Looking for the ideal location to set up or grow your business? Basingstoke deserves to be high on your list. This enterprising and well-connected Hampshire town offers everything your business needs: a prime location without London prices, excellent transport links, a thriving and supportive business community, great office facilities and a highly skilled workforce.
The town has developed into a key regional business centre, with companies ranging from tech startups to global giants like Sony, Barclays, and Fujitsu choosing to make Basingstoke their home. The local infrastructure supports businesses at every stage of their journey, from start-ups to established firms.
In this blog, we'll give you even more reasons why Basingstoke is such a great place to base your business. If you're already sold on moving here, we welcome you to visit one of our two prime Basingstoke offices. Make an appointment by contacting us today.
1. A growing economy
Basingstoke has emerged as a key player in the South East economy, with thriving sectors such as technology, communications, engineering, electronics, and insurance. According to figures from Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, the town was home to 7,315 active businesses in 2022, generating around 85,000 jobs and contributing £8.03 billion in Gross Value Added (GVA) to the UK economy. This impressive post-pandemic recovery reflected a 14% increase on the previous year - well above the national and regional average growth of 9%.
2. Prime location without the London prices
Easy access to London doesn’t have to mean paying London rates. Basingstoke is an ideal out of city business hub with all the benefits of the city but without the cost pressures of being within the M25. Located just off the M3, Basingstoke has direct rail connections to London Waterloo in under an hour.
Basingstoke is also very well connected across the South. Reading is just 17 miles away, with journey times of around 16 minutes by train. Southampton can be reached in just over half an hour, Oxford in under an hour, and Heathrow Airport in just 40 minutes by road. For businesses that need to be mobile, it’s an ideal base.
3. Affordable, flexible workspaces
Companies based in Basingstoke can enjoy lower commercial rents than in the city, without compromising on access to clients, partners or suppliers.
Whether you're a solo founder, a growing startup or an established business, Basingstoke offers a wide range of affordable and flexible workspace options to suit your needs. From hot-desking in coworking hubs to fully serviced offices with all the extras, there’s something here for every stage of your business journey, including micro businesses and entrepreneurs just starting out.
The town’s business parks and commercial centres offer competitive rents, generous space, and scalable lease terms, giving you room to grow without overstretching your budget. Basing View, in particular, is quickly becoming a go-to destination for ambitious businesses. The 65-acre mixed-use business park is in the midst of a £500m regeneration project, transforming it into a modern, sustainable commercial hub with high-spec office space, improved transport links, green infrastructure, and amenities designed to attract forward-thinking businesses and top-tier talent.
At Arena Offices, we’re proud to offer two premium workspaces right in the heart of Basing View: The Square and Grosvenor House. Both locations provide contemporary, fully serviced offices with flexible terms, breakout areas, meeting rooms, and superfast connectivity. Whether you need three desks or two floors, we have everything you need to grow your business in style.
4. Thriving business community
Basingstoke's business community is collaborative with a can-do attitude. There are plenty of local networking groups, business forums and events, offering countless opportunities to seek support, get involved and make valuable connections.
You’ll find everything from informal coffee mornings to structured events hosted by Hampshire Chamber of Commerce, including Chamber Connects and Get Connected at Metro Bank. Groups like Enterprise Connexions (ECX) also hold fortnightly peer-to-peer networking sessions, making it easy to plug into the local business ecosystem. See lovebasingstoke.co.uk for a great roundup of the latest groups and events.
5. A prosperous, dynamic population
The Basingstoke and Deane region is home to a growing population. Here are some key facts and figures:
- According to the 2021 Census, the borough's population increased by 10.3% over the past decade, rising from approximately 167,800 in 2011 to around 185,200 in 2021.
- The average age is 40, slightly younger than the South East average of 41, creating a mix of youthful energy and experience in the business scene.
- The area has a robust labour market, with an 81.7% employment rate in December 2023, higher than the South East average of 79.3%.
- Basingstoke is also relatively affluent, with a significant proportion of households owning their homes. Thanks to its status as a commuter town, there is also a dynamic private rental market.
- The percentage of residents reporting "very good" health increased to 49.0% in 2021, up from 47.8% in 2011, suggesting a community that values well-being .
Source: ONS
For employers and business owners, this means access to a prosperous, engaged and diverse population. Whether you’re recruiting, selling, or building a brand, Basingstoke offers the ideal opportunity to reach your target audience.
6. Skilled workforce
Basingstoke draws on a highly skilled talent pool, with strong links to local colleges, universities, and training providers. The town’s workforce includes specialists in digital, engineering, life sciences, finance, and creative industries, making it a good place to find talent that can support your company’s growth.
There are plenty of local training resources to help your team develop. SEEDL offers unlimited online courses in everything from customer service to software training, while BCoT’s Aspiral Learning provides accredited distance learning in key areas like HR and business administration.
As more professionals move out of London in search of better work-life balance, towns like Basingstoke become increasingly attractive for both employers and employees. Businesses based here have access to bright, motivated people who want to build their future in a well-connected, welcoming location.
7. Supportive business environment
Local authorities and organisations in Basingstoke are known for their proactive approach to supporting businesses. Whether you're launching a new company or relocating an established one, you can expect practical support, access to funding opportunities, and help navigating local planning and development processes.
Support extends well beyond the basics. Initiatives like the Green Team are on hand to help businesses become more sustainable, while the Hampshire Growth Hub and Enterprise M3 provide strategic advice and mentoring to support business growth and innovation. There’s a genuine sense that the community here wants your business to thrive.
Basing View itself is fast becoming a hub for tech and innovation, having ranked among the top four UK locations for scale-up tech investment between 2015 and 2018. If you’re looking for an address with serious business credentials, this is it.
8. Quality of life
Basingstoke offers the perfect place to work hard and live well. The town offers a great quality of life, from the shops and restaurants at Festival Place, the relaxing green spaces of Eastrop Park, to the nearby Hampshire countryside for weekend escapes. It’s a town where wellbeing and productivity go hand in hand – and where your team will enjoy coming to work.
Read our article on things we love about Basingstoke.
Ready to explore serviced office space in Basingstoke?
If you’re searching for high-end offices in a prime Basingstoke location, Arena Offices has you covered. Our two sites – The Square and Grosvenor House – are both located in the heart of Basing View, offering premium workspace with flexible terms, superfast connectivity, meeting rooms, breakout areas, and everything your team needs to thrive.
You’ll be just minutes from the town centre, Festival Place shops, and the peaceful surroundings of Eastrop Park – the perfect mix of productivity and wellbeing. Whether you're a solo founder or a growing business looking for a professional base, you'll find the right fit at Arena.
We'd love to show you around. Contact us today and make an appointment.
Frequently asked questions about starting a business in Basingstoke
What are the transport links like within Basingstoke itself?
Basingstoke is compact, easy to navigate and well served by public transport. The town has reliable local bus services, a mainline rail station, and good road access. Cycling and walking routes connect key locations, including Basing View, the town centre and Eastrop Park.
How long does it take to get to London from Basingstoke by train?
Direct trains from Basingstoke to London Waterloo run regularly throughout the day and take as little as 45 minutes. This makes daily commuting and quick client visits entirely feasible for companies doing business in the capital.
Is it easy to recruit skilled staff in Basingstoke?
Yes. Basingstoke benefits from a diverse, educated workforce and a steady flow of talent from surrounding areas. The town’s excellent amenities, central location, and career opportunities make it an appealing place to live and work – helping companies attract and retain top people.
Is Basingstoke a good place to live?
Basingstoke is a genuinely great place to live. It’s big enough to have everything you need - shops, restaurants, parks, great schools, and brilliant transport links - but still feels community-minded and easy to get around.
You’ve got beautiful countryside on your doorstep and lots of opportunities to live well, whether you're raising a family, building a career, or looking for a better work-life balance.