At SO Fourteen, we’re delighted to be in the centre of such a fantastic city. So much so that we named our coworking business after our great location.
The SO14 postcode is home to great shopping facilities, fantastic food joints and impressive historical landmarks, but there are so many more reasons we love the location of our shared office space.
So, here are 14 of our favourite things about Southampton.
Don’t just take our word for it, though. Come and visit us to see why our location is perfect for any business seeking a new workplace solution.
With excellent transport links by road, rail, sea and air Southampton is perfectly positioned for commercial success. You can get a direct train to London in just one hour and 20 minutes, hop on the ferry to the Isle of Wight, access the rest of the UK via the M3 and M27 links or travel easily to the rest of Europe via Southampton Airport. The SO Fourteen offices are in walking distance of the ferry terminal, train station and various bus links, making it easily accessible from wherever you are.
Southampton offers little snippets of history wherever you go. It’s where the Titanic famously set sail from in 1912, where the Spitfire took its maiden flight from and where Jane Austen spent many periods of her life. Plus, it’s home to Tudor House and Gardens, Bargate, and it boasts the third longest original uninterrupted stretch of medieval defensive walling of any other town or city in Great Britain. The SO Fourteen offices are even right next to St. Michael’s Church – the oldest building still in use in the city, having been founded in 1070.
Southampton has plenty of attractions to keep culture vultures entertained. The Southampton art gallery is home to an impressive art collection. Meanwhile, the Mayflower Theatre provides a comprehensive schedule of must-see musicals, operas and ballets. And let’s not forget the impressive museums including Solent Sky Museum, Tudor House and Garden and the SeaCity Museum.
If you like live music, you’ll love what Southampton has to offer. The O2 Guildhall and St Mary’s Stadium regularly welcome high-profile acts whilst smaller venues such as The Joiners, The Brook and The Talking Heads also host live music on their stages. Meanwhile, Common People Festival and Let’s Rock Southampton bring some world famous acts to the city every year. And the annual Isle of Wight Festival is just a short ferry ride away.
With two great universities and a number of leading colleges, Southampton is constantly producing amazing new talent. The University of Southampton is ranked among the top 100 universities globally and is one of the UK’s top research universities, whilst Solent University was voted as one of the top 5 creative universities in the UK and is home to one of the world’s leading maritime training academies. Both universities have strong connections to the local business community, allowing businesses to share their experience and expertise with students and benefit from their fresh ideas and talent.
Oh we do like to be beside the seaside – and Southampton is famous for its connection to the water. The Port of Southampton is Europe’s most productive port, the second largest container terminal in the UK and the UK’s leading port for automotive trade. Plus, Southampton is the cruise capital of Northern Europe, with a world-class port that can handle the largest container vessels in the world. The SO Fourteen offices are just a stone’s throw from the seafront so you can take a short stroll to sit and watch the boats come in and out, or even attend the annual Southampton Boat Show.
St Mary’s Stadium, home to Southampton Football Club, allows football lovers to watch their favourite Premier League teams alongside 32,000 other fans. Just a 20-minute walk from the SO Fourteen offices you could always catch a midweek game to wind down after a day of working. And, if football isn’t your thing, you can catch some world class cricket at the Ageas Bowl, just a short drive or park and ride from the city centre.
Whatever your fitness levels Southampton has a number of gyms, sports facilities and activity centres to encourage you to stay in shape. ParkLives offers free activities in many of Southampton’s parks, allowing you to keep fit, make new friends and raise your spirits without having to fork out any cash. Plus, the city regularly hosts a number of fun runs, obstacle courses and more substantial running events including Gung ho, Race for Life, Active Warrior and even the ABP Half Marathon.
SO Fourteen members are able to benefit from a discounted rate at three Active Nation leisure centres in Southampton.
Southampton hosts a variety of leisure and business events throughout the year so, whatever your interests, you’re guaranteed to find something to enjoy. The Esplanade, for instance – just a short walk away from the SO Fourteen offices – regularly hosts public events. Some of our favourites have been the pop-up ice rink, outdoor cinema and Wimbledon Screening Area.
Southampton offers a broad selection of retail options to cater for all tastes. Southampton’s biggest shopping centre, WestQuay, is just a short walk from the SO Fourteen offices and is home to over 100 well-known shops. Alternatively, head to the high street for more major retailers and some smaller independent shops.
Whether you’re popping out to let your hair down after a long day of work or looking for somewhere to grab a quick bite for lunch, Southampton has an array of eateries for you to try. From big names such as Wahaca, Nando’s and Turtle Bay to smaller more individual joints, you’re guaranteed to find somewhere to suit your taste. WestQuay Watermark, Ocean Village, Oxford Street and Guildhall Square are all packed with fantastic food spots and within walking distance of SO Fourteen, so you’ll have no shortage of choice.
Southampton is home to some incredibly creative and innovative businesses and is positioning itself as a leading city of cutting edge research and development. The city has been named one of 11 designated Genomic Medicine Centres in the UK, is leading the world in finding medical solutions to major diseases such as cancer, heart disease and strokes and is in the world’s top 4 of oceanographic research institutions. We are delighted to be surrounded by so many inspiring businesses.
With over 7,400 businesses operating in the city, Southampton has a strong and positive business community – one that we are immensely proud to be a part of. A range of facilities and support networks are available to boost businesses whatever their stage. At SO Fourteen, community and collaboration is at the heart of everything we do and we are passionate about supporting businesses and growing this network.
Nestled between two stunning national parks, the New Forest to the west and the South Downs to the east, Southampton is surrounded by beautiful countryside. But you don’t have to leave the city centre to enjoy the fantastic green spaces that Southampton has to offer. You can take a walk through Southampton Common, enjoy the views from Mayflower Park or escape the hustle and bustle of the high street in one of the central parks.
Located in the city centre, SO Fourteen is perfectly positioned to make the most of many of the great things Southampton has to offer. So, if you’re looking for a workspace in the heart of the city, come and take a look around our modern coworking environment. Book a tour today.
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