Explore Old Street: History, Architecture, Business and Tourism

Posted on

As its name suggests, Old Street has been a highly transited road for centuries. The first records date from the thirteenth century, when Old Street was part of a Roman road that linked the settlements of Silchester, near Basingstoke, and Colchester. As London evolved into an important metropolis, Old Street became one of the capital’s main thoroughfares. The western side of the street was widened towards the end of the nineteenth century in order to accommodate the increasing amount of traffic and the shops that began to appear in the area.


(Image © Jonathan Brennan)

Old Street’s Silicon Roundabout

Until very recently, the roundabout that marks the intersection of Old Street and City Road had mostly been known for being the location of the St Agnes Well shopping centre. From the beginning of the 2000s onwards, there has been a drastic change in the type of businesses that can be found in the area. In fact, the Old Street roundabout is now known as the Silicon Roundabout, in allusion to the California-based technology centre. This part of Old Street is now a first class technological hub that started with 15 companies in 2008 and has grown to be the base of more than 200 firms by 2011. This is the result of a government initiative that has invested several millions of pounds in transforming this East London area into a premier business address. Continue reading “Explore Old Street: History, Architecture, Business and Tourism” →

Guide to Regent Street: Key Facts, History, Architecture and Tourism

Posted on

Located in the trendy West End of London and being over a mile long, Regent Street is one of the most popular thoroughfares in the British capital. Regent Street has been an important landmark since its creation in 1825. The street was designed by architect Josh Nash, who was also the mind behind other impressive buildings like Buckingham Palace or the Royal Pavillion in Brighton.

London's Regent Street @officeinlondon

Currently, Regent Street is a protected conservation area and part of the Crown Estate, as every single building along its length is listed.

Regent Street: a premier destination for business and shopping

Although very close to the shopping mecca of Oxford Street, Regent Street is a shopping destination in its own right. It is estimated that the street is visited by more than 7.5 million people every year for purposes as diverse as business, shopping, and entertainment. There are 1.5 million square feet dedicated to retail space in Regent Street, as well as 1 million square feet of premium office space. Some prestigious tenants include international retail brands like Burberry, Apple, Hamleys, Ted Baker, Ferrari, Timberland, Levi’s, GAP, Armani, Benetton, Lacoste, Hamleys, and Godiva. Liberty of London, located a couple of minutes away from Oxford Circus station, is one of the capital’s leading department stores, and has the added interest of being housed in a charming Tudor style building. Continue reading “Guide to Regent Street: Key Facts, History, Architecture and Tourism” →

Guide to Broad Street: History, Architecture, Business and Tourism

Posted on

The Broad Street area is located in the heart of London’s financial district and is comprised of two separate streets. Old Broad Street runs from Threadneedle Street to Wormwood Street, while New Broad Street is a narrow passageway just north of the London Wall. Broad Street was one of London’s medieval wards, covering an area that roughly corresponds to the modern EC2 postcode.


(Image © Ian Press)

Today, the ward still exists as such, and it has preserved the four liveries (trade associations) that historically made up the Broad Street ward. These liveries include the Company of International Bankers, the Company of Furniture Makers, the Carpenters’ Company, and the Drapers’ Company. These associations have evolved from medieval guilds that had strong links with religious institutions to becoming organisations of international standing that abide by the principles of modern business practices.

Famous Buildings in Broad Street

Tower 42, which was previously known as the NatWest tower, occupies a prominent position at number 25 Old Broad Street. The tower was built in the early 1980s, when it became the first skyscraper to oversee the City of London. At 600 feet high, Tower 42 is London’s seventh highest building. The building has 42 floors, which are mainly devoted to premium office space, with some of its main tenants being Daewoo Securities, Hong Kong Airlines, Regus Office Solutions, Samsung, Piraeus Bank, CSJ Capital Partners, and Boston Technologies. Continue reading “Guide to Broad Street: History, Architecture, Business and Tourism” →

Explore Goodge Street: Key Facts, History, Architecture and Tourism

Posted on

Historically, Goodge Street was a shopping quarter. It is centrally located to a number of London’s landmarks and attractions, including the University of London to the east, Regent’s Park to the northwest, the British Museum to the southeast, and the shopping district along the world famous Oxford Street to the south.


(Image © Terry Moran)

About Goodge Street

Goodge Street is located in Central London’s Fitzrovia neighbourhood, a traditionally bohemian area that has been home to various authors and poets, including Virginia Woolf, George Bernard Shaw and Arthur Rimbaud. English composer Thomas Linley lived at Number 40 on Goodge Street between 1793 and 1788. Today, the area includes a mix of residential and commercial properties, including a variety of business.

Goodge Street is bound by Tottenham Court Road to the west. To the east, Goodge Street emerges as Mortimer Street following the junction with Newman Street. The street forms part of the A5204 road and is within the London Borough of Camden. The road stretches under half a quarter of a mile in length and features a mix of uses, including residential, offices, retail and grocery shops, pubs, and restaurants.

History

Many of Goodge Street’s original buildings have been demolished or destroyed during the Second World War, with few original buildings remaining. The area near Goodge Street once belonged to the Dean and Chapter of St. Paul’s Cathedral and a 13th century manor house was once found nearby, towards the north-west near Tottenham Court Road and Oxford Street. The area that encompasses Goodge Street was known as Totten, Totham and Totting Hall during the 15th century. To the north of Goodge Street was the 18th century manor estate of the Duke of Grafton and the FitzRoys, which now sits near present-day Fitzroy Square. Continue reading “Explore Goodge Street: Key Facts, History, Architecture and Tourism” →

Guide to Baker Street: History, Architecture, Business and Tourism

Posted on

Stretching along more than 1.5 miles, Baker Street runs from Marylebone to Oxford Street, and is one of the main arteries in this area of London. Like other neighbouring streets, Baker Street was first laid out under its current name during the eighteenth century. The street received its name from the builder who laid it out.

In the beginning, Baker Street was mostly a residential area for affluent families. However, as London grew in size, population, and economic importance, the street welcomed new tenants and transformed some of its residential buildings into office space and commercial premises.

Famous buildings

Perhaps the most well known building in Baker Street is number 221B, otherwise known as Sherlock Holmes’ residence. In fact, the address does not exist, although the Sherlock Holmes Museum is located on numbers 237-241. The Abbey House, home to the Abbey National Building Society between 1932 and 2005, and located on numbers 219-229 of Baker Street, received for many years correspondence addressed to Mr Sherlock Holmes. Continue reading “Guide to Baker Street: History, Architecture, Business and Tourism” →

Explore Great Portland Street: Key Facts, History, Architecture and Tourism

Posted on

With its elegant mixture of Edwardian and Victorian buildings, Great Portland Street is one of the W1 postcode’s richest places of character. The first mention of this street dates back to 1726, when it was known as John Street. A few years later, the expansion of the estate owned by the Dukes of Portland brought a change in the street’s name, which then became known as Portland Road. Towards the end of the 18th century, the street layout was pretty much identical to the one we see today, with large period buildings lining each side of the street.


(Image © Tony Day)

Towards the beginning of the 19th century, Portland Road became an important residential and commercial hub. Great Portland Street received its name in 1870. By that time, the street was known to be home to many restaurants, shops, massage parlours, and antique shops. In the early twentieth century, Great Portland Street was dubbed “Motor Row” due to the number of companies in the automobile sector that chose the street as their base. Benz Motors, Jaguar, Austin, and Vauxhall were some of the most important firms that were represented in the showrooms that lined Great Portland Street at the turn of the century. The textile sector was also very important until the 1970s, and for decades Great Portland Street was the place to go for those who wanted good quality garments made to order.

Important and notable buildings

In an effort to preserve the historic and architectural value of the street, the local authority has designated Great Portland Street as part of the Harley and East Marylebone conservation areas. Great Portland Street is home to four Grade 2 listed buildings: the Great Portland Street tube station and the structures on numbers 78/80, 94, and 126. Interesting Edwardian buildings can be seen on numbers 160-180, 226, and 229. Continue reading “Explore Great Portland Street: Key Facts, History, Architecture and Tourism” →

Tips for Office Moves in London

Posted on

Moving office can be both equally exciting and daunting a prospect. Moving within the London area can also provide equal benefits, through lots of choice and removal options, and disadvantages such as traffic, parking restrictions and the general business found in the capital. Your office move will certainly disrupt your usual business for the duration and this can easily result in negative impacts. In order to limit the negative effects associated with the big move, here are some tips for office moves in London.

Planning

Planning is the most important part of this process and understanding its importance could make or break the success of the move. Communication is perhaps the most important so plan to have your phone line and Internet in place before the move. There could be nothing worse than having a delay on your line connection and being un contactable for longer than you need. During the move, forward phones to mobiles and look into mobile email access. Having a set layout of the new office will speed things up at the final stop. Based on this plan, make sure you have considered power points, network cables etc. Use the opportunity of the move to rid yourself of unnecessary clutter that as built up in the office place and ensure staff do the same. Continue reading “Tips for Office Moves in London” →

Tips on how to save money when working in London

Posted on

London is a busy, bustling hub full of opportunities and can be a great place to live and work but, like many capital cities, the cost of living can be very high. However, with a little ingenuity and creativity, it is possible to save money, try something new and even stumble across some hidden gems you might not otherwise discover.

Travelling around:

The Oyster Card makes travelling by tube and bus a little easier and cheaper; the savings on single journeys compared to buying a ticket on the day range from 50p to £3; what’s more, if you make a number of journeys by bus and tube throughout the day, the fee is automatically capped at the maximum day rate.

Once you are in central London, it is surprisingly easy to get around on foot, it may be possible to avoid using multiple modes of transport by heading to a tube station relatively near your destination and walking the rest of the route. This way you become familiarised with your surroundings, get some exercise, save money and do something positive for the environment.

Looking good:

London is a stylish city but it is possible to look chic without breaking the bank. Search charity and thrift shops for designer garments including office wear in perfectly good condition at a fraction of the retail price; look out for sample sales held by many high-end stores, most are announced online through social networking sites and fashion blogs; visit Camden or Spitalfields markets for unique outfits and have a go at bartering for an even better price.

Look out for salons seeking hair models; trainee stylists offer free haircuts and colour in exchange for the practise, they are always observed closely by senior staff there is usually very little chance of a disaster.

Eating and drinking:

By far the best way to save money on a working lunch is to bring you own. Prepare a sandwich or salad or even leftovers from last night’s dinner, it works out cheaper and usually healthier.

Alternatively, buy lunch from the supermarket, many offer meal deals and reward points schemes. For coffee, avoid the large chains and try out the numerous independently owned coffee shops, they are cheaper, you will be supporting small businesses and often the coffee is excellent. Continue reading “Tips on how to save money when working in London” →

The Changing Landscape of the Docklands Area

Posted on

The landscape of the London Docklands as we see it today is aesthetically very different to how it appeared as recently as thirty years ago. The area referred to as the London Docklands stretches from London Bridge for thirteen miles east along the River Thames, incorporating the London boroughs of Tower Hamlets, Greenwich, Lewisham, Newham and Southwark. When the Georgian docks began to open at the start of the 19th Century, they operated under the Port Of London Authority and ultimately formed the world’s largest port. The surrounding areas were populated by the families of those who worked on the docks and in related industries such as factories and warehouses; the docks were closed in 1980. Continue reading “The Changing Landscape of the Docklands Area” →

Tips for London Start Ups

Posted on

New business start ups are not only important to drive the economy but also to create new ideas and companies of the future. With London being the driving business capital of the UK, London start ups are of keen interest to many investors and business communities. If you have an exciting, innovative and sustainable business idea, now is a great time to push forward with it. Below are some tips and links on how to begin with your London start up.

Business Plan

Once you have your idea, be sure to create a solid and professional business plan. The importance of this cannot be underestimated as the plan will ensure you have focus on your objectives and how you will reach them as well as being crucial in obtaining funding and investment from external sources. Make sure you highlight your target audience and how you will market and promote your product or service to them. Sale projections are crucial to understand the business potential and will be expected by investors. Continue reading “Tips for London Start Ups” →