Some may perceive London as a very expensive place to live, but there is a portion of workers who would fight hard to move to the city, especially its south side.
Over the past few years, London has emerged as a place with an infinite amount of networking opportunities and creative agencies people can explore.
It is now relatively easy for freelancers to find new projects and work. They will find numerous co-working spaces, freelance-friendly cafés, and more.
So, with freelancing becoming a very popular way for people to make a living, let’s tap into the key factors which have driven south London as the hub for freelancers.
The rise of freelancing
According to data from Archmedia, nowadays, almost o in 20 people in the UK has freelancing as their main source of income.
In London, the ratio is even bigger as one in five people do the same.
Per the same survey, in total, there are about 7.4 million people who freelance in the entire UK, either full or part-time.
Therefore, it should not be surprising to see that freelancers contribute at least £270billion to the UK economy on a yearly basis.
As such, we now witness a significant transition in how companies interact and engage with the workforce.
There is an evident shift towards a more fluid working model, and this is especially applicable for early-stage startups.
Such companies see hiring freelancers as a far safer model than spending a lot of money on a big group of full-time workers.
Big companies also seem to have nothing against freelancers – if their workers can get the job done remote, then why not do the same with freelancers?
An array of job opportunities
The most obvious reason why south London is becoming a business hub for freelancers is the countless job opportunities.
Regardless of whether people are just starting or are professionals in what they do, this part of the city has something to offer.
Companies from various industries are constantly on the lookout for new talent.
Digital marketing, IT, data analysis, HR – you name it.
Even the online gambling industry, which is strong in the UK, has taken root in south London.
New AMEX casinos, known for their modern tech stacks and marketing-first approach, frequently hire freelancers for content writing and UI/UX to SEO and localisation.
It’s an unexpected yet lucrative niche for digital specialists looking to diversify.
However, not everything is as easy as it may seem.
You are not the only one perceiving south London as the perfect location for freelance gigs.
There are countless others who share the same views, so you must make sure to distinguish yourself through exceptional skills and innovative thinking.
Make sure to create yourself a strong online presence and stand out from the crowd.
If you manage to beat the competition, then you will have the time of your life in South London and find lucrative projects along the way.
Top infrastructure across all sectors
A big part of the reason south London is perceived as a freelancers’ hub is the world-class digital and physical infrastructure.
Reliable and fast internet is crucial for remote work, and it enables freelancers seamless communication with clients and no interruptions while working on different projects.
As for the physical aspect of infrastructure, we cannot help but praise London’s transport sector, which includes the much-coveted Tube system.
Everyone can easily navigate the city through the extensive network of buses and trains – all with affordable prices.
Legal, financial and political frameworks
The UK is known for its robust legal framework, accounting, and finance practices.
All these factors give potential new investors confidence when they seek a new place to locate.
Traditionally, the UK is generally perceived as a politically stable region, which is not to be underestimated for new companies seeking to relocate.
A culture to inspire everyone
London simply boasts a culture that many rank among the world’s best.
Thanks to this, freelancers say that they are never short on sources of inspiration, especially workers who thrive in creative fields.
Museums such as the British Museum and Tate Modern will leave you speechless, while iconic theatres like the West End offer freelancers an unprecedented cultural tapestry.
London’s vibrant arts, music, and fashion scenes make it ideal for young freelancers to source fresh ideas and enjoy life outside working hours.
Professional freedom and cultural diversity can be perfectly blended for freelancers in south London, so you will have no problem feeling at home.
Key considerations for freelancing in south London
If you decide to start working for yourself in London, you will need to report your income to the HM Revenue and Customs.
Depending on the type of job you do, you may also need to set up a business.
Setting up a business is a necessity if you trade in goods or services:
- Make items and sell them for a profit
- Sell items regularly
- Are paid for a service you provide
Note that you won’t pay tax on your first £12,570 income, as this represents your Personal Allowance.
Sought-after freelance skills in London
Some estimates say that over half of business owners in the UK will use a freelancer at some stage to help their business grow.
As such, this leads to a high demand for such workers, and the good news is that the sectors can be quite varied.
A skilled freelancer would have no problems finding a gig in content writing, SEO, email marketing, paid search, programming, and various other forms of consulting.
A leading business hub
With all the above-mentioned in mind, it is easy to see why south London ranks so highly among places where freelancers thrive.
From its financial strength, all the way to its diverse pool of talent and companies seeking that talent, London will continue being the prime location where businesses and individuals will grow.
Thanks to its powerful infrastructure and the admirable business environment, London can also be a solid option for people who live outside the city and travel there to take advantage of business opportunities.
Featured image: Free to use from Unsplash
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