In this edition of Why We Love, we’ll be taking a look at Canary Wharf, one of London’s major business and financial districts, located in Tower Hamlets.
Local businesses we’ve interviewed:
Newland Chase is an award winning immigration consultancy based in Canary Wharf. Their services range from helping individuals with UK immigration requirements, to managing the mobile workforce of multi-national organisations. They moved to Canary Wharf ten years ago.
IQ Financial Markets form part of the InterQuest Group, a specialist recruitment service provider. They work with insurance, retail and investment banks, as well as capital and asset management institutions. IQ Financial Markets moved into Canary Wharf in January 2011.
Digital Shadows is a cyber threat intelligence company that protects organisations from data loss and targeted cyber attack. They moved to Canary Wharf in January 2013, since they won a place on the FinTech Innovation Lab based in Level39, One Canada Square.
Pirean is a security software and consultancy partner that enable organisations to provide secure, people-focused access for employees, customers and partners across on-premise and cloud-based applications. They moved into Canary Wharf in the summer of 2013.
Tom’s Kitchen is a modern British brasserie which features a 130 seater restaurant, bar and deli. They are located in Westferry Circus, and moved into Canary Wharf in June 2013.
Please note that opinions given reflect those of the individual contributor, and not the company as a whole.
Why do you love Canary Wharf?
Newland Chase: “It offers great amenities for our employees as well as a range of bars and restaurants for entertaining clients. There is something for every level of employee here, from a Boot’s Meal Deal for lunch to champagne and oysters in the evening.”
IQ Financial Markets: “The area is a bustling local business hub. There is a real energy about the place from 8:00am to 6:00pm when business is being done. Thereafter you can take time to enjoy a well earned drink in one of the many bars and restaurants. Again, you can be in the City within 15 minutes, which is a huge bonus for a hard working recruiter!”
Digital Shadows: “On a commercial level, it provides a great platform for us to do business with many tier-1 financial institutions on our doorstep. From a personal point of view the shops, bars and restaurants make it a vibrant, fun place after hours for our team.”
Pirean: “Apart from the business reasons, it is a beautiful area and commuting by the riverside (through the Docklands Light Rail) is very pleasant as well.”
Tom’s Kitchen: “It’s an area that’s constantly developing and there are always new restaurants and stores opening up.”
What makes the Canary Wharf area unique from other business centres in the UK and around the world?
Newland Chase: “If the weather is nice, Canary Wharf has a number of parks and squares where you can sit out and enjoy the sun. If the weather is not so great, then you can arrive at work, eat out for lunch, do some shopping after work and then head home, all without the need for going outside, thanks to the huge shopping mall we have underground.”
IQ Financial Markets: “Canary Wharf is a world leading financial hub. There is a feeling that everybody here is contributing in their own way to systems, trades, deals etc that affect the world on a large scale and in a far more direct way than other business hubs do. It can be busy and bustling one minute, then quiet and calm the next.”
Digital Shadows: “The proximity to decision makers in the financial sector coupled with the proximity to a city like London is hard to compete with for any other business centre worldwide.”
Pirean: “The main difference would have to be its FinTech scene. Being located in the docklands also gives a cooler and more serene edge.”
Tom’s Kitchen: “With its weekly events programmes, shops, restaurants, offices and residences, Canary Wharf has a diverse mix of people, and offers a real sense of community. What many people don’t realise is that on weekends, Canary Wharf becomes a great spot for families, with its numerous parks and seasonal events. It appeals to everyone, not just those coming to work in the area.”
Has the district helped your business grow in any way? If so, how?
Newland Chase: “As our company grew, it was important to ensure a strong corporate image. Canary Wharf instils that image and is an impressive location for clients to visit.”
IQ Financial Markets: “Having our offices located within Canary Wharf has had a huge impact on both our brand and our service provision. Our brand has benefited from the prestigious surroundings and modern architecture that can be found here in Canary Wharf. Both our current and prospective clients automatically feel comfortable dealing with us, knowing that we are located in the one of the global business hubs.
Our service provision, which includes the supply of contract and permanent staff within niche focused financial disciplines, has also benefited immensely. This is due to the proximity of our offices to our key clients and our core candidate base. We are a stone’s throw away from the head quarters of many FTSE 100 companies and a 15 minute journey to the City of London. We are able to invite our clients and candidates to meetings at very short notice; this of course assists us in building solid relationships with our business contacts.”
Digital Shadows: “Canary Wharf and Level39 at One Canada Square in particular have been great for our business. It’s provided an excellent location for access to our financial services clients and a credible address for our business.”
Pirean: “We work with a fair amount of financial services companies, and being involved with the FinTech community is important for us as well. Being based out of Canary Wharf has definitely helped us grow not only our business but also to get local talent on board.”
Tom’s Kitchen: “Yes, particularly with regards to our deli. Tom’s Kitchen Deli experiences constant demand Monday to Friday with many office workers visiting for coffee, lunch or snacks to take back to their desks. There is always a large volume of people around Canary Wharf, visiting for both work and leisure.”
What are the challenges of operating a business in Canary Wharf?
Newland Chase: “I think there is a perception that Canary Wharf is a little out of the way, maybe with the postcode being E14, when in fact we are only 10 minutes from the City on the DLR and 15 minutes from Central London on the Jubilee Line.”
IQ Financial Markets: “None that I can think of!”
Digital Shadows: “There have been no major challenges for us in operating in Canary Wharf – it’s a world class location for a cyber security business such as ours.”
Pirean: “Canary Wharf might be a bit far-off to some people as it is not Central London. It is an expensive area and there are a fair amount of limitations as to what can be done with the offices.
Tom’s Kitchen: “It’s always a challenge outside of typical working hours in an area like Canary Wharf. As a hospitality business in the area, you have to understand that many people are busy and lack time. It’s crucial to ensure our food and drink is served quickly yet to an extremely high standard.”
Where do you go for your morning coffee?
Newland Chase: “We’re lucky that Starbuck’s have recently installed the UK’s first Starbucks vending machine on our floor so we can just grab coffee when we arrive at the office.”
IQ Financial Markets: “Café Nero.”
Digital Shadows: “I’m a tea drinker but our team tends to use the iPad-controlled coffee machine on Level39 in One Canada Square rather than venture further afield.”
Pirean: “Morning coffees are in-house, we take that time to catch up with the team in a more informal manner.”
Do you know of a hidden gem for business lunches?
Newland Chase: “The Pearson Room has great views and a very tasty menu so always impressive for business lunches.”
IQ Financial Markets: “Plateau. (Not hidden, but a great place!)”
Digital Shadows: “We generally go for more dinners and we found a great curry house a short walk from OCS, but I wouldn’t want to disclose the location and spoil it!”
Pirean: “It might not be that hidden, but The Parlour terrace can be quite nice.”
Tom’s Kitchen: “One Canada Square, Roka and of course Tom’s Kitchen!”
Where is your favourite spot for a drink after work?
Newland Chase: “Ibérica has an outside bar over the spring and summer called Ibérica La Terraza, which is a great place for a drink after work as it feels like somewhere in Madrid rather than London. The Cava Sangría is a favourite of our office.”
IQ Financial Markets: “Boisdale.”
Digital Shadows: “Tough call, but our favourite is probably the Henry Addington pub near the waterfront.”
Pirean: “I would have to say The Parlour, in One Canada Square. It is a company favourite.”
A big thank you to the businesses who took the time to answer our questions. If you’re looking for office space in Canary Wharf, don’t hesitate to contact us.