Portsmouth, located on the south coast of England, is best known around the country for its maritime history and famous docks. What may be less well-known is that it has become a commercial powerhouse in recent years.

This business-friendly city is home to giants like BAE Systems and IBM, as well as a thriving ecosystem of microbusinesses and SMEs. The local economy is diverse and robust too, with key sectors including green tech, healthcare, and marine services.

Let’s take a look at some of the reasons for setting up or moving your business here and some of the available serviced offices in Portsmouth.

9 reasons to rent an office space in Portsmouth

Access to major maritime ports is important for many organisations but it's far from the only reason why you should open an office in Portsmouth.

The local authority in Portsmouth is very pro-business. They are keen to promote innovation in the borough and encourage entrepreneurs to set up and grow in the city.

This supportive ecosystem helps businesses secure funding, hire apprentices, and access training programmes. The council also assists businesses through the Solent Local Enterprise Partnership.

The city has a vibrant and exciting nightlife scene, with many pubs, clubs, and restaurants.

Portsmouth Beach is also a great place to visit, especially in the Southsea area. The famous pier is a favourite with tourists and locals alike, with excellent views across to the Isle of Wight.

Portsmouth is home to many festivals and cultural events. The biggest is the Victorious Festival, held every August. If you like to walk and unwind, you can take advantage of the many green spaces and parks in the city.

You can still see Portsmouth’s rich naval history in its architecture and street layouts.

UNESCO has recognised several Portsmouth sites as being of great importance. One of these is the Historic Dockyard, now a museum. The Dockyard is home to the HMS Victory and the Mary Rose Museum.

Southsea Castle is a must-visit and is home to many of the relics recovered from the Mary Rose. The D-Day Story Museum is also very popular. Visitors here can discover the real story of this monumental time in history together with maps, medals, uniforms, and documents of the era.

Portsmouth has access to a wealth of talent. Successful educational establishments include Portsmouth Grammar School and the City of Portsmouth College.

Residents have many choices open to them for post-school training, too. Highbury College, Portsmouth College, and South Downs College all provide top vocational courses.

The University of Portsmouth is highly rated too. This gives employers access to highly skilled graduates from a top university. According to outcomes data, more than 90% of its former students are in work or further study 15 months after graduating.

The University of Portsmouth is an important player in the growth of the city's economy.

One key department at the university is the renowned Future Technology Centre. Students and researchers can run experiments, debate, and explore technological advancements for society.

This establishment delivers a wide range of free and paid-for services to local businesses too. They provide free job advertising, free accountancy clinics, and a free legal advice clinic. They also offer low-price programs to help you grow your business, access to XR labs, and Knowledge Transfer Partnerships.

As a business destination, Portsmouth is attracting interest and investment from across the UK and around the world.

Portsmouth's Gunwharf Quays is one of the UK's leading premium retail outlets. Since it opened, it has attracted large numbers of businesses and consumers to the city. This success is also inviting further investment to improve the centre. This includes the installation of hundreds of solar panels on the roof.

The city's Lakeside North Harbour business campus is home to several multinational corporations. Here, you’ll find many startups and small businesses growing together.

Portsmouth is a buoyant and expanding economy, and this is largely due to its diversity.

While its maritime sector is still very important, the city has not made the mistake of putting all its economic eggs in one basket. There is a good spread of industries in Portsmouth which means it's not over-reliant on one or two sectors for jobs and growth.

This diverse range of businesses is key to the city's success. There are around 8,000 companies in the city. Two-thirds are microbusinesses, 20% are SMEs, and the rest are large companies.

The council wants to make Portsmouth "Britain's premier waterfront technology and innovation city". The vision is to make Portsmouth "a great place to invest, learn, live, work and visit".

The city’s strategic location is vital for achieving this vision. Portsmouth is an essential connector point within the UK logistics network. It’s one of the best places in the UK for marine and maritime businesses, as well as the import/export sector.

Its location is also a logical choice for UK companies doing business with Europe and vice versa. The ferry services coming into the port also bring millions of pounds of tourist-related spending each year.

The International Ferry at Portsmouth directly serves Spain, France, and the Channel Islands. It's also home to the world's only commercial hovercraft service, providing access to the Isle of Wight within 10 minutes.

The city is well connected by motorways too, with the M27 connecting to London and the South East. Portsmouth also has five railway stations, with direct trains to London via Portsmouth Harbour station.

Southampton Airport is 25 minutes away, offering flights to the Channel Islands, the rest of the UK, and some European destinations.

Portsmouth has a highly diversified economy. But there are some sectors where the city has a particular advantage, including:

● Maritime and defence

● Advanced manufacturing

● Tourism and hospitality

● Aerospace and defence

● Healthcare

● Education and research

● Greentech

● Digital & creative technology

Big businesses with large numbers of employees in Portsmouth include BAE Systems, Amazon, IBM, and Lockheed Martin.

Portsmouth isn't just for larger companies though. Regus provides office space for rent in Portsmouth to both SMEs and international corporations.

We're also the home of many startups in the city, with a wide range of serviced office spaces in Portsmouth enabling you to work your way.

Our office spaces in Portsmouth

The city is booming. To build your business here, consider Regus office space in Portsmouth. Our business centres are modern and well connected, all offering 24-hour access.

Rent flexible office space in Portsmouth in one of the following five Regus centres:

1000 Lakeside Building

1000 Lakeside Building is what’s now become a landmark destination for businesses in the South of England.

The Regus centre here is easy to get to with plenty of parking available, as well as bicycle storage. There are also great public transport links, including a free shuttle to local bus and train stations, as well as the city centre.

The impressive building is the leading office campus on the south coast. When employees, investors, and clients meet you here, the location itself will add to your business credibility. The stand-out visual feature of the building is its striking full-height glass atrium.

The 1000 Lakeside Building has many amenities for convenience and comfort. There’s an on-site lunch restaurant and coffee bar for easy food and drink options.

If you need a few minutes of thinking time, the outside terrace is perfect. For working parents, there’s also an on-site daycare facility.

Based just by the sea, there’s plenty to do in the local area. There is a selection of shops, bars, restaurants, and hotels for entertaining visitors and staff. If you need to take a quick break, visit the tranquil setting of nearby Cosham Park.

Highlights include:

● Fully accessible

● Shower facilities

● Vending machines

Information about the 1000 Lakeside Building:

● Address: Western Road, Portsmouth, Hampshire PO6 3EZ

● Starting costs: Private offices from £189 per person per month

● Opening hours: 24/7 for Private Office and Dedicated Desk members, reception hours for other members

● Nearest station: Donaldson Road (a 15-minute walk), Cosham Train Station (an 11-minute walk)

Aerodrome Road

Located between Gosport and Fareham, Aerodrome Road is in a prime and accessible location.

Its proximity to the A32 Fareham Road makes it easy for you and your staff to get here. This busy area is home to hundreds of companies, offering excellent networking opportunities.

This spacious centre contains a range of office suites, from studios and one to two-person units right up to much larger private offices. You can also choose to work from one of our dedicated desks within our coworking spaces.

Virtual office services are also available, including mail handling and call answering.

You'll appreciate the break-out areas for impromptu meetings and brainstorming sessions here. When clients and investors visit, make an impression with one of the well-appointed meeting rooms.

The centre is also close to Fareham Road and its many shops, bars, and restaurants. The popular Fleetlands Golf Club is a five-minute drive away to if you want to practise your swing.

Highlights include:

● Business-grade WiFi

● Vending machines

● Business lounge

Information about Aerodrome Road:

● Address: Aerodrome Road, Gosport PO13 0FQ

● Starting costs: Private offices from £145 per person per month

● Opening hours: 24/7 for Private Office and Dedicated Desk members, reception hours for other members

● Nearest station: Frater (a two-minute walk away)

Harts Farm Way

Harts Farm Way is an ideal location for businesses that need access to major transport routes including the A27/A3(M) junction at Havant. Companies investing in R&D at Harts Farm Way can also take advantage of additional facilities at Basepoint Innovation Centre.

This compact, friendly centre has everything you need to set up and grow your business. There is also a range of break-out areas and a fully-equipped business lounge.

The centre comprises a wide selection of managed office solutions, as well as virtual office packages.

For corporate hospitality and entertaining, West Street is close by. If you want a few moments out of the office, a short car journey will take you to Broadmarsh Coastal Park.

Highlights include:

● Meeting rooms

● Disabled facilities

● Elevator

Information about Harts Farm Way:

● Address: Harts Farm Way, Havant PO9 1HS

● Starting costs: Private offices from £165 per person per month

● Opening hours: 24/7 for Private Office and Dedicated Desk members, reception hours for other members

● Nearest station: Forty Acres (a 19-minute walk)

Waterbury Drive

Waterbury Drive offers startups and growing businesses a choice of office spaces they can thrive. Close to the amenities of Waterlooville town centre, you can get here quickly via Junction 3 of the A3M. Havant and Portsmouth are both a short drive away.

This attractive and well-appointed centre benefits from striking, minimalist decor. The units are suitable for all types of businesses. If you're looking for a workshop for your company, we have them here too.

Businesses benefit from our high-speed, strong WiFi and digital phone system, keeping them in touch with the outside world. The centre is fully accessible and there's an on-site car park here.

Our centre is in one of the most popular business parks in the area. You’ll find a great selection of shops and eateries close by, as well as a leisure centre.

Highlights include:

● Business lounge

● Break-out areas

● 24-hour CCTV monitoring

Information about Waterbury Drive:

● Address: Waterberry Drive, Waterlooville PO7 7TH

● Starting costs: Private offices from £135 per person per month

● Opening hours: 24/7 for Private Office and Dedicated Desk members, reception hours for other members

● Nearest station: Milton Road Roundabout (a nine-minute walk away)

Solent Business Park

Just a 15-minute drive from the coast and off the M27 motorway is Solent Business Park.

This centre is very well connected, with excellent transport links from across the surrounding area. If you're travelling by car, there's on-site parking here. Southampton Airport is just a 20-minute drive away too.

You and your clients, visitors, and staff will love coming to this modern centre. The tall windows allow natural light to flood into the workspaces creating an open and inspirational place to work.

Some of the South's most talented businesses base themselves here already, so you'll be in excellent company.

The centre has many amenities, including an on-site lunch restaurant, meeting rooms, and bicycle storage. You can book meeting rooms by the hour and continue your conversation with colleagues in several break-out areas.

Close by, there's a popular retail park and the Skylark Golf Club which is ideal for client entertainment. If you want beautiful scenery, the South Downs National Park is a short drive away.

Highlights include:

● Disabled facilities

● Elevator

● Outside Seating Area/Terrace

Information about Solent Business Park:

● Address: 4497 Parkway, Fareham, Hampshire PO15 7AZ

● Starting costs: Private offices from £175

● Opening hours: 24/7 for Private Office and Dedicated Desk members, reception hours for other members

● Nearest station: Solent Business Park (a four-minute walk away)

With offices to rent in Portsmouth currently in great demand, now is the right time to find the ideal base for your business in the city. At Regus, we have a wide selection of private offices, coworking spaces, and workshops in and around Portsmouth.

If you travel frequently and want access to Regus business centres around the world, check out our Day Pass. You can book yourself into any Regus centre for the day via the Regus app.

To find out more about renting offices in Portsmouth with Regus, please get in touch.