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Nine places to host a last-minute meeting in London

September 24, 2024
7 min read
By
Kate Moss-Robins
Content Writer

Whether you're a business owner, a freelancer, or you just need to organise a last minute meeting, finding the right meeting room can be stressful.  

But don’t worry – plenty of venues cater to last-minute needs without compromising professionalism or comfort. Here's our review of nine popular places to host a last-minute meeting.

1. Cafés

You can find a café on every bustling high street, and they are an excellent option for casual, quick meetings. They only cost as much as a cup of coffee, they’re comfortable, Wi-Fi is often available, and you’ll be able to get plenty of refreshments throughout your meeting.  

However, it’s hard to predict how full any café will be when you arrive. You can’t reserve a table ahead of time, so there’s no guarantee there’ll be a suitable place to host your meeting.  

There’s also no knowing whether the other customers will be loud and overstimulating, or so quiet that your conversation lacks privacy. It is also often socially uncomfortable to stay longer than a couple of hours in a café.

Examples: Caffé Nero, Costa, Gail's

Pros: Thousands of locations are available across the city; inexpensive

Cons: Not possible to book, no privacy

Rating: 3/10

2. Hotel meeting rooms

Hotel meeting rooms provide corporate and higher-end meeting environments, they are available in every neighbourhood and close to all major airports in London. They vary significantly in price, quality, and capacity, so you’ll have to research to find the perfect venue for your audience.

Hotels are also a good option if you’re hosting a larger group between 10 and 100 people.

Examples: St. Giles, Marriott, Premier Inn

Pros: Higher-end options available; larger capacity spaces available

Cons: On the more expensive side

Rating: 7/10

3. Public library meeting rooms

Many libraries now offer meeting rooms, often at a lower cost than traditional conference rooms. They're quiet and come with a range of resources like free internet access and projectors.  

You can book them instantly online, and they are a highly affordable option, with rooms for 6 people available from as little as £20 per hour. If you use your local library, you may get a discount on the commercial rate.  

Some councils require library membership to be eligible to book. It’s free and quick to sign up, but you must be a local resident with proof of address, such as a council tax bill. Our examples do not require you to be a local resident or library member.  

Also, it’s worth noting that these are not state-of-the-art luxury facilities, and you often get what you pay for. Some rooms are slightly basic and dated, so check images before you book to ensure the space meets your standards.

Examples: Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea Library, Haringey Council Library, City of Westminster Library

Pros: The most affordable option

Cons: A library membership may be needed; rooms can be dated in style

Rating: 4/10

4. Coworking spaces

Many coworking venues offer pay-as-you-go private meeting rooms at short notice. They provide a professional environment with fast Wi-Fi, screens, and tea and coffee facilities.

Some let you book immediately online, but most require you to submit your details via an enquiry form and speak to a salesperson. This means the process may be delayed, and the pricing isn’t transparent until you hear back from them.


See also: Coworking: is it right for me?


Examples: WeWork, Fora, Regus

Pros: Professional environment; fast internet

Cons: No instant booking; non-transparent pricing

Rating: 8/10

5. Pubs with function rooms

Pubs are abundant in London. You’ll find one on practically every street corner, and plenty are quite empty while people are working 9-5. Some have special function rooms, which you can use for a fun, informal twist on a regular business meeting.

They are not typically advertised as places for business meetings, so they can be hard to find and book online. They also might not be the best option for more professional first impressions.

Bear in mind that function rooms are typically intended for parties and wedding receptions, so they can be quite large spaces. It may be best to go with a space you already know well to ensure it meets your requirements before booking.

Examples: Fullers, The Vintry

Pros: Available all over London; food and drink are available

Cons: Difficult to book online; unprofessional environment; spaces for hire more suited to large groups

Rating: 2/10

6. Outdoors in green spaces

Gathering people outside is a fun and refreshing setting for a business meeting. Going to one of the city’s public parks for an informal break from the office environment requires minimal forward planning, it’s free, and it can be great for team building and brainstorming.

Bear in mind that technology will be difficult to use, and if you need the internet, you’ll have to rely on your phone’s 4G signal. It can also be quite unpleasant if the weather turns cold and rainy.

Examples: St James’s Park, The Green Park, Regent’s Park

Pros: Free; unique; minimal planning required

Cons: Weather dependent; limited tech integration; no Wi-Fi

Rating: 4/10

7. Online meeting

If your meeting is really last minute, your best bet might be to do a video call. You can attend from wherever you want and blur your background if you’d prefer privacy. It’s also free, efficient, and familiar to most people.

That being said, nothing quite beats the impact of meeting in person. People tend to be more present, engaged and better at communicating when they are all in the same room. This may be useful if you’re trying to land a deal with a customer or tackle a problem as a team.


See also: The benefits of in-person vs virtual meetings

See also: How to host effective meetings


Examples: Microsoft Teams; Google Meet; Zoom; FaceTime

Pros: Free; efficient

Cons: People potentially less engaged

Rating: 8/10

8. Home office

Even if it’s small, your home office could be a good option for hosting a meeting last minute. It will cost you nothing, there’s no commute time, and you’ll already be familiar with the set-up as it’s all your own. Using your personal space for a meeting will also give guests an authentic insight into your business and you as a leader.

However, welcoming guests into your home can be daunting for some. If you feel your space isn’t up to the standard you want to present yourself, or if you don’t want the rigmarole of providing everyone with refreshments from your kitchen, other options may be better.  

Pros: Free; familiar; no booking required

Cons: Preparing your home for guests can be daunting

Rating: 5/10

9. Meeting rooms at 71-75 in Covent Garden

Whether you need to meet a client, brainstorm with your team or host conference calls from a work environment in Central London, we’ve got you sorted. View our meeting rooms to find a layout that meets your business needs and workstyle.  

Our meeting rooms are all equipped with modern, quality furniture, including ergonomic tables and chairs, and the latest conferencing technology. Plus, you’ll meet in the heart of the capital, Covent Garden, offering plenty of after-hours entertainment and transport connections.

You can find our room availability and prices listed on our website, and you can book straight away – we won’t make you speak to a salesperson. You can book weeks ahead or on the day, so you can trust us to fulfil your needs consistently, however last-minute you plan.  

Pros: Instant booking available; fully-equipped and ready to go; comfortable; Central London location

Cons: Maximum capacity of eight people

Rating: 10/10

Book a meeting room at 71-75 today

Are you ready to book a meeting today? You can book a meeting room online or if you have any questions about our meeting rooms, feel free to call our friendly team on 020 3184 8770.

Kate Moss-Robins
Content Writer
Kate Moss-Robins is a writer with a background in marketing in industries ranging from property development to children’s toys. Her focuses have included property investing and HNWI personal finance. She has a particular interest in workplace culture and new technologies.
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