The beautiful borough of Islington

Peaceful, leafy village streets, a lively art scene and thriving nightlife; with London city centre just a short commute away, it’s no wonder Islington is popular with professionals and businesses. But what is it about Islington that makes it a great place to live.

Consider the history of Islington, growing from small settlement to become a vital source of water and food for the nearby city of London throughout the 18^th century. Regents Canal, close by our own self-storage site, was built in the 1900’s to ferry goods into the city, and remains a beautiful place for locals to walk or as a cyclist route for commuters. And, as a reminder of its agricultural past, Islington still has 39 parks. So, it retains plenty of green areas for locals to relax in the summer.

Islington has a thriving business centre

However, what really puts Islington on the map is its reputation as a supportive space for start-ups. Its proximity to London’s Silicone Roundabout, one of Europe’s leading tech hubs, makes it a cheaper alternative for new business owners who want to be close to the action but not on top of it. This is where such giants as Google and Microsoft have made their home and, in the year pre-Covid, around 18,000 new businesses set up shop.

As Islington has a reputation for the arts, with its leading theatres and galleries, it’s not surprising it attracts a lot of creative business types. Further into the heart of Islington is the Business Design Centre, a place filled with established and new business offices and an ideal location for hosting events and exhibitions. The BDC is right by the Angel Tube Station and Upper Street, Islington’s bustling main shopping street.

A place for young professionals

The Angel, Islington, is possibly one of the most recognised names thanks to a certain boardgame, and it’s certainly worth exploring. First there is the Camden Passage, a fun street packed with boutique stalls, antiques, collectibles and cafes. Then try the Regent’s Canal, ideal for an afternoon stroll, before heading over to the Almeida Theatre or Sadler’s Wells for a show or dancing the night away at the Union Chapel.

There is a choice of markets in Islington too. Exmouth Market is the place to go for street food and restaurants. Those who like to support local producers will enjoy Islington Farmer’s Market for fresh fruit and vegetables, and Whitecross Street Market, one of the oldest in London, is packed with food from around the world.

And eclectic mix of start-ups and business owners

Young professionals and business owners just love the vibe and variety Islington has to offer. It’s eclectic mix of peace and party makes it one of the most popular boroughs in London – which is, of course, reflected in the house prices which average around £700,000. But that doesn’t mean you can’t find a bargain. The houses are just as mixed as the entertainment, with plenty of old terraces and modern new apartments close together, adding character and charm.

With so much to offer innovative new businesses, we are delighted to have opened our newest storage location right in the heart of Islington. With the canal on one side and Angel on the other, we’re ideally placed to provide alternative storage options for stall holders to keep their display shelves, salesmen to store samples and even start ups to shelve their stock. When you’re ready to expand your space in Islington, get in touch today.