London is booming business: the city has been the most popular destination among Dutch business travelers for years. The numerous international companies, conference facilities and numerous travel options to London make the British capital the place to be for a business trip successfully.
Bustling London as a business travel destination
The United Kingdom is among the Netherlands' five largest export markets. There is no place in England more vibrant than London, where there is always room to do business. In addition, the British capital can be reached in a few hours, making it even possible to cross the channel for just a day. London is most easily reached by train or plane. Thanks to the recently launched connection between Amsterdam and London St. Pancras, London can be reached by train in four hours. Those who hop on a plane will be at one of London's six (!) airports in an hour; London Heathrow Airport and London City Airport are the most convenient. KLM, British Airways and EasyJet, among others, offer daily flights to London airports.
Financial district
Once you arrive, it's time to explore the city's business districts. The business heart of London is Canary Wharf, which is also home to three of the tallest buildings in the United Kingdom. This district used to be the country's main port, and from 1802 to 1980 it was even one of the busiest docks in the world. Then the dock closed, leaving it vacant. After a thorough renovation, Canary Wharf grew back into London's premier business district in recent years. It is now home to both British and European companies. Some major players include HSBC, Thomson Reuters and Barclays.
Convention Centers
In such a large, popular business city, there are naturally many convention centers, from small and intimate to large and crowded. The London ExCel International Exhibition Centre is one of the best-known centers. It is located in Royal Dock's district, about twenty minutes from the city center and everything is possible here: from meetings to special events. Fancy a snack or drink in between? For that, there are no less than 22 restaurants in the center! The conveniently located Business Design Centre is a ten-minute walk from Kings Cross St. Pancras and is a popular business center in the heart of London. There are meeting rooms, an auditorium, conference space of over two thousand square meters.
Moreover, business travelers will often encounter Olympia London, in Kensington. This conference hall can accommodate 700 people, but there are also larger event halls with a capacity of up to six thousand.
Differences in business
Still, when doing business there are some major differences and it is good to take them into account. Britons are known to be polite and in the business world this is no different. Therefore, Dutch directness is not always appreciated. Brits may even experience this as rude, something that is not really useful when doing business. Break the ice with the British, talk about everyday things (especially the weather is a popular topic of conversation) and then get to the point.
It is important to build and maintain contacts well; get to know each other, but do not discuss private matters during a business meeting. Appropriate distance is appreciated; a Brit will not easily show the back of his tongue. Last but not least: don't interpret everything literally, because sometimes Brits mean something different than we Dutch think. Doing business in London? Then take plenty of time to get to location, because the city's traffic is quite busy and Brits like punctuality. It is customary to call new business partners by their title rather than by their first name the first few meetings.
Representative business in London
In business meetings, Brits expect you to look presentable. English culture stands for tailored suits and suit jackets. A striped tie is not easily seen and a pocket on the shirt is not done. Still, everything depends on the industry. The British banking world, for example, has a specific code: wear at least black shoes. Cheap-looking suits are quickly noticed, while points are scored with leather shoes. Play it safe and keep it neat at all times; after all, it's better to be overdressed than to make a bad impression.
Get around London
Culturally and historically, London is the ideal city to relax between business. Besides the standard tourist attractions like Big Ben, Buckingham Palace and Tower Bridge, there are other places worth visiting, either alone or as a group with business associates. The National Gallery, a boat ride on the Thames and Hyde Park offer good options for an outing and relaxation.
London has over four thousand bars and although British cuisine may not be considered the best in the world, the city has lots of good restaurants. For fine dining, head to Soho, where famous streets like Carnaby Street and Regent Street can be found.
In the narrow alleys, one good restaurant alternates with another. Dining with a view is one of the must do's in London. The 38th floor of the Heron Tower offers not only impressive views but also good sushi in the restaurant. The Fenchurch Restaurant in Sky Garden also has great views and good quality cuisine. These two eateries are great for business lunches and dinners.
In the evening, West End is the place to be, with various musical performances and a wide range of entertainment. This is the area with famous squares like Picadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square and Leicester Square. Precisely the small alleys offer the best lounge spots and pubs to recover from the busy city life.
In the field of visual arts, the Royal Academy of Arts offers several exhibitions and events. A piece of British history, on the contrary, is represented at the National Portrait Gallery, with paintings and photographs of historical British figures.
Hotels
A day trip to London for business is fine, but not all business trips are completed in a day. Fortunately, there are plenty of hotels to choose from in the city, especially for business travelers. The London Marriott Hotel Regents Park and the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London are two popular hotels with business travelers. Closer to Canary Wharf, the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotels London ExCel is a popular option.
5x the best rooftop bars in London
End the day with a drink and an impressive view of the city.
London has many rooftop bars, among which there are some must-sees. Here are the five most impressive rooftop bars:
Rumpus Room
Rumpus Room has worked itself up to a well-known hot spot in the city. Located on the Thames River (pronounced Temz), this rooftop bar offers views of the heart of London. Every Wednesday, a band plays live music in the bar.
Sky Lounge
This rooftopper on Liverpool street garners high praise from business travelers. Enjoy a glass of champagne while London's busy life races by beneath you. The bar is located on the twelfth floor of the DoubleTree by Hilton London - Tower of London.
Jin Bo Law
Colorful Asian accessories combined with a hefty dose of style. Jin Bo Law, in the heart of Aldgate, offers not only stylish design but also a rooftop terrace with skyline views.
Radio Rooftop Bar
A panoramic view of London and the tastiest cocktails; Radio Rooftop Bar is a fine place to relax. The bar is located on the tenth floor of the ME London Hotel.
The Rooftop St. James
Atop the Trafalgar Hotel, The Rooftop St. James offers iconic views of the city. This rooftop bar is modern and is a fine spot for drinks and snacks.
London in brief
The capital of England has a population of nearly nine million, so it is no small player. The entire city covers almost the area of the province of Utrecht and there are six airports. Payment is made with the pound, which is (currently) worth about 1.14 euros. Wondering about best connection for your appointment in London? Then feel free to take contact with us.
This article originally appeared in the Traveletc. #2 2018. Text by: Roos Jansen
