There is so much to figure out after relocating to a new country; where to live, how to commute, the best places to get food and, if you work remotely, where to go to get some work done.
London is exciting for Africans moving to the United Kingdom. It is a global hub for technology, finance, business and culture, and there are plenty of opportunities to meet people from all over the world.
If you work remotely, freelance or own a business, you may spend more time at home than intended. That’s where co-working spaces come in.
The right workspace is somewhere comfortable and reliable to work, that allows you to explore a new part of London, meet new people and build your network.
If you are new to London, and looking for the perfect place to work, here are five workspaces worth considering:
Drop-In
The simplicity and intentionality at Drop-In is what makes it stand out.
Nearly every desk has a monitor, allowing customers to connect their devices and enjoy the comfort of working with a wider screen. They also have soundproof booths which are useful for recording voiceovers, or really confidential work calls.
With branches in Clapton, Richmond, and Wandsworth, Drop-In offers a day pass for £40 alongside three tiers of membership, starting at £180 monthly. Regardless of your membership tier, you get 20% off coffee from their in-house cafe.
And if you prefer matcha, they have it too.
Arc
If you want to work somewhere hospitable, head over to any Arc outlets in Stratford, Tottenham, Earlsfield, or Walthamstow.
Arc is divided into two halves; an area has meeting rooms suitable for small to medium sized teams, while the other area has desks with monitors to allow customers to plug in and work with larger screens.
Both halves are serene.
Built to cater to everyone who walks in through its doors, Arc offers complimentary coffee and lattes, as well as a kitchen that’s accessible to all.
So if you need to heat up your lunch, or want to make your coffee how you like it, worry not.
The day pass at Arc is priced at £30, but their day pack bundle goes for £130/5 day passes and is a crowd favorite.
There is also a special £10 day pass for full-time students, NHS staff, social workers, and other eligible persons.
Gecko Coffeehouse
From the outside looking in, Gecko Coffeehouse in Shoreditch looks like your average cafe selling yummy treats. But what most people do not know is that it has a cozy, dimly lit workspace underground.
The intimate space has tables and chairs that can sit medium-sized groups, fast wifi, charging extensions, and a free water station. If you make friends fast, it will happen here.
Gecko does not charge a fee to work in the space, however, everyone is expected to buy a meal or drink from the cafe. The good news is their menu is inexpensive, and students get a 10% discount on their order.
If you are unsure what to order while you work, you can’t go wrong with their sausage sandwich.
Enish Soho Edition
Enish is one of the most popular places to get Nigerian food in London. Now, they have put an interesting spin on their Soho outlet with a fine dining adjacent underground co-working space.
The co-working space mimics a cave, with lots of dimly lit sections that are perfect for locking in and doing deep focus work, or virtual and in-person meetings. It opens at 1:00 pm, and costs £15. The wifi is great, and the unlimited coffee is delicious.
The menu for the space is simple and inexpensive so don’t worry about splurging. So if your goal is to work, have some jollof rice with fanta, and relax, this is where you need to be.
The Counter
On the days you want to work from somewhere gorgeous in Central London but your budget is lean, go to The Counter.
Their two locations in Central London are designed with vibrant colors and art that might remind you of the early 2000s and make you a little nostalgic. In addition to the co-working tables, chairs, and call booths, they have comfortable high desks too.
The Counter is particularly great because access to the space costs £15, and the cost of any snack or drink bought from their cafe is deducted from the £15!
It’s Time to Leave Your House
The focal advantage of working remotely is that you are not bound to the same desk every day. When you are new to a city as big as London, that flexibility is useful.
Changing your workspace from time to time gives you a break from your routine, puts you in new neighborhoods, and allows you to meet people you typically would not encounter.
As an African building a career in the UK, that is valuable because building a life is just as important.
So decide on a part of London to explore, choose a workspace and see where the day brings. You might have a productive work day, discover something new and enjoyable, and make a new friend while at it.
If you know a great workspace in London that did not make our list, share your recommendation and tell us why you like it in the comments.