Check out our London office price heat map

To help you through the jungle of London’s business locations and prices, we’ve put together a heat map, based on statistics collected by us in 2013.

The heat map shows a spectrum of colours in different areas of Central London, demonstrating which areas are the most sought after right now and which are the best value.

There are also many areas within the centre which are currently receiving significant investment for regeneration, such as Aldgate, so it’s worth researching the area before you commit so you find the best rate and most ideal space for your business to thrive.

With price, comes influence and we’ve put together a little information about the top five spots in which to secure a property at the moment in the English capital.

Knightsbridge sits to the west of London, just below Hyde Park. Home to the Royal Albert Hall and surrounded by some of the world’s most affluent districts, this area is very attractive to businesses. Corporations in this area include finance, restaurant and luxury retail brands, such as Harrods Bank, so you’ll be in the best location for high-end networking.

St James' is lucky to boast royal neighbours with its location close to Buckingham Palace and Westminster. With a prestigious address, the area is HQ to massive, international companies, such as BP. With great transport links and located so close to major London landmarks, this is a location businesses would and should boast loudly about.

Mayfair’s reputation precedes it, as the most well-known district in London’s W1 postcode. With an ideal position for entertaining clients, businesses who have taken up residence in the area include the United States embassy and the Canadian High Commission.

Piccadilly is located in the heart of London’s West End, close to other esteemed areas such as Mayfair and St James'. Residents of the area work in sectors such as energy, global retail and arts, such as BAFTA, and the area has a long history of class, having the Ritz also located there.

Westminster has been the home to the British Government since around 1200, which offers benefits in location for firms dealing with Government or legal issues. In a great location in the centre of London, Westminster has high networking opportunities because of the amount of businesses in such a small area, and has attracted businesses such as the HQ for Pret-a-Manger and the BBC.

For a spot which places you in the centre of the capital but gives you the best value deal on your lease, take a look at our top five spots below.

Putney sits in South West London and is a busy residential and business area, as well as offering lots of greenery, natural woodlands and waterways, from which the area has grown a reputation as a centre for rowing. Present residents of the area include Sir Richard Branson, Simon Le Bon and JP Morgan.

Fulham is recognised for its Premiership football teams which reside in the area, Fulham and Chelsea. After that, it’s a sought after area due to its proximity to clients and networking opportunities, being just a bridge away from central London areas. The area itself offers beautiful parks, good educational institutions and access to high end retail outlets and eateries.

Islington has a rich history and is home to the Emerites Stadium, home to Arsenal FC, making it a highly recognisable area of London. But it has now also gained recognition as a desirable business area, with parts such as Angel, within it, now one of London’s business development districts.

Chelsea is an affluent area, surrounded by equally wealthy districts. With well-known addresses, such as Sloane Square and Chelsea Embankment in the area, Chelsea offers great dining, shopping and business opportunities and a reputable postcode for your business.

Old Street is our highest value area, and a perfect area for start-ups, boasting fantastic networking opportunities. A Government-funded investment scheme has been giving subsidy to the up-and-coming Tech City in recent years and companies who have moved into the area include Google, Facebook, Intel and Cisco.

We hope that the heat map and our brief area overviews will help you choose your business' next location, giving you a better understanding of price, popularity and position of the location within the centre of the capital.

With both our heat map and a selection of London, New York and UK city area guides coming soon, stay tuned to the Search Office Space blog.