Phone booth and breakout space
Serviced offices provide a range of dynamic spaces for your team

What is a Serviced Office?

Astrid Milne

6th March 2025

What is a Serviced Office?

In the bustling world of business, flexibility is key. Enter the serviced office—your company's new best friend. Imagine a workspace that's fully furnished, brimming with amenities, and ready for action from day one. No fuss, no faff—just a seamless experience designed to let you focus on what you do best.

Serviced Office Definition

A serviced office is a fully equipped workspace managed by a professional provider. These spaces come complete with desks, chairs, high-speed internet, and a host of other perks. The best part? They're available on flexible terms, so you can scale up or down as your business evolves.

What is Included in a Serviced Office?

When you opt for a serviced office, you're not just getting a desk—you're gaining access to a suite of services designed to make your work life easier (Disclaimer this might not be the case for all serviced office providers, but it certainly is here at Runway East!):

Fully Furnished Spaces: Stylish desks, ergonomic chairs, and storage solutions.

High-Speed Internet: Reliable connectivity to keep your operations running nice and smooth.

Front Desk Services: Professional staff to greet your guests, handle mail and give you hot tips on the best local lunch spots.

Meeting Rooms: Bookable meeting rooms, varying from 121 spaces to boardrooms sized, equipped with the latest tech for hybrid teams and for those big presentations.

Breakout Spaces: Comfortable lounges for informal meetings or a well-deserved break.

Kitchen Facilities: Stocked with free tea, coffee, and essentials to keep you fuelled.

Cleaning and Maintenance: Regular upkeep to ensure a pristine working environment (no more fights about who unstacked the dishwasher wrong).

Security: 24/7 access control and surveillance for peace of mind.

On Site Events: Monthly events organised by the onsite team, perfect for team bonding or meeting other members.

Showers and Bike Storage: Ride to work and don’t stink out the office, use the complimentary showers!

Access to Other Sites: In another city one day? Pop in and work from a site owned by your serviced office provider! 

One Monthly Bill: All this, business rates and utilities, all wrapped into one tidy monthly bill. 

Enjoy a range of breakout spaces and meeting rooms at a serviced office.

Serviced Offices vs Managed Offices

It's easy to mix up serviced offices and managed offices, but there are some key differences:

Setup Time: 

Serviced Office: Move-in ready—just bring your laptop.

Managed Office: Requires setup and customisation before you can start working.

Services Included:

Serviced Office: All-inclusive: utilities, cleaning, internet, and more.

Managed Office: Basic services; additional amenities may come at an extra cost.

Flexibility:

Serviced Office: Short-term, flexible leases to suit your needs.

Managed Office: Longer-term contracts with less room for adjustment.

Control:

Serviced Office: Provider manages the space and services.

Managed Office: More control over the space, but with added responsibility for management.

How Do Serviced Offices Work?

Serviced offices are designed for simplicity. Choose a space that fits your team, sign a flexible agreement, and move in. Everything from internet to cleaning is taken care of by the provider, allowing you to focus on your business without the usual hassles of office management.

The Benefits of Serviced Offices

Allowing for Growth and an Agile Approach

Business landscapes change, and so do your needs. Serviced offices offer the flexibility to scale your space up or down, ensuring you're never paying for more than you need.

Ready to Move in Straight Away

Time is money. With serviced offices, there's no waiting around. Walk in, set up your laptop, and you're good to go.

Ease of Market Entry

Expanding to a new city? Serviced offices provide a hassle-free way to establish a presence without long-term commitments or significant upfront costs.

Easy Budgeting and Minimal Overheads

One monthly fee covers it all—rent, utilities, cleaning, and more. This transparency makes budgeting straightforward and eliminates unexpected expenses.

Access to State-of-the-Art Amenities

From high-tech meeting rooms to comfortable breakout areas, serviced offices come equipped with facilities that might otherwise be out of reach for many businesses.

Which Types of Businesses Use Serviced Offices?

Serviced offices are a versatile solution, ideal for:

  • Startups: Offering flexibility and minimal commitment as you grow.

  • SMEs: Providing professional spaces without the overheads of traditional leases.

  • Large Corporations: Perfect for project-based teams or temporary expansions.

  • Freelancers and Remote Workers: Access to professional environments without the distractions of home.

Serviced Office Costs – How Much is Serviced Office Space?

Costs vary based on location, size, and amenities. In major hubs like London or New York, prices might be higher, but the all-inclusive nature often proves cost-effective compared to traditional leases. It's best to contact providers directly for tailored quotes that suit your specific needs.

We’d Love to Hear from You

Ready to elevate your workspace? Get in touch with us today, to chat about if a serviced office is right for you. Chat to our team at membership@runwayea.st

Figuring out what kind office you need can be confusing.

Choosing a new office can be an confusing! Check out our FAQ's!

FAQs: Everything You Need to Know About Serviced Offices

What’s the difference between a serviced office and a coworking space?

While both offer flexible work environments, serviced offices provide private office spaces exclusively for your team with shared common areas such as tea points, breakout spaces and bookable meeting rooms. Coworking spaces involve shared working areas or open planned offices with professionals from various organisations.

Are serviced offices expensive?

While the monthly fee might seem higher than traditional leases, remember it includes utilities, maintenance, someone to manage your space and team events, and amenities, often making it a cost-effective solution overall.

Do I need to sign a long-term contract?

Not at all. Serviced offices are known for their flexible, short-term agreements, allowing you to adapt as your business needs change. 

Who owns and manages serviced offices?

Professional providers like us at Runway East manage these spaces, ensuring everything runs smoothly so you can focus on your work.

Why choose Runway East for a serviced office?

We offer prime locations, top-notch facilities, competitive rates, loads of meeting rooms and a community-driven atmosphere to help your business thrive.

Talk to the Experts

Unsure which office solution fits your needs? Reach out to our team today, and let's find the perfect workspace for you.

Tailored solutions to match your requirements; Get a quote HERE

Call to chat to one of our experts: 0203 1379 953

Curious to take a look? Take a look at our locations and book a tour.

Want to learn more?

Looking for an office in Bermondsey, check out our guide HERE

Thinking about setting up in Bristol or Bath? Take a read HERE

Is Birmingham the Best City for Startups and SMEs? Read about HERE