Why Watford? Or better, why not?
When you think of best-in-class office space – with top of the range sustainability credentials and amenities for employees including an on-site café, gym, yoga studio and events spaces – you probably think of the City of London, King’s Cross or another part of the capital.
And, often, you would be right to do so. But exactly that kind of space is coming to Watford in the form of The Clarendon Works, our Grade A highly sustainable office space in a prime location on Clarendon Road.
The building is being built to a central London specification, raising the bar for office provision outside of the centre of the city. But why should you consider moving your business to Watford?
Well, because this leafy suburban town on London’s outskirts has a lot going for it – here are some of our favourite things…
Only 15 minutes to central London
Watford is only a short hop from central London. With 155 trains per day from London Euston – which is easily accessible by nearly every London Underground line as well as the Elizabeth line (via Tottenham Court Road) and national and international rail – a train to Watford Junction will take you just 15 minutes. That’s a little bit less than the Elizabeth line journey from Canary Wharf to Paddington (19 minutes) or around the same time as the ride from King’s Cross to London Bridge.
Watford Junction is within Transport for London’s Oyster network, making it a seamless journey from anywhere within the M25. At the same time, Watford Junction serves as a hub across the south west and west of England, meaning anyone travelling into the city will have a much easier route each morning. Luton, Heathrow and Stansted airports are all within an hour’s drive, while the M1 and M25 motorways are a snappy 10 minutes away.
A great location at a great price
At The Clarendon Works, businesses will make their home in a high-quality central London-specification office, but without central London prices. In King’s Cross, rents for the same type of space are approaching £80 per sq ft. In Watford, the record rent is just £45 per sq ft.
What’s not to like about that? Both for your business and for your employees’ quality of living, whether going for after-work drinks on the high street or if they live there, Watford can be a lot more affordable.
Good neighbours can become good friends
As well as the much friendlier affordability, Watford is also home to some household names.
Ralph Lauren, Asos, TK Maxx, Hilton Worldwide, Nissan, KPMG, PWC – these aren’t just brands that have their head or a large office in Watford: these are brands that have spaces almost next door to The Clarendon Works. In short, in Watford, you are in good company.
And there is much more to come…
Over the next 10 years, Watford will benefit from a £1.5 billion regeneration programme, including a new Town Hall Quarter, improved infrastructure, £10 million improvement works on Clarendon Road, thousands of new jobs and thousands of new homes (which, unlike in central London, will be affordable for employees).
…which is sensible, because Watford’s great!
Watford boasts exceptional work-life balance, with a little bit of something for everyone.
Restaurants that you’d struggle to find outside central London – from Barracuda and Roti Pan Kitchen to Cote Brasserie and Wagamama – are right on your doorstep. You can then treat yourself to a night of comedy or drama at Watford Palace Theatre, football at Vicarage Road Stadium, or a stroll in one of Watford’s first-class green spaces (three of which were voted by members of the public among the UK’s top ten parks).
So why Watford? Because when you stack up the pros and cons list, for Watford and anywhere else you’re considering leasing office space, you’ll find there’s really no contest.
Ralph Lauren, Asos, TK Maxx, Hilton Worldwide, Nissan, KPMG, PWC – these aren’t just brands that have their head or a large office in Watford: these are brands that have spaces almost next door to The Clarendon Works.
