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How Much Does It Cost to Rent a Railway Arch?

28 Sept 20265 min readStartups

How Much Does It Cost to Rent a Railway Arch?

Renting a railway arch in the UK typically costs between £2,000 and £2,200 a month (£24,000–£26,400 a year). The exact price depends on the size and use type of the arch, and varies significantly by location. This is the headline rent only - business rates, service charge and insurance are charged separately, which can add a further 40–45% on top.

What other costs are involved when renting a commercial arch?

On top of rent, most business space providers charge three separate costs:

Business rates

The cost of business rates are based on your arch's rateable value. Properties under £12,000 pay nothing, and relief tapers down for those up to £15,000. Above that, rates typically apply in full and you can check gov.uk's small business rate relief guidance to see if you qualify.

Service charge

The service charge covers shared areas: cleaning, security, waste collection and general upkeep of the wider site. This is usually between £90 and £270 a month.

Insurance

For insurance, you'll typically need your own public liability cover (often a minimum of £2 million), separate from the buildings insurance your provider holds on the structure. This usually costs between £20 and £40 a month.

Deposits

Most business space providers ask for a deposit before you move in, typically equivalent to 3 months' rent. This is held for the duration of the lease and covers any damage or unpaid charges when you leave.

Total cost of renting an arch

Together, these usually add around 45% on top of the headline rent so a £2,000/month arch could realistically cost £2,900/month all in. Figures above are shown excluding VAT; VAT may be added at 20% depending on the property and your business's VAT status.

How much does it cost to rent a railway arch in London?

The Arch Company’s own data found that the average rent for a railway arch in London is around £2,700-£2,900 a month (£32,400-£34,800 a year), though this can vary significantly by borough. The table below shows the monthly headline rent for each of our featured London locations, plus an estimate of total cost once business rates, service charge and insurance are added.
LocationMonthly rentTotal cost (all in)
£6,737
£9,769
£5,240
£7,598
£4,427
£6,419
£3,991
£5,786
£3,662
£5,310
Islington
£3,648
£5,289
£3,258
£4,724
£3,061
£4,439
£2,628
£3,811
£2,435
£3,530
£2,305
£3,342
£2,302
£3,338
£2,217
£3,215
£2,210
£3,204
£2,021
£2,930
£2,005
£2,907
Newham
£1,821
£2,640
£1,736
£2,517
£1,588
£2,303
£1,309
£1,899
£1,214
£1,761
Figures exclude VAT. Totals include business rates, service charge and insurance at the average rates set out above.

Where are the best value places to rent a railway arch in London?

Four of the best value locations for renting a railway arch in London are Waltham Forest, around £1,761 a month all in, Brixton, around £1,899 a month all in, Mile End, around £2,303 a month all in, and Camberwell, around £2,517 a month all in. All four sit a little further out from central London, which is generally where the better value arch space is found.

How much does it cost to rent a railway arch in UK cities?

Cost varies significantly by city too, with rent generally highest in London and Manchester and lowest in Newcastle and Liverpool.

How does the cost of renting a railway arch vary by property type?

Property TypeAvg Monthly RentTotal Cost (all in)
Office £4,170£6,047
Industrial £3,560£5,162
Food and Beverage£3,303£4,789
Flexible Use£2,465£3,574
Storage£1,288£1,868
Retail£463£671
Costs also vary by what you use the arch for. Office spaces carry the highest average rent at £4,170 a month, while industrial units average £3,560, offering strong value for larger operational spaces. Food and beverage spaces average £3,303 a month, and flexible use spaces, the most common listing type, average £2,465. Storage spaces are among the most competitively priced at £1,288 a month, and retail units average £463, reflecting their typically smaller size.

Can I reduce the cost of renting an arch?

There are several ways to lower what you pay for a railway arch.
  • Claim Small Business Rate Relief. If your arch has a rateable value under £12,000, you pay no business rates at all, and relief tapers down to zero at £15,000. Check your eligibility on gov.uk's small business rate relief page.
  • Pick a good value location. Rent varies significantly by area, as shown above. Locations like Waltham Forest, Brixton and Mile End offer some of the best value in London, with headline rents from around £1,200 a month.
  • Look at our reduced price commercial spaces. We list a dedicated selection of reduced price units across our portfolio, which can bring the total cost down further.
  • Use your FSB membership discount. Existing customers are eligible for a discounted Federation of Small Businesses membership, giving access to legal, tax and compliance support that would otherwise cost more to arrange separately.

Ready to find your next space?

Browse available railway arches across London and the UK, or get in touch and we'll help you find a unit that fits your budget and business.
Methodology: Figures in this guide are based on Arch Co's internal lease data, covering collected September 2026. Excludes Residential, Community Use, Agricultural, Commercial, Leisure and Car Parking, none of which reflect comparable market rent for a typical arch. Price outliers were also removed. The 45% all-in uplift is calculated from current site listings that quote rent, business rates, service charge and insurance together. Business Rate Relief thresholds follow current gov.uk guidance. All figures exclude VAT unless stated, and represent averages that can vary between individual arches.

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