Coworking Space Near Me: How to Judge One Before You Commit
Searching for “coworking space near me” will usually bring up a map of nearby options, but the map only tells you where each space is. Whether it suits you depends on things you can only check by asking questions and visiting: how easy it is to get to, when you can get in, what kind of desk you will actually have, what the contract says and how the space feels on an ordinary working day.
This guide sets out what to look at before you sign up, so you can compare spaces properly rather than choosing the one that happens to appear first.
How “near me” results work
When you search for coworking near you, Google mostly uses your location at the moment you search to decide which spaces to show. That means a search from your sofa can bring up different results from the same search made at your train station or near a client’s office.
It is worth searching from the places that matter to your working week, or adding the area name to your search, so you see every realistic option. Look beyond the first three map listings too, as they are ranked partly on distance and are not necessarily the best fit for how you work. Recent reviews and photos uploaded by members tend to give a more accurate picture than a space’s own marketing images.
Start with the journey, not the distance
The most useful measure of a nearby coworking space is how long it takes to get there from your door, not how far away it is on a map. A space two miles away on a direct train line can be quicker to reach than one a mile away that needs two buses.
Before you shortlist anywhere, check:
- The journey at the time you would actually travel. A route that works at 11am can look very different at 8.30am.
- More than one way of getting there. If your main line has a bad day, a second station or bus route nearby makes a real difference.
- The walk from the station. A space that looks close to a station can still involve a long or awkward walk.
- Getting to clients and meetings. If you regularly travel on to other parts of London, good connections from the workspace matter as much as the journey from home.
If your main reason for coworking is to stop commuting into central London, a space in your own neighbourhood can give you a professional place to work while keeping travel time short.
Check access hours and how you get in
Opening hours vary a great deal between coworking spaces, and they often differ by membership type. Some spaces are staffed during office hours only, while others give certain members access in the evenings or at weekends.
Ask exactly when you can use the space on your plan, whether access is by key fob, app or reception, and whether guests can be signed in. If you work early, late or at weekends, confirm this in writing rather than assuming it.
Understand the different desk options
The main types of space you will be offered are hot desks, dedicated desks and private offices, and the right choice depends on how often you will be there and how much privacy you need.
A hot desk lets you use any available desk in the shared area, which suits people who come in a few days a week or like some variety. A dedicated desk is reserved for you, so you can leave a monitor and paperwork in place. A private office gives an individual or team a lockable room of their own, which is usually the better option for confidential calls, regular client visits or a team that needs to work together.
When you search for hot desks near you, ask how busy the shared area gets at peak times. A hot desk is only useful if there is a desk free when you arrive.
Know what is included in the price
Two memberships with a similar monthly price can offer quite different value once you look at what is included. Ask for a clear list covering:
- Wi-Fi, and whether there is a wired connection option
- Meeting room use, and whether it is included, credited or charged separately
- Printing and scanning
- Tea, coffee and kitchen facilities
- Mail handling and use of the address for your business
- Storage, such as lockers or a pedestal
- Guest access and visitor policies
- Phone booths or quiet areas for calls
Extras such as meeting rooms and printing can add noticeably to the monthly cost if they are charged separately, so it helps to estimate how often you will use them.
Read the contract terms carefully
The agreement matters as much as the space itself, particularly if your plans or team size may change. Flexible workspace is often chosen to avoid long leases, so make sure the terms really do give you that flexibility.
Before signing, check:
- The minimum term, and whether you can start on a rolling monthly basis
- The notice period needed to leave or change plan
- Any deposit, and the conditions for getting it back
- How price changes are handled and how much notice you will receive
- Whether you can move between plans, such as from a hot desk to a private office as your business grows
If anything in the agreement is unclear, ask for it to be explained before you commit.
What to look at on a tour
A tour is the best chance to judge whether you could work productively in a space every day. Try to visit at the time you would normally be working, rather than at a quiet moment the space has chosen for you.
While you are there, pay attention to:
- Noise levels in the shared area, and where people go to make calls
- Wi-Fi speed, which you can test on your phone during the visit
- Natural light, heating and ventilation, which affect comfort far more over a full day than design details
- Chairs and desk space, especially if you will be working there for long stretches
- Meeting rooms, how they are booked and how far in advance they tend to be reserved
- Kitchen and break areas, and whether there is somewhere to step away from your desk
- Cleanliness, including toilets and shared kitchens
- The other members, and whether the mix of businesses and freelancers feels like a good fit for you
- Accessibility, including step-free access if you or your visitors need it
It also helps to talk to the people who run the space. How they answer your questions is a good indication of how issues will be handled once you are a member.
Ask whether you can try it first
Some coworking spaces offer trial days or day passes, which let you work a normal day before committing to a membership. If one is available, use it on a day with calls, focused work and perhaps a meeting, so you can see how the space handles each.
Finding coworking space in West Hampstead
Apex is a coworking space at 160 West End Lane in West Hampstead, close to the area’s Jubilee line, Thameslink and Overground stations. It offers hot desks and monthly memberships, private offices and meeting rooms for freelancers and small businesses in West Hampstead, Kilburn, Hampstead, Brondesbury and the surrounding area who want a professional place to work without a long commute.
Members can also use the Apex Lounge to make a coffee and take a break from their desk without leaving the building.
Arrange a visit to Apex to see the space for yourself, or enquire about coworking memberships, private offices and meeting rooms in West Hampstead.
