In recent years, the quality of serviced offices in London has improved significantly. Alongside this positive development, there has been an increasing appreciation of the economic contribution of the group Richard Florida has described as ‘the creative class.’ Firms which employ individuals that can be categorised in this way may do well to locate in areas which possess impressive cultural amenities.

The concept of the creative class has been attacked by some academic critics. Admittedly it may be a little imprecise, but the term is arguably a useful way of referring to individuals who work in the creative industries. Furthermore, using the term for convenience does not mean that any particular set of urban policies are endorsed.

Retention of high quality employees is important in the creative industries. The creative class typically appreciate vibrant urban environments. As a multicultural city, London is ideal in this regard. Creative industries can sometimes benefit substantially from cultural heterogeneity. They may not fare as well in the provincial towns of northern England, for example, as they typically have the potential to do in London. Innovative ideas can flow where diverse cultures meet.

In the national and international context, London is a significant centre for the creative industries. Firms of various sizes can benefit from clustering together. Networking opportunities are enhanced when firms in the same sector locate in close proximity to one another. Serviced offices around West End cultural provision can be a flexible solution for dynamic firms looking to progress in this exciting sector.