reflected by the advertising revenue of podcasts, with ad spend expected to exceed $2 billion by 2023 according to a report by IAB Pricewaterhouse Coopers. But if you want to make one, you’ll need a podcast studio first…

Below are some tips for maximising your podcast potential and where you can find the best podcast studios in West London.

Top tips for recording a podcast

If you’re looking to start a successful podcast, or if you’re looking to improve the one you already have, below are some key things to do:

Create content people are looking for
Define your content creation goals
Use the right podcast recording equipment
Record in a quiet space or a podcast recording studio
Warm your voice up
Resolve sound issues early
Publish regularly
Welcome and ask for feedback and reviews

These are just some best practices. The hard part is at the start: planning the content and making sure it’s relevant, entertaining and interesting. The podcast recording is arguably the easier bit. So put in the hard graft before you hit the mic!

Podcast production

Define your goals

Before embarking on producing your podcast, ask yourself why you’re creating it to start with? What are your content creation goals? Defining them is the first step to achieving them.

Is it to raise awareness of your brand? To generate leads? To build a relationship with your listeners? To share your thoughts or expertise? To build a community?

Think about:

Who your ideal listener is
What the perfect structure and format is
If it should be scripted and to what extent
When it’s best to schedule and release episodes

Depending on the format (story-telling, interview, solo discussion) there may be different requirements for production.

On top of actually recording the podcast – there are things to consider before and after in regards to production, namely pre and post-production:

Pre-production

Deciding on your podcast’s subject and purpose
Podcast title and cover art
Choosing a structure and format
Scripting and editing
Organising guests (if required)

Post-production

Intros and outros
Sound design
Transitions
Audio editing
Video editing (if visual format is also required)
Mix and mastering

If you’re not sure how to produce a podcast or are looking for extra support, many London podcast studios offer packages to help with production as well as provide a quiet space to record.

Do I need a studio for a podcast?

It is possible to record a podcast from home, however, there is a cost and investment in recording a podcast with good sound quality and a professional final product.

Podcast equipment needed

Microphones
Mic stand
Headphones
Cables
Sound treatment/soundproofing
Audio interface/mixer
Computer/laptop
Internet access
Cameras (for video podcasts)
A spare room (ideally carpeted, without external walls or large windows, and without appliances such as boilers)

The cost of this equipment can range from the hundreds to the thousands depending on your budget and the quality you’re looking for.

If you’re apprehensive about making this investment there are always more affordable options. If you don’t have an appropriate room or are looking for a dedicated and professional space specifically designed for podcasting then you may want to find yourself a podcast studio.

Luckily for you, there are plenty of podcast studios in London available to hire by the hour or by the day. Podcast studios offer everything from state of the art recording equipment to custom lighting for filming, temperature control for comfort and a flexible booking system for ease.

Where can I record a podcast in West London?

There are plenty of options if you’re looking for podcast studios in West London.

We have our very own podcast studio at White City offering everything you need for your podcast recording in a bustling area of West London, right by Westfields. Our studio is designed to make everything as easy for you as possible. Walk in, plug in, record and walk away with a high-quality recording.

Studios range from as low as £40 per hour for basic packages to £100+ per hour depending on your needs and what they offer. Some studios offer packages if you’re looking to buy a block of time or offer special rates for full or half days.

Some studios, including our own, also provide their own or partner production services if you’re looking for more than just a space to record.

Venture X Podcast studio

Our podcast studio in London is designed to make podcasting easy and enjoyable whilst ensuring high quality audio.

Our facilities include:

Up to 6 contributors
Plug in and play capabilities for a seamless recording process
Professional quality audio and video recording
Fast and reliable wifi
A quiet and professional space providing privacy as you record
End-to-end service including professional editing and post-production

Our studio is perfect for podcasts, vlogs, social media and digital projects to inject life into your brand and business. You can even bring your own branding to make the space your own!

Venture X Podcast Studio West London FAQ

Do you have to be a Venture X member to have access to the podcast studio?

No, we welcome anyone looking to record a podcast or who wants a secure, soundproof meeting space.

Do you get access to other facilities?

We can provide catering for your booking as required and you’re welcome to make use of our beautiful Member Lounge.

We understand that so much goes into producing a one hour episode of a podcast and our studio and workspace is designed to make the process a joy.

Can I eat/drink in the studio?

Cups of tea are welcome – but please drink responsibly!

Is it possible to hire the recording studio for the day to do back-to-back episodes?

Yes, booking is available by the hour, half-day or full-day. Prices start from £150 per hour, or £480 per half-day, or £900 per full day (+ VAT).

Contact our team to visit our recording studio and get your podcast off the ground.

You can contact us via email (whitecity@venturex.uk), via the WhatsApp feature on our website or call us directly on 0203 585 2900.

Do your employees want to come back to the office?

May 26, 2022/in Co-Working Industry, Venture X News/by Eva Luitsz

Over the past year, life has returned to some sense of ‘normality’ post-pandemic, yet many people continue to work remotely. Air B&B recently announced a ‘completely remote’ work policy, even offering the opportunity to spend 90 days of the year working abroad. But not everyone wants their teams to continue working remotely, relying on video meetings to be productive. Similarly, according to a Work From Home survey by Gensler, only 12% of workers want to continue working from home full time. But do you your employees want to come back to the office? What happens if they don’t want to?

What to do if your team doesn’t want to go back to the office

The first thing to do if your team is reluctant to head back to the office is to find out why. Have one on one conversations with your teams to find the solutions.

What you assume to be the reason may be completely wrong. People may have safety concerns, some may resent the commute, they could want to return to the office but in a more flexible capacity, they might want to save financially on their commute and lunches or they may just not want to wear a suit everyday!

There could be simple solutions. Whether it’s financial support for the commute, adjusting dress codes, coming up with a hybrid schedule, addressing health concerns or providing lunches twice a week. There are numerous ways to encourage people back into the workplace – you may just need to be creative!

Google, for example, partnered with Unagi to provide electric scooters for employees returning to the office 3 days a week. PWC on the other hand gave its 22,000 UK staff a £1000 bonus to help with adjusting to returning to the office and agreed on a flexible work model called ‘The Deal’.

Once you have the answers as to why people may not want to return – you can find ways of easing a transition and enhancing employee satisfaction in the process.

Here are 6 ways you can inspire your employees back to face-to-face work:

6 ways to inspire your reluctant employees to return to the office

1) Explain the WHY: Connection, Collaboration and Creativity

Ultimately, some work is just better done face-to-face. The best ideas come from chatting over a coffee in the morning or brainstorming after hearing from someone from a completely different industry.

Human connection, collaboration and sparking creativity are hard to achieve through a screen.

If you explain why your business benefits from working collaboratively in the same room, and the importance of it, employees are much more likely to buy in.

Demonstrate why working face-to-face is an advantage, not just for the organisation, but for the people and individuals within it. You may have other reasons having people in the office benefits your business – whatever they are, communicate them.

2) Use workplace experiences to attract your employees back to the office

According to the Gensler survey, the biggest elements people miss from working in the office are social interaction and impromptu face-to-face meetings. The things you can’t achieve working remotely or from home.

There is a wide range of experiences you could use to make working in the office appealing, even fun:

Brainstorming breakfasts
Old-school after work drinks or happy hours
Guest speakers or company-wide training sessions on-site
Catered lunches with a ban on work-related conversation
Bike repair or maintenance workshops for those that cycle into work
‘Ask the CEO’ events – questions or discussions with the leadership teams in an open setting
Networking events with other companies or organisations
Team-building cooking classes with the option to take the leftovers home for the family

To make these experiences particularly successful, be sure to mix up when they are and how regularly they happen. For example, have a team lunch once a week but company-wide training once a quarter.

3) Provide on-site support for wellbeing

If you’re trying to encourage employees back to the workplace it’s vital to take their wellbeing and concerns into account. Over the pandemic, many employees have become much more astute when it comes to their mental health and wellbeing.

The office can be somewhere that works with wellbeing rather than being seen as something that acts against it.

To support wellbeing and mental health you could:

Provide coaching or mentoring on-site
Choose an office with quiet spaces for reflection
Provide on-site opportunities for professional development
Offer morning meditation or yoga sessions
Animal therapy – Paws in Work bring puppies to your office providing a serotonin boost for your team and valuable socialisation for the puppies!

4) Offer options (within reason!)

It may not be necessary for every employee to be in the office every day. They may prefer a hybrid model of working, mixing 3 or 4 days in the office and the rest of the time remotely. Certain departments may not need to be face-to-face as much as others.

According to the Future of Work Study 2021 by Accenture, a whopping 83% of the 9000 workers asked said a hybrid model would be optimal.

Find out what your workforce needs and wants and come up with a compromise. Make the days in the office a novelty and a welcome relief rather than days to dread. Hybrid working can offer the perfect compromise making all parties happy.

Nicholas Bloom, an economics professor at Stanford University, argued that managers should determine the working from home (WFH) days. His research found that having teams on-site at the same time increases employee satisfaction, reduces bias and improves promotion equity and diversity.

5) Provide a space they want to work in

There are some things an office space provides that working from home or in a café doesn’t, or can’t. If your old office wasn’t providing the optimum office experience, find one that does.

Offices are designed for people to work in and the best offices are designed with wellbeing in the workplace in mind. Find an office that offers everything from ergonomically designed furniture to look after your body and bright open spaces and plants to look after your mind.

beautiful views and comfortable workspaces

Find an office that is clean, spacious, that provides good coffee, has access to healthy food options and offers quiet thinking spaces (not always achievable at home!). Provide an office that offers discounts on gyms or has on-site yoga classes, has fast internet and a reliable support team for if anything goes wrong.

Rather than a private office maybe try a shared workplace with further opportunities for collaboration and networking.

If you need access to quiet spaces, conference rooms, communal areas or even a podcast studio – make sure you’re in a workspace that suits your business needs and the needs of your employees.

If some employees have health or safety concerns, explain the safety measures being taken, Covid-19 policies or explore other factors that could help ease their minds. For example, you could organise extra cleaning of work stations, better ventilation or access to touchless technology.

Whatever amenities are needed to make the job more enjoyable and fruitful for everyone – businesses, employees and leaders alike – find an office that has them.

6) Lead by example

There’s no point trying to encourage employees back to the office if you’re not going to be there yourself. Managers, executives and leaders within the organisation should be present. Again, not necessarily all of the time but at least in a hybrid capacity.

If you want your teams and colleagues to return to the office, create a sense of community and work environment people won’t want to say no to.

What not to do if your employees don’t want to return to the office

Don’t Force People to Come Back to the Office Full Time

The key thing is not to make coming back to the office full time compulsory. The world is much more set up for flexible or hybrid ways of working so take advantage. Shared workspaces provide the perfect hybrid workplace for people and businesses without crippling contracts.

The harder part is on leadership and managers and how they best coordinate and manage hybrid models of work. However, if done well they can create a work-life in the office that people thrive in, simultaneously providing more harmony at home.

Explore your future hybrid workplace

You can contact us via email (chiswick@venturex.uk or whitecity@venturex.uk), via the WhatsApp feature on our website or call us directly on 0203 585 2500.