Surveyor’s House

Located in a Victorian building in the heart of Westminster, Surveyor’s House offers a choice of small, medium or large meeting rooms. Their smallest is the “Hong Kong” Meeting Room, which accommodates up to 8 people with prices starting at around £90 per person. The bright, airy room features a boardroom layout and is fully equipped with AV technology.

www.surveyorshouse.co.uk

The Ministry

Developed by the Ministry of Sound Group as part of its expansion into work, culture and community spaces, The Ministry is housed in a converted Victorian printworks in Southwark, near Waterloo. It features a wide range of meeting rooms, with the smallest The Snug, which accommodates up to 8 people and is popular for interviews, podcast recordings and casting sessions.

www.theministry.com

The Abbey Centre

The Abbey Community Association Limited was established in 1948 to support the communities of South Westminster. The centre in historic Westminster was converted from a Victorian swimming bath to a social enterprise, providing conference and meeting rooms for local groups. Today its meeting rooms include The Hill Room, which accommodates up to 8 people and is priced at £80 for 3.5 hours use.

www.theabbeycentre.org.uk

MYCO Works

MYCO’s London offices are located in the heart of Central London where they offer meeting rooms starting at just £20 per hour for four people or more. Rooms are designed to provide the ideal backdrop to impress clients, brainstorm with colleagues, or hold productive training sessions. Rooms can be booked by the hour or day.

www.mycoworks.co.uk

The Nest

The Nest is a popular coworking space in Wapping, East London, that also offers well-equipped meeting rooms for hire at reasonable rates. Their smallest room is The Coffee Room, which is available for £200 and seats up to 4 people. Amenities include a TV/AV screen, high-speed WiFi, mood lighting and air conditioning.

www.nestcoworking.co.uk

Friends House

Conveniently located opposite Euston Station and within walking distance of King’s Cross and St Pancras, Friends House offers 17 versatile spaces, starting with the Bayard Rustin Room, a compact space featuring a professional boardroom-style layout for up to 10 people. Prices start at around £275 per day.

www.friendshouse.co.uk

Working From

This work venue in Southwark boasts a coworking space, a café and meeting rooms. When it comes to the latter, there are three that cater well for smaller groups of up to 8 people, each featuring wall-mounted screens, video conferencing and large windows to make them feel bright and airy.

www.workingfrom.com

Landmark Space

Housed in the former BBC headquarters on Great Portland Street, Landmark Space at Wogan House offers modern meeting rooms that can be booked by the hour or day. The smallest rooms seat up to six people, with rates starting from around £70 per hour, and are fully equipped with AV technology, fast WiFi and on-site support.

www.landmarkspace.co.uk

De Morgan House

De Morgan House is a historic Grade II-listed venue in Russell Square, offering competitively priced meeting rooms. The venue comprises four versatile rooms, all equipped with screens, projectors and natural light, plus a catering area and private garden. Booking can be done by the hour or day, with rates for smaller rooms starting in the low hundreds.

www.demorganhouse.org.uk

The Betjeman Arms

Located on the first floor of St Pancras station, the Betjeman Arms is a pub with a difference. Specifically, it offers two dedicated meeting rooms available for private hire – both close enough to the bar for that all-important post-work tipple. The smallest of the two rooms can accommodate up to 10 people and is priced at £40 per hour.

www.thebetjemanarms.co.uk

The post Where to Hire an Affordable Meeting Room in Central London appeared first on London Freelancers.

Enlisting the services of a reliable accountant can remove many of the stresses of running a small business – but finding one can often be the main challenge.

No matter whether you operate as a limited company yourself or as a sole trader, having an experienced accountant by your side is an efficient way of saving time, getting rid of unnecessary hassles, and ultimately making sound decisions about your finances. Everything from taxes and accounting to payroll and other business guidance can be made easier with the right help from the right accountant. We’ve picked out some of the most well-regarded accountants currently operating in the eastern reaches of London.

TaxAssist

TaxAssist provide services to small businesses, sole traders, startups, landlords, and limited companies, assisting clients with requirements such as filing their tax returns, completing their year-end accounts, bookkeeping, payroll, and other issues related to running a business. The unique feature that sets apart TaxAssist from its competitors is the combination of accessible offices and support from a much wider national network. TaxAssist clients can meet the advisors in person or communicate with them online – whichever way is more convenient for them.

www.taxassist.co.uk

Fusion

Fusion Accountants offer specialist accountancy experience across sectors including construction, e-commerce, hospitality, property and the creative industries. Alongside everyday services such as bookkeeping, payroll, VAT, accounts, and tax planning, the firm places an emphasis on helping businesses grow through financial reporting, forecasting and business planning. Fusion also make use of cloud-based accounting platforms including Xero and QuickBooks, which are designed to give clients greater visibility over their finances. Fixed monthly fees are also useful for making the cost of ongoing accountancy support more predictable.

www.fusionaccountants.co.uk

Lexarox

Lexarox Accounts provide accounting, tax, payroll, and advisory services, spanning everything from bookkeeping and financial reporting to tax planning, CIS returns, tax refunds, and support during HMRC investigations. A key feature of the firm’s approach is flexibility, with clients able to build their accountancy support around the needs of their business and add or remove services as those requirements change. Lexarox also uses digital accounting tools and real-time reporting to help clients keep a closer eye on performance and make more informed financial decisions.

www.lexaroxaccounts.co.uk

Naail & Co

Rather than focusing solely on the standard accountancy offering of annual accounts and compliance, Naail & Co take a more hands-on approach to ongoing financial management and tax planning. Each client is assigned a dedicated account manager with direct-line access, while the firm also promises same-day responses to enquiries and unlimited phone and email support. Its use of digital accounting tools also helps clients keep paperwork under control and maintain an easy to digest and up-to-date view of their finances throughout the year.

www.naailandco.com

GM Professional Accountants

GM Professional Accountants provide services and advice shaped around the particular financial pressures and tax rules of individual industries. Its approach goes beyond preparing annual accounts, with monthly management reporting that can track figures such as cash flow, profit margins, labour costs, stock performance, and other metrics. For small businesses needing more strategic support, the firm also offer forecasting and growth advice, giving business owners and sole traders access to regular financial insight.

www.gmprofessionalaccountants.co.uk

The post Accountants for Small Business and Sole Traders in East London appeared first on London Freelancers.

One of the appealing things about life as a freelancer with multiple clients is that often your day can look completely different from the last. One day you’re slogging away on the laptop and the next you’re…learning how to pull the perfect espresso? If that sounds like a skill you’d like to acquire, check out our list below of some of the best barista training courses currently on offer in the capital.

Barista Beginner Masterclass

This one-day, practical course is aimed at complete beginners, home enthusiasts or anyone eyeing up barista work. It gives you the basic techniques for setting your machine and grinder, alongside training on espresso machine use, milk texturing and drinks preparation. The course is split into a morning session focused on theory and knowledge development, followed by an afternoon session covering practical skills. From £199 per person.

www.londonschoolofcoffee.com

Barista Foundation Course

Another one-day course, your group will be limited to 8 participants as you explore the journey of the bean from the farm to the cup with a trainer boasting over a decade of experience. You’ll learn the layout of the espresso machine and grinder, and there’ll also be instruction on the essential cleaning and maintenance routines required to keep your coffee-making equipment functioning correctly and the coffee tasting its best. All skill levels are welcome on the course. From £225 per person.

www.artisancoffeeschool.co.uk

Basic Barista Course

Ideal for those short on time or budget, this 2.5-hour course is aimed at anyone hoping to work as a barista, open a café or simply get more confident making proper coffee. Based in the East End, it covers the full range of coffees you’d expect to make on a commercial machine, from espressos and lattes to cappuccinos and flat whites. You’ll also learn about grinder settings, espresso extraction times, tamping, milk steaming, cleaning and machine maintenance. A pocket Barista Manual is included, with certificates posted the week after the course. From £99.95 per person.

www.baristabarbar.co.uk

SCA Barista Skills Intermediat

Accredited by the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA), a globally recognised coffee industry body, this course is for those with genuine ambitions of rising up the barista ranks. Available to anyone, with no prior experience required, the one-day course at Scoresby Street coffee shop in Southwark will see you learn how to set your grinder, the foundations of espresso brewing, basic milk texturing, basic daily equipment care, and the green and roasted coffee principle. From £300 per person.

www.origincoffee.co.uk

Private Barista Course

If you’re looking for something more intensive, this five-day course from the European Bartender School is open to all-comers. The hands-on programme covers everything from coffee equipment, roasting methods and coffee history to AeroPress, Chemex, V60, French Press and latte art. You’ll also get into the more business-minded aspects of the barista world, including workflow, costs and customer service. The course ends with theory and practical tests, with successful students receiving an EBS certificate. Price available on request.

www.barschool.net

The post 5 of the Best Barista Training Courses in London appeared first on London Freelancers.

While most bank accounts that are designed with the fast-growing self-employed workforce in mind share many of the same benefits, determining the one that best suits you will depend on your own specific circumstances and needs. To help you navigate this crowded field, we’ve done the research so you don’t have to and picked out 5 of the best bank accounts for sole traders currently on the market.

Mettle

Mettle by NatWest was created specifically for UK-based sole traders and limited companies. Available for those with a balance limit of up to £1 million, one of the account’s biggest perks is that it comes with award-winning accounting software Free Agent included. This software features a rolling tax calculation that can be accessed directly in the Mettle app, and it also removes the hassle from your business admin by automatically saving a percentage of your income, or scheduling a set amount of money to go into a tax pot. 

www.mettle.co.uk

Starling

Starling’s sole trader account is designed for UK-based freelancers, traders and other self-employed workers looking to keep their business finances separate from their personal spending. The account has no monthly fees and includes free invoicing, 24/7 UK customer support and Spaces, which can be used to put money aside for tax. Another useful feature is Starling’s free built-in Accounting Essentials software, including a HMRC-recognised Making Tax Digital tool that lets users categorise expenses and submit updates to HMRC directly from their account.

www.starlingbank.com

tide

Free to open, with no monthly fees and with account holders able to start using it straight away, tide’s sole trader-targeted account is packed with tools that save you time and money. Among them are functions that generate and send payment links in seconds, auto-categorisation for tagging your income and spending, and creating, tracking and sending invoices directly from the tide app. There is also 24/7 in-app support via live chat.

www.tide.co

Revolut Pro

If you’re already a Revolut account holder, Revolut Pro might be the obvious choice for your your sole trader needs. A simplified business account available within the personal Revolut mobile app and free for existing account holders, it’s built to meet the needs of people with smaller-scale ventures. It allows customers to manage multiple currencies, simplify expenses, accept payments on a larger scale, integrate tools, and plenty more. You can also earn up to 1% cashback on your business spend.

www.revolut.com

Monzo Business Lite

Monzo Business Lite is a free business banking plan designed for sole traders and limited companies looking for a streamlined mobile and web banking experience. It provides various banking tools, such as UK bank transfers, payment links, and card acceptance, without a monthly subscription fee. Other notable features include fee-free debit card payments anywhere, instant notifications when money goes in or out, and automatic syncing with a number of renowned accounting software solutions.

www.monzo.com

The post The Best Bank Accounts for Sole Traders appeared first on London Freelancers.

Solo Entrepreneurs, Freelancers, Consultants and Coaches Networking Event

Aimed at people working independently, this evening event offers an opportunity for solo entrepreneurs and freelancers to meet others from a broad mix of industries. It takes place at Cubanista, a speakeasy-style bar on Old Brompton Road in West London, and combines informal networking with short, practical talks from experienced business owners. Attendees typically include freelancers, consultants, early-stage founders, creatives and side hustlers. The event runs until 9 pm and uses a structured “speed friending” format, with an emphasis on follow-up and longer-term connections.

Cubanista, 92a Old Brompton Road / 5 February

London Entrepreneurs Network: Business Networking for Solo Entrepreneurs

This monthly gathering at Bonds in Mayfair brings together freelancers and professionals working across London’s creative industries, from design and writing to film, marketing and visual arts. The format is informal and conversation-led, with no speeches, sales presentations, or membership requirements. Events run from 8am to 10am in a private lounge and include breakfast and refreshments, creating a relaxed environment for networking and collaboration.

Mint Leaf London 12 Angel Court / 6 February

London Creative Network

Held at Bonds in Mayfair, this monthly networking event brings together London-based freelancers and professionals working across the creative industries, including design, writing, film, marketing, and visual arts. The gathering is informal and discussion-led, with no speeches, sales presentations, or membership requirements. The format encourages conversation and collaboration among attendees who hail from a broad mix of creative and socially focused sectors. Events run from 8am to 10am in a private lounge and include breakfast and refreshments.

Bonds Mayfair / 12 February

Founder Meet-Up by WILD Coworking

Self-employed women, and men living as women, are invited to come together for a casual chat over a coffee with a focus on their professional endeavours at this Covent Garden event, taking place in Redemption Roasters coffee shop this February. Whether it’s catching up with an old connection, or making new ones, the event is designed to create a warm and inviting space for ‘talking shop’. Members and non-members are both welcome.

Redemption Roasters, Covent Garden / 20 February

FSB London Bootcamp – Spring into Success

This one-day bootcamp is aimed at start-ups and self-employed professionals looking to develop practical skills and expand their networks. Taking place at TBXH at Sunley House in Croydon, south London, the event features expert-led talks, interactive roundtables and structured networking. Sessions focus on current challenges facing SMEs, alongside an exhibitor area showcasing business support services. Refreshments, including a light buffet lunch, are included.

TBXH Ltd, Bedford Park, Croydon / 18 March / www.events.fsb.org.uk

Mastering the Freelance Mindset

This 90-minute workshop focuses on the emotional side of freelance life, tackling common challenges such as imposter syndrome, rejection and the isolation that can come with working independently. Led by an experienced mindset and time-management coach, the session combines open discussion with practical tools to help freelancers build resilience, confidence and healthier working habits. Designed for people at any stage of their freelance journey, it offers a supportive space to share experiences and develop strategies for sustaining motivation and wellbeing over the long term.

Better Space, 127 Farringdon Road / 30 April

South by Southwest

Taking place across Shoreditch this June, South by Southwest London brings the well-known Austin festival format to the capital, with six days of music, screen, technology, culture and creative industry programming. Centred around East London, with venues clustered around the Truman Brewery, the event offers talks, showcases, screenings, networking and live performances. Sessions will explore themes including AI, digital culture, future technology, creativity, society and health. For freelancers, founders and creative professionals, it offers a chance to hear from industry leaders and connect with others.

Venues across Shoreditch & Hoxton / 1-6 June

From Contractor to Collaborator: Transforming Freelancer-Employer Relations

Aimed at freelancers and employers in the creative and cultural industries, this free two-hour session at University College London explores how both sides can build better working relationships. The event looks at common challenges around issues such as timelines, application processes, communication, payment systems and tendering. Attendees will discuss topics including what a strong briefing process looks like, how organisations can reduce unnecessary burdens on freelancers and how freelancers can present their skills clearly. Following the session, the room will remain available for optional networking for all guests.

University College London, Gower Street / 11 June

Pension Consolidation for the Self-Employed

Held as part of National Freelancers Day, which sees events taking place across the country, this London-based programme offers practical support for the self-employed. An independent financial adviser will lead a short lunchtime session on pension consolidation, outlining the benefits and drawbacks of combining multiple plans. Alongside this, freelancers can book complimentary 30-minute one-to-one financial consultations covering pensions, savings and income protection, as well as CV and LinkedIn appraisals tailored specifically to contractors and freelance professionals.

Zedwell, Great Windmill Street, Piccadilly / 19 June / www.nationalfreelancersday.com

How to become a freelancer?

Billed as a hand-on session, this event is designed for anyone keen to get into freelancing but isn’t sure where to begin. It breaks down the process of going freelance into digestible steps, and covers everything from the very basics to more complex aspects of being self-employed. Areas open for discussion will include branding, creating your own platform, finding clients, how to set your rates, invoicing, and network-building – all intended to give you the confidence to make the freelance jump.

London College of Fashion, 105 Carpenters Road, Stratford Cross / 3 June

Monthly Finance Club for Freelancers

Held at SPACE4 in Finsbury Park, this peer-led monthly meet-up gives freelancers a relaxed, jargon-free space to discuss the financial side of working independently. Topics are chosen collectively and may cover tax returns, pensions, pricing, budgeting, insurance, investing and saving for time off. Hosted by a SPACE4 member, the club encourages attendees to share knowledge, ask questions and leave feeling more confident about managing their money.

Space4, 113-115 Fonthill Rd, Finsbury Park / 1 July

BOOM Summer Soirée

Taking place at Qibo Skybar in Canary Wharf, this rooftop networking event brings together founders, business owners and senior leaders for an evening of drinks, conversation, music and London skyline views. Hosted on the 25th floor of the Dorsett Hotel, the summer soirée offers a more social alternative to formal networking, with no pitching or name badges. Guests can expect welcome drinks, canapés, curated introductions and access to BOOM’s rooftop event space, with the terrace open weather permitting.

Qibo Skybar, Canary Wharf / 16 July

EVA London 2026

A hybrid conference held online and at the BCS London office in Moorgate, the 2026 edition of EVA London will once again see professionals from across technology, art, culture, museums and visualisation come together for 5 days of demonstrations, panels, workshops, tutorials and more. For freelancer creatives, it’s an ideal opportunity to keep their finger on the pulse of industries that are at the cutting edge of innovation, with themes including AI, digital art, digital heritage all set to be front and centre of the event.

BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, Moorgate / 13-17 July

Creative Industries Festival

This annual festival focuses on what it means to find good work that supports inclusion, health and wellbeing at a time when the boundaries between professional and personal life continue to blur. This is particularly relevant to freelancers, who often work in solitude and without the support network that comes from a permanent in-house role. Through talks, workshops, and industry collaborations, the event explores how creativity can shape workplaces that foster inclusion, wellbeing and innovation and how we can work together to create industries where people can truly thrive.

University of East London, University Way / 2-5 September

The post Events for Freelancers in London – 2026 appeared first on London Freelancers.

Memories of being surrounded by paper receipts, unsure where to even start on the eve of a self-assessment deadline, are still fresh for many. But that chaos has largely become a relic of the past thanks to the arrival of invoice apps and software tailored specifically to freelancers.

With so many tools now available, the challenge isn’t finding invoice software, but figuring out which one will actually make life simplest. We’ve road-tested a wide range of options over the years, from quick mobile apps to full accounting platforms, and narrowed down the ones that genuinely streamline finances without adding extra hassle. Below, you’ll find our top picks, chosen for ease of use and smart features that make invoicing feel like one less thing to worry about.

FreeAgent

FreeAgent is made for freelancers, small businesses and landlords. It includes invoicing, expense tracking, time and project tools, plus tax help for UK users, including VAT and self-assessment. The mobile app lets you take photos of receipts and store them easily, which helps if you are often working away from a desk. More info

Wave

Wave is a good choice if you want to save money. It offers free invoicing, basic bookkeeping and expense tracking, and you can send unlimited invoices to as many clients as you want. However, it does not include many advanced features, like time tracking, and support is limited compared to paid software. More info

FreshBooks

FreshBooks has invoicing, expense tracking, time tracking and project billing all in one online system. It’s easy to use and works well for freelancers and small business owners who want one place to manage different tasks. The downside is that it costs more than free tools, and some users have said there are occasional issues after software updates. More info

Bonsai

Bonsai is more like a full business tool rather than just accounting software. You can handle invoicing, proposals, contracts, client details, projects and expenses in one platform. It is useful if you manage several clients and jobs at the same time. The software includes a lot of features, which can feel too much for freelancers who only need simple tools. More info

Invoice Ninja

Invoice Ninja combines invoicing, payments, time tracking and expense management. The free plan lets you send unlimited invoices, use different templates and accept online payments through major services. The paid plans give you client portals, recurring billing, automation and support for multiple businesses. It is a good choice if you want more control over projects and billing. More info

The post The Best Invoice Apps & Software for Freelancers appeared first on London Freelancers.

Based in Twickenham and working across Central London, Jake shares how he built his aerial photography and cinematography service, what freelance life looks like day to day and why seagulls can be an unexpected workplace hazard.

Jake, could you start by describing your service?

I run an aerial photography and cinematography service, giving clients high-res videos and stills from hard-to-reach areas, especially around Central London.

What first inspired you to become a freelancer, and how did you get started?

For me, the main draw to freelancing was the variety of projects. In the times that I was working in-house, my day-to-day routines were almost always the same. Freelancing gave me the chance to very quickly develop close relationships with lots of different agencies and different directors, in all kinds of working environments.

What kinds of clients do you typically work with, or have you worked with over the past few years?

Typically it’s either architecture and construction or brand-funded social content. It can be quite a range, as drone work covers almost all industries – even if it’s just to put a nice aerial video on a website.

What does a typical working day look like for you?

Now that I do drone work, my day is often spent prepping jobs, writing risk assessments or planning flights. If I’m filming, it’ll involve travelling to the shoot, working with the client to capture cinematic shots or photography and then running it through some post – colour grading or clipping the best shots, and uploading. There’s also the nitty gritty side, calling the MET police to get clearance, and battling seagulls that want to crash the drone.

Do you work with any clients remotely and do you travel much for work?

The flying is all on-site, but everything else, the pre-production planning, risk assessments and permit applications, is remote, plus any post-production. Most of my projects are in Central London, so there’s not a lot of travelling.

How do you usually go about finding new clients or opportunities?

This is both a strength and a weakness. My website does most of the work, so people find me and request to book me. I’m quite useless at making calls and reaching out to new clients, but this is something I’m keen to work on. I currently have no control over who finds me, but at least I can pick and choose who I call and email. There are so many great clients I’d love to work with, I just have to sit down and make that call!

Have there been any challenges in your freelance experience so far and, if so, how have you dealt with them?

The hardest challenges are normally when you end up covering too many roles. For me this could be camera operating, pre-production producing, directing and editing, all for one daily rate. When you work in-house, you’re usually surrounded by a solid team and you focus on your speciality. Unfortunately, as a freelancer, you can end up doing it all, plus the admin after the shoot. Depending on the project size, it can be overwhelming.

How do you maintain a healthy balance between work and personal life?

Have strong boundaries with clients, so you don’t burn out. Make it clear what your limitations are. Try and operate with a day rate, not a project rate, so that you don’t feel like you’re tied in 24/7. Meet up with friends or colleagues in the same industry, so that you’re networking but also getting out and off the screen. Also, try and shut down the computer around 5 or 6pm, as you would in an office, when possible.

Which neighbourhood are you based in and does it feel like a good area for freelancers?

I live in Twickenham, which is great if you want to get out of the city but stay well connected. But for a lot of freelancers, I think East London is still the best option.

Finally, what are your three favourite spots in London?

Chinatown, Richmond Park, Southbank.

The post Interview: Jake Mobbs, Freelance Drone Operator in London appeared first on London Freelancers.

Upscale restaurants, trendy boutiques and a conveyor belt of American tourists drawn here by the 2003 cult hit rom com Love Actually give this bohemian West London district a lively, creative edge – making it an appealing setting for coworking spaces. Here are three of the best that the neighbourhood has to offer, each providing spaces where you can work professionally and productively among like-minded folk.

Second Home

Second Home’s bright, spacious coworking space is set in Holland Park, on the southern fringes of Notting Hill. Housed in an architecturally renowned building, the space offers a range of on-site services and amenities including full-time reception, unlimited printing, bike parking, showers and towels, phone booth, free tea/coffee and breakout spaces. All members also gain access to a busy programme of community and cultural events.  Unlimited hot desking across the workspace starts at £250 per month and there are also day passes available for £25 per day.

More info at Secondhome.io

FORA

Situated above Notting Hill Gate tube station, FORA’s Notting Hill coworking space draws inspiration from the character of the surrounding area, with interiors influenced by the colourful terraced houses of Notting Hill and featuring an emphasis on natural light, comfortable breakout areas and communal lounges. Members can choose from private offices, open coworking areas and bookable meeting rooms, all supported by amenities such as high-speed Wi-Fi, bike parking, showers and kitchen facilities. Hotdesking rates start at £450 per month.

More info at Foraspace.com

Studio Y

SPACEMADE’s Studio Y is a fashion-focused coworking space located in the Yellow Building at Notting Dale Campus in Notting Hill. Designed for designers, stylists, brand founders and other creative professionals, it offers a different kind of workspace built specifically for the fashion and creative industries rather than general coworking. The space includes private studios, meeting rooms and shared work areas within a collaborative creative community. There’s also an on-site art collection showcasing artists from around the world. Flexible memberships are available, including hot-desking from £129 per month for five days or £299 per month for unlimited access. There are also day passes available starting at £35 per day.

More info at Spacemade.co

The post Editor Picks: The Best Coworking Spaces in Notting Hill appeared first on London Freelancers.

The findings come from The State of Freelance Journalism Report 2024, produced by Sheffield Hallam University with Freelancing for Journalists. The report is based on a survey of 401 freelance journalists working across the UK, as well as interviews with commissioning editors from print, digital, audio and broadcast media. It looks at how freelancing is working in practice at a time when staff newsroom jobs continue to disappear.

Flexibility Keeps Freelancers in the Industry

One of the main takeaways is that, despite the problems, many freelancers still want to stay freelance. Almost eight in ten respondents said they plan to continue working this way, and most said they actually enjoy the work. Flexibility came up again and again. For many people, that matters more than money.

“I think the main reason freelance journalists plan to continue freelancing is that the benefits outweigh the disadvantages,” the report’s author, Dr Lily Canter, said. “In a nutshell, yes, everyone would like to be paid more – and you would probably find that in a lot of professions.”

Freelancers said being able to choose what they work on, organise their own time and fit work around family, caring responsibilities or health issues was a big part of why they had not returned to staff jobs.

“But what freelancing gives people is a sense of autonomy: being able to follow the stories they’re interested in, carve out their own niche and work flexibly in terms of the hours and days they work,” Dr Canter said.

Pay, Training and Commissioning Remain Major Challenges

At the same time, the report makes clear that money remains a serious concern. Nearly three quarters of respondents said they were unhappy with their earnings. When all income sources were added together, most said they earned somewhere between £20,000 and £40,000 a year. A noticeable number earned much less than that, with some making under £5,000 from their journalism.

Low rates were one of the most common complaints. Half of freelancers said they had been offered less than 10p a word at some point. Most had seen offers of 20p a word or lower. Many said they had turned down work because the pay was not worth the time involved, although fewer said they regularly negotiate rates when work is offered.

“I would challenge the idea that financial rewards are limited, because you can earn a lot of money as a freelance journalist,” Dr Canter said. “Actually, a lot of freelancers earn more than they would in a staff role. It’s just that journalism as an industry is not particularly well paid in comparison to other professions.”

Another issue raised was how little preparation journalists receive for freelancing. Only a small number said their training covered freelance work properly. Many said they had to figure things out as they went along, including how to pitch ideas, negotiate fees, deal with contracts, and manage tax and invoicing.

“Journalism undergraduate and postgraduate courses should have mandatory modules on freelancing,” Dr Canter said. “Any other organisations that run courses should also include it as part of their mandatory training.”

Editors interviewed for the report described growing pressure on budgets across the industry. Several said freelance rates had barely changed for years, in some cases decades. Editors said freelancers are still essential, especially for specialist knowledge and regional coverage, but money often limits what they can commission.

The report concludes that freelance journalism still works for many people, but only just. It says clearer commissioning processes, more openness about rates, quicker payments and better training around freelancing could help make the sector more stable.

“The industry does need to rethink how it values freelance labour,” Dr Canter added. “It has always treated freelancers poorly in this country.”

The State of Freelance Journalism Report 2024 was written by Dr Lily Canter, senior lecturer in journalism at Sheffield Hallam University.

The post Most UK Freelancers Plan to Stay Despite Financial Pressures, Report Finds appeared first on London Freelancers.

The Central London railway terminus is a hive of activity every day of the week. Whether it’s tourists visiting the South Bank, commuters making their way to and from the office, or remote workers seeking somewhere warm and welcoming to bury their head in a laptop, Waterloo caters for your every need with its diverse assortment of coffee shops. We’ve picked out 5 of our favourites below.

Greensmiths

Nestled along historic, bustling Lower Marsh, just minutes from Waterloo Station, Greensmiths is a haven of tranquility among the sights, sounds and aromas of the street’s popular daily street food market. Venture inside and you’ll quickly discover this isn’t merely a coffee shop, but also a purveyor of fine produce that makes picking up an easy dinner option on your way out hard to resist. Beyond the upscale groceries, a small flight of stairs leads you up to the seating area where generously spaced out wooden bench-style tables offer the chance to hunker down with your laptop, while attentive table service ensures you don’t need to take your eye off those essential emails.

27 Lower Marsh

Black Sheep Coffee

Deep in the inner sanctum of Waterloo Station, Black Sheep Coffee has gained a loyal fanbase thanks to its speciality coffee, friendly baristas and easy access to both the mainline train platforms and the underground. Seating is a mix of standard wooden tables and soft-back cushioned sofas with armchairs – ideal for those happy to put the ‘lap’ into laptop. As for the décor, exposed pipes lend the cafe an industrial chic-style aesthetic that  wouldn’t look out of place in hipster Shoreditch.

The Sidings, Unit UG12, Upper Ground Level, Waterloo Station

Calico Coffee

A relatively new addition to Lower Marsh, Calico Coffee has swiftly earned a reputation among local coffee enthusiasts for its smart décor and high-quality beans. The space is fairly compact, with a minimalist aesthetic and plenty of natural light. Expertly prepared espresso drinks alongside a small selection of pastries and light bites ensure satiation is only a hand gesture away, with table service quick, friendly and efficient. Its location just a few minutes from Waterloo Station means it attracts a mix of commuters and freelancers looking for a well-made coffee and a relaxed spot to focus.

Unit C, 101 Lower Marsh

Benugo

If you want to get some work done before your train departs, Benugo, located on the upper level of Waterloo station, is an ideal spot. Your platform will be a matter of seconds away, and the main train departures board is directly opposite, so you can keep an eye on your train while you work. The coffee is confidently made, and the varied selection of sandwiches and pastries make for ample options. Combined with the constant buzz of travellers passing through, it creates an atmospheric place to grab a coffee and tick a few tasks off your to-do list.

19/20 Waterloo Road

Foundry Coffee

A short walk from Waterloo Station, Foundry’s Instagram profile says it all, with a trio of hashtags highlighting its #Coworking, #Coffee and #Collaboration credentials. In short, this is a coffee shop designed with working in mind, offering plenty of power points, generously sized tables and a community of regulars that give the space a welcoming, sociable feel. Come for the coffee and WiFi, and you may well leave with a network of freelance acquaintances you never knew you needed.

156 Blackfriars Road

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