Small Meeting Rooms for Hire in London

As a bustling metropolis, London is a hub for businesses of all types. This city presents numerous opportunities and offers some of the best small meeting rooms in the UK. With six international airports, it's no wonder that countless individuals opt for London as their meeting destination. Amid the wealth of choices for renting meeting rooms by the hour,  meeting spaces in Central London and affordable meeting spaces in South London, finding the ideal one for your event needs may seem daunting. However, we've compiled some helpful tips to assist you in your search.

How to make the most of your small meeting venue?

Before you search for the perfect venue, plan your meeting carefully. Think about why you're holding it and the goal of the conference. Are you planning on working on a problem? Or are you having a brainstorming or training session? Setting your target will make planning and preparing the best ways to achieve it easier.

When you know the purpose of the meeting, you will then know who to invite. Since you're organising a smaller meeting within a limited space, send out your invitations only to those colleagues who need to be there. Deciding who should come will also make your search for a venue easier, as you can look among spaces that fit everyone attending.

Once you know who you will invite and what you want to achieve during the meeting, write out an agenda so everyone participating knows what you are planning to work on. Writing this out beforehand will also show you whether what you have planned is achievable within the scheduled time. Perhaps you will need to plan another meeting or reevaluate what you have planned for it.

Before extending any invitations, consider whether there are any prerequisites for participants to prepare for your small meeting in London. Share any documents or compile a checklist of items you'd like your attendees to have on hand for the gathering. Include these along with the agenda. Additionally, inquire about any expectations or topics they'd like to explore during this small event space interaction. Ask about the attendees' dietary restrictions if you plan to serve a meal.

Searching for the perfect small conference room

Once you've sorted all these points, it's time to look for a meeting venue that will cater to your needs. The setting of the meeting space may influence its outcome, especially if it's a first-time encounter. If you're a start-up company meeting with new investors for the first time, a meeting room will look more professional than your home office or a restaurant. It will allow for more private conversations than a hotel lobby or a cafe. If you're planning for a relaxed-style get-together, a room filled with desks and chairs will not help, so it's better to look for something with a more casual setup. Whatever room you're looking for, here are some points to remember when choosing your small meeting space:

Size. We already know you are looking for small meeting rooms. But be careful not to choose one that is way too small. You want your guests and yourself to feel comfortable. Remember that each person perceives personal space differently, so make sure it will not be overcrowded once you get there.

Location. Look for a place that will be most suitable for your guests. If the participants are arriving at one of the many airports in London, look for rooms that are either near the airport or near the tube station so they can easily access them. Consider meeting rooms in Central London for easy access and venues in South London for more affordable options. If you decide to go for an informal meeting space in London, we recommend choosing one that is still conveniently located.

Table or desks. Depending on the type of meeting you're holding, you will need a different setup. If you're planning a training session, look for a meeting venue with a table big enough for everyone to sit comfortably but that won't take up the whole space. If you're planning for a more relaxed discussion, one-on-one session, or an interview, perhaps an office desk or table is not the best idea, as it creates a barrier between people. Look for a private meeting space that offers a coffee table, or ask the venue manager if they could supply the room with such a stand.

Chairs. No matter how long the meeting will take, pay attention to the chairs the room provides. You want the participants to be comfortable and focus on the meeting, not finding the best position to sit. If you plan for a more relaxed meeting or even a brainstorming session, look for small meeting room rentals that offer low chairs or sofas, providing a more comfortable atmosphere.

Equipment. Depending on what you will need for your event, look for meeting spaces equipped with the necessary technology and tools. If you're planning on bringing your own equipment, especially the kind that may take up space, make sure you will be able to fit it in the venue.

Refreshments area. It's important to provide your guests with at least tea or coffee, but preferably some snacks as well. A small room may not have enough space for such an area, so look for a private meeting venue that offers a breakout room or a kitchenette for your guests. If you would like to have a meal together with the attendees, look for a venue near the restaurant district or venues that offer in-house catering.

Operating hours. Suppose you're planning for a meeting that will take place during regular business hours. In that case, there's no need to double-check the operating time. But if you're planning on connecting with overseas partners or you know your discussion may take longer, check the venue's operating hours. Check for any additional fees for overstaying your hire, so if the need arises, you can prolong the meeting. Plus, hiring fees for meeting venues during off-hours may also come lower.

Lighting is crucial to any meeting space. The best light for productivity is white, but if you're planning for a more relaxed or personal meeting, white light isn't a must. However, looking for meeting rooms that offer natural lighting in London is good, especially during the colder months. If you will use screens or do presentations, look for venues that provide blinds or curtains to control the lighting.

Air conditioning or windows. Make sure the meeting room you rent has proper ventilation, as workflow is better in a well-aired room. Look for spaces where you can open the windows to let fresh air in or ones that offer air conditioning.

Internet access. Wi-Fi is an important element that can make or break your meeting. Make sure there are no disturbances when using it or if you need to bring your own hotspot. It's essential if people will connect with you virtually or if you plan to use any online resources.

Area. Before you make the final decision on the meeting room:

1. Search the area around it.
2. See if there might be any sources of loud noises, like an airport or fire station nearby.
3. When picking your event space, focus on quiet meeting rooms. If you are planning a meeting near the airport, you may want to check if the room is soundproof.
4. If your guests are arriving by car, make sure the meeting location can be found on GPS and that there's a parking lot where they can leave their vehicles. If you would like your meeting to continue in a less professional setting, see if there are any restaurants or pubs nearby where you could invite your guests afterwards.

Décor. As for the décor of the meeting venue, we suggest looking for a professional and straightforward setup or a lovely backdrop if you plan to take pictures. Look for spaces that will enhance the message you want to convey during your meeting. Room colours and decorations may also aid the productivity and focus of the attendees.

To make your search easier, look through our list of suggested small meeting rooms:

• The Worker's League - a modern venue offering light-filled coworking spaces and private offices. Located minutes from Old Street Station and Liverpool Street, with all the equipment necessary for sessions and conference calls, it's a great small space to host your meeting. Available kitchen facilities and breakout spaces provide a worry-free working venue.
• Paddington Works - innovative spaces designed to enhance the workflow. Multiply working and meeting rooms will enable you to choose what you need for your meeting. Equipped with state-of-the-art technology, Paddington Works enables worry-free face-to-face meetings and virtual discussions. Located 7 minutes away from the Paddington Station, the venue is easily accessible.
• Sutherland Labs - located in the heart of Covent Garden in a redesigned warehouse, it's a venue that inspires creativity. With the newest technology available at the venue, all in-person and virtual meetings can be carried out easily. Modular furniture allows for any setting that will accommodate the meeting.
• St Martin room at French Protestant Church of London - Plan your small conference at this venue in Soho, which is highly rated by our users for its communication and location. The room can fit up to 40 individuals and features air conditioning and super-fast WiFi. It is available for hire for £250 per hour.
• Yellow Room at Remark! Events - If convenience and a central location are important for your business, hire this room in London's EC1 district, just a few minutes walk from Chancery Lane. The historical building has been given a modern refresh, giving the space an exciting look and feel. It is available for £125 per hour.

What to do after the meeting ends?

The meeting doesn't end when the last guest leaves the door. Do a follow-up. Send an email where you summarise the meeting and send the notes or presentations used during it. If any decisions have been made during the discussion, include them in the email to ensure they are straightforward to everyone who attended. If you're planning for the next meet-up, add the details as well. In a follow-up, you may want to ask for feedback to better prepare for your next meetings. Remember to thank everyone for attending the conference.