Old Street operates as London's unofficial tech HQ, with venues specifically designed for the startup lifecycle. Techspace runs three separate buildings here, each configured for different growth stages, while Huckletree Shoreditch in the Alphabeta Building hosts a dedicated auditorium for pitch events. The concentration creates a network effect: your morning coffee at Fora's Albert House might lead to a chance encounter with your next investor. Unlike Soho's media focus or the City's corporate feel, Old Street coworking spaces build in features like podcast rooms, prototype workshops and 24/7 access as standard.
Your Old Street coworking budget depends entirely on your working style. Work.Life offers unlimited coworking from £220 monthly, while premium spaces like Fora's Black & White Building start at £875 per person. Most operators cluster around £300-£450 for dedicated desks, with day passes typically £25-£45. The sweet spot? Venues like The Brew on Eagle House combine character with value at £314 monthly, while The Trampery's dedicated desks at £450 include access to their wider network. Factor in that many spaces include free meeting room credits, saving you £30-£50 per hour on client meetings.
Meeting room provision varies dramatically across Old Street's coworking landscape. Runway East gives members free access to 20 meeting rooms, from phone booths to 16-person boardrooms. Fora's Albert House packs 10 meeting spaces into its converted warehouse, while Beyond at The Bower offers nine high-spec rooms with Old Street Tower views. For occasional users, WeWork's pay-per-use model at 1 Mark Square works well, though members at smaller operators like The Workers' League get free meeting room access that would cost £36+ hourly elsewhere.
Day pass availability transformed Old Street into London's most flexible coworking district. WeWork's network offers passes from £45 daily, while Huckletree provides access from £35. Several operators run trial programmes: Work.Life's Flex membership bundles multiple day passes, and Spaces on City Road sells passes through Zipcube at £30. The Brew and smaller independents often accommodate walk-ins, though booking ahead secures better rates. Consider that five day passes typically equal a month's hot-desking membership, making regular day-pass use an expensive habit.
Old Street station's Northern Line connection puts most coworking spaces within a 3-minute walk, with venues like Fora's White Collar Factory and Beyond at The Bower less than 60 seconds from the exit. The area's transport advantage extends beyond the obvious: Moorgate's Elizabeth Line sits 5-7 minutes from most venues, while Liverpool Street's everything-goes-everywhere hub is 8-10 minutes away. Shoreditch High Street's Overground adds East London connectivity. Even better, the flat topography and wide pavements make the area genuinely cyclable, with most venues offering secure bike storage and showers.
Tech startups gravitate to specific Old Street venues for good reason. Techspace's three locations explicitly target product and engineering teams, with Worship Street adding a dedicated podcast room for content creators. Runway East cultivates an accelerator atmosphere with regular demo days and investor meetups, while Huckletree Shoreditch connects founders through curated events. For earlier-stage teams, The Trampery's £450 dedicated desks include discounted meeting rooms and a strong sustainability focus that resonates with impact-driven founders. WeWork's scale suits rapidly growing teams needing to flex up quickly.
Independent operators thrive alongside Old Street's corporate names. The Workers' League on Bonhill Street maintains a deliberately indie vibe with garden space and free meeting rooms from £199 monthly. The Brew operates two nearby sites, converting a 1920s dance hall into characterful workspace with game rooms and on-site cafes. The Trampery, one of London's original coworking pioneers, keeps its Old Street hub deliberately mid-sized to preserve community feel. These smaller operators often provide more flexibility on contracts and create tighter member communities than their multi-national neighbours.
Old Street coworking amenities go well beyond desk-and-WiFi basics. Fora's White Collar Factory features that famous rooftop running track, while Albert House includes a speakeasy-style lounge and screening room. Standard provisions across most venues include barista coffee (not just machine), shower facilities, bike storage and phone booths. Higher-end spaces add wellness rooms, gyms and event spaces. Techspace sites include podcast studios, WeWork provides wellness rooms, and Huckletree offers a dedicated wellness studio. Even budget options like The Brew include free tea/coffee and access to their network-wide facilities.
The major chains each bring different strengths to Old Street. WeWork's two buildings offer maximum flexibility with their All Access Plus from £329 monthly, ideal if you work across London. Spaces (IWG) provides more affordable options from £188 monthly with a professional atmosphere. Fora operates five locations within walking distance, creating a micro-network with premium amenities and from £575 for private offices. Consider your priorities: WeWork for network scale, Spaces for value, Fora for premium experience, or Regus for pure convenience with multiple nearby centres and day office options from £119.
Each Old Street venue cultivates its own distinct community personality. Huckletree actively curates its member mix, hosting regular demo days and founder dinners in their Alphabeta auditorium. Runway East feels like a permanent hackathon with its startup-heavy membership and late-night coding sessions. The Trampery attracts impact-focused businesses aligned with their B Corp values, while Mindspace on Appold Street draws a more corporate crowd from nearby Liverpool Street. Smaller spaces like The Workers' League create village-like atmospheres where everyone knows everyone. The beauty of Old Street? You can venue-hop until you find your tribe.