The main short term office leasing options in the West End are serviced offices, managed offices, coworking memberships, short conventional leases and subleases or assignments of another company’s space. Terms range from a single month to around three years.
The main areas of the West End include Soho, Piccadilly Circus, Tottenham Court Road and Leicester Square. See our list of offices to rent in the West End.
Serviced and coworking space offers the most flexibility at the highest cost per desk, whilst short leases and sublets can deliver better value if you can commit for a year or more.
West End Offices With Short Leases Currently Available From Pilcher London
8 Tottenham Mews, London, W1T 4AE
Size: 2014 sq ft Description: This architecturally designed freehold was developed by the current owner occupiers to an extremely high quality throughout. The current works on the Mews are due to finish Q4 2026 which will widen the pavements and add cycle parking. Location: The building is situated on a quiet mews which sits between
7 + 13 Hatton Street, London, NW8 8PL
Size: 5928 sq ft Description: Hatton Street Studios was originally built in the 1920`s as a joinery + furniture factory Location: Hatton Street Studios is located in the heart of Lisson Grove which is bordered on the North by St Johns Wood, on the East by Regents Parks , on the South by Marylebone +
22A Arlington Way, London, EC1R 1UY
Size: 1952 sq ft Description: 22a Arlington Way is a self-contained office unit in the heart of Angel, with its own private entrance and courtyard. Extending to 1,952 sq ft over ground and first floors, the space is offered on a fully fitted basis and provides 24 desks, a full kitchen, air conditioning, underfloor heating
1A Tower Street, London, WC2H 9NP
Size: 7,766 sq ft Description: Positioned in the heart of Covent Garden at the junction of Tower Street and Earlham Street, Seven Dials Playhouse presents a rare opportunity to secure a leisure and entertainment venue within one of the West End’s most vibrant and high-footfall destinations. Located moments from Seven Dials and Shaftesbury Avenue, the
Short Term Offices in The West End Options at a Glance
| Option | Typical Term | How It Is Priced | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coworking membership | Monthly, rolling | Per desk or per person | Freelancers and very small teams |
| Serviced office | 1–24 months | All-inclusive, per desk per month | Fast moves and uncertain headcount |
| Managed office | 12–36 months | All-inclusive, per desk or per sq ft | Teams wanting their own branded space |
| Short conventional lease | 1–3 years | Rent per sq ft plus costs | Cost-conscious teams with some certainty |
| Sublease or assignment | Remaining term of the existing lease | Rent per sq ft, often discounted | Value seekers who can move quickly |
How Do Serviced and Managed Offices Compare in The West End?
Serviced offices are ready to use from day one, with furniture, internet, cleaning, reception and meeting rooms all included in one monthly fee. In prime West End locations, prices commonly run from around £750 to £1,500 or more per desk per month, depending on the building and address.
Managed offices sit between serviced space and a traditional lease. A provider fits out and runs a self-contained office for you, often to your own branding, on a term of one to three years. You get privacy and identity without managing the building yourself.
If you want a turnkey option, browse our fully furnished offices for spaces that are ready to move into.
Can You Get a Short Conventional Lease in The West End?
Yes, you can get a short conventional lease in the West End, and landlords have become more willing to offer one to three year terms, particularly on smaller or older buildings. You pay rent per square foot plus service charge, business rates and utilities, which is often cheaper overall than serviced space for a stable team.
Most short leases are contracted out of the security of tenure provisions of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954. That means you will not have an automatic right to renew when the term ends, so you need to plan your next move well in advance.
Landlords also increasingly offer fitted, “plug and play” floors on short leases. These combine the lower cost of a lease with the convenience of space that is already furnished and cabled.
Short and long term office leasing strategy is one of Pilcher London’s core services. Because we work closely with West End landlords, we often hear about buildings willing to offer shorter terms, or fitted floors coming back to the market, before they are widely advertised. We can also negotiate break clauses and flexible terms into a conventional lease, giving you much of the freedom of serviced space at a lower overall cost.
Can I Get Subleases and Assignments in The West End?
Subleases and assignments in the West End let you take over space from a company that no longer needs it. With a sublease, you rent from the existing tenant. With an assignment, the lease itself is transferred to you for its remaining term.
These can be some of the best-value options in the West End, as outgoing tenants are often keen to reduce their liability and may leave a fit-out behind. The landlord’s consent is usually required. For a fuller explanation, see can I sublet my office space.
Which West End Areas Have the Most Short Term Options?
The West End areas with the most short term options are Soho, Fitzrovia, Mayfair, Marylebone and Covent Garden.
- Soho: Plenty of small, characterful floors and a strong supply of serviced space aimed at creative businesses.
- Fitzrovia: A wide mix of managed offices and short leases, often at lower rents than Mayfair.
- Mayfair: High-end serviced offices for finance, investment and private clients.
- Marylebone: Boutique serviced and managed buildings in a quieter village setting.
- Covent Garden: Good flexible supply and excellent transport links.
Pilcher London is based at 10 Golden Square in the heart of Soho, so the West End is our home market. Our team knows its buildings street by street, from small Georgian floors to large refurbished offices. Through our tenant representation service, we can compare serviced, managed, short lease and sublet options side by side, showing you the true cost of each over the period you need. Call us on 020 7399 8600 to discuss what is available now.
What Are the Pros and Cons of Short Term Leasing in The West End?
The main advantage of short term leasing in The West End is flexibility. You can scale up or down, avoid large upfront fit-out costs and keep your options open. The main disadvantage is cost, as flexibility comes at a premium, especially in serviced space.
Other trade-offs include less control over the space, fewer opportunities to customise it and the risk of having to move again sooner than you would like. Comparing the total cost of each option over the period you actually need is the best way to decide.
Final Thoughts
The West End offers more short term office options than ever, from monthly serviced desks to fitted short leases and discounted sublets. The right choice depends on your team size, budget and how much certainty you have about the next few years.
Contact us for expert advice on short term office options across the West End.
