Commercial Property to Rent in Southwark
Southwark sits at the heart of London, and our railway arches put your business right in the middle of it. From London Bridge to Bermondsey, we have flexible commercial spaces that work for growing businesses, not just big corporates.
Most of our Southwark arches rent for between £15,000 and £160,000 per year. Flexible lease terms are offered for long-term commercial space, ideal for businesses ready to grow.
Why Rent a Railway Arch in Southwark?
Southwark is one of London's most commercially active boroughs. It combines the energy of a creative and food-led economy with strong industrial roots and excellent connections into the City and West End.
The borough spans several distinct business neighbourhoods, and that variety is one of its biggest strengths for SMEs.
Why Rent with The Arch Company?
We manage more commercial space for small and medium-sized businesses than anyone else in the UK. Our portfolio covers 5,300 properties and 24.8 million sq ft including a significant number of arches across Southwark and the wider London network.
That scale means we understand what SMEs actually need from a business space provider. Not just a set of keys but a space that supports how your business works day to day.
We know Southwark
With arches across London Bridge, Bermondsey, Elephant and Castle, and beyond, we understand the local market. We can help you think through which sub-area fits your business model, team commute, and customer base.
Flexible terms for growing businesses
We know that SMEs cannot always predict what the next two years will look like. Our lease terms are designed to give you stability without locking you into commitments that no longer fit.
Good value rents
A central London address does not have to mean corporate-level costs. Our rents are competitive, and we are straightforward about what you will pay — so you can plan with confidence.
A business space provider that supports your growth
We've been working with businesses in Southwark for years. We know which spaces suit which businesses, and we'll help you find the right fit as your needs change.
5,300+ properties across the UK
24.8m sq ft of commercial space managed
UK's largest provider of commercial space for SMEs
What Can You Use Our Southwark Arches For?
Our arches are used by a wide range of businesses. Here are the most common uses and why Southwark works well for each of them.
Retail
High footfall areas like London Bridge and Borough make our arches a practical choice for independent retailers. Ground-floor access, visible frontage, and proximity to busy commuter and tourist routes all help bring customers through the door.
We have seen independent fashion, homeware, and specialist retailers build a loyal local following from a Southwark arch.
Food and Drink
Southwark has one of London's strongest food and drink cultures. From Borough Market to the Bermondsey Beer Mile, the borough has a genuine appetite for independent producers, bars, cafés, and restaurants.
Our arches are well-suited to food businesses being robust structures, good ventilation potential, and locations where food and drink businesses are already thriving.
Light Industrial and Workshop
If you need practical space for making, storing, or servicing, our arches deliver. High ceilings, solid construction, and ground-floor access make them well-suited to fabricators, mechanics, printers, and other trades.
Areas like Elephant and Castle offer good value for businesses that need working space without paying for location prestige they do not need.
See our storage, industrial, warehouse and workshop spaces
Studio and Office
Creative agencies, designers, photographers, and consultants have found a home in our Southwark arches. The character of an arch, combined with a central London postcode, makes for a working environment that impresses clients and attracts talent.
We can help you find a space that works as an office, a studio, or a combination of both.
Businesses Already Thriving in Our Southwark Arches
Southwark's railway arches have become home to some of London's most interesting independent businesses. Here is a snapshot of what is possible.
Get in touch with our property experts
Whether you’ve already found a space you love or want to explore your options, our expert team is here to help.
Featured Properties
74 Enid Street & 756-757 Abbey Street , London, SE16 3RA
£5,170 Per Month
Flexible Use | 3820 sq ft
LBG11241 (ref code)
Browse available properties in Commercial Property to Rent in Southwark
“There are real infrastructure benefits to being under the arches, the open space allows us to carry out certain activities safely and we can now offer services to customers that we couldn't before. We need a lot of space to meet demand, which we can now do from the arches."
Georgio, City Manager at Zoomo - Southwark
Transport Links in Southwark
One of Southwark's strongest advantages for SMEs is how easy it is to get to, and how easy it makes it for your customers, clients, and team to reach you.
Rail and Underground
- London Bridge - National Rail and Jubilee and Northern lines. One of London's busiest stations, with direct connections across the capital and into the Home Counties.
- Borough - Northern line, a short walk from London Bridge.
- Southwark - Jubilee line, close to Waterloo and the South Bank.
- Elephant and Castle - Bakerloo and Northern lines, plus National Rail. A key interchange for south London.
- Bermondsey - Jubilee line, with fast connections to Canary Wharf and the West End.
Road Access
Southwark is well-served by major arterial routes, including the A2, A3, and A200. For businesses that rely on deliveries, collections, or van-based operations, road access across the borough is practical and manageable.
Cycling
Southwark has an extensive cycling network, including several Santander Cycle docking stations and dedicated lanes. For businesses whose team cycles in, it is a genuinely cycle-friendly part of London.
FAQs About Railway Arches in Southwark
How much does it cost to rent commercial property in Southwark?
The price per sq. ft. that you’ll pay for a rental property in Southwark depends on a number of factors including location, finish/fit out, and intended usage of the premises. If you’re just looking for a guide, you can expect to pay between £1,300 and £13,000 month, or equivalent £15,000 and £160,000 per annum for a railway arch space in Southwark.
What businesses can operate from a railway arch in Southwark?
A wide range. Our Southwark arches are used by food and drink businesses, independent retailers, creative studios, light industrial operators, mechanics, personal trainers, and professional services firms, among others.
The right arch for your business depends on your use case, the planning use class, and your operational needs. We can help you work through what will and will not work before you commit to a viewing.
What sizes of arch are available in Southwark?
Our arches range from compact units suited to a small team or sole trader, through to larger spaces that can accommodate workshops, production areas, or growing teams. We will always try to match you with a space that fits where your business is now — not just where you hope to be in five years.
How flexible are the lease terms?
All our Southwark arches are available on a flexible lease with a six-month break option that rolls from day one. That means you get the stability of a professional tenancy agreement without being locked in long-term and if your needs change after six months, you can act on it.
We also offer deposit payments by instalments, so you're not hit with a large upfront cost before you've even opened the door.
How quickly can I move into a Southwark arch?
That depends on the specific property and your requirements. Some of our spaces are ready to occupy quickly. Others may need some preparation. We will give you a realistic timeline when you enquire.
Do the railway units in Southwark receive good footfall?
With local landmarks like many of London’s iconic bridges, skyscrapers like The Shard, as well as historic monuments like the Globe Theatre, Southwark Cathedral, and Crossbones Graveyard, there are plenty of tourists and visitors to London in Southwark, particularly in the north of the borough. Areas a little further to the south like Peckham and Camberwell are heavily residential, with thousands of London residents heading to and from work each day.
Is Southwark a safe place to work and start a business?
Southwark is generally a very safe area, with many thriving commercial businesses operating within the area. If you’re considering opening a business premises in Southwark, you needn’t be worried about your safety as Southwark boasts a very average crime rate - that is to say, not much different from the UK average. We would always recommend securing your unit and employing CCTV and other basic security measures where possible, but crime and general safety shouldn’t dissuade you from a commercial property in south London.
Ready to Find Your Space in Southwark?
Whether you are looking for your first commercial space or moving to a better location, we can help you find a Southwark arch that fits your business.
Tell us what you need; size, location preference, budget, and when you are looking to move and we will come back to you with relevant options.
Speak to our team about your requirements and we'll let you know what's available and what would suit your business.
Useful information
Take a look at our guide explaining how our lettings process works and the important steps you need to take in becoming a customer with us.
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