In short: For £350 a year you get a central London business address to use as your trading address on your website, invoices and letterheads. We receive your business post, scan and email letters to you, and forward items anywhere in the world (postage is charged at cost). A virtual office is not a registered office — that is a separate legal address, sold separately.
What's included
- Use of our central London address as your business (trading) address
- Use on your website, invoices, letterheads, business cards and online listings
- Receipt of business letters addressed to your company
- Scanning and emailing of letters, usually the same working day
- Forwarding of post to any address worldwide (postage is charged at cost)
- Secure holding of items for collection on request
- The legally required checks on the people behind a company (UK Money Laundering Regulations). We complete them as part of your order.
- Email and phone support
What a London Virtual Office is
A virtual office gives your business a real address in central London without the cost of renting a desk. You can show it to the world as your trading address: on your website, invoices, emails, Google Business profile and marketplace listings. Post sent there is received by our team, scanned and emailed to you.
It suits founders who work from home, overseas owners selling into the UK, and businesses that want a London address for credibility with customers and suppliers.
Virtual office vs registered office
These are two different things, and the old rule of thumb "one address does everything" causes problems.
- A registered office is your company's legal address on the Companies House register. It receives official mail from Companies House, HMRC and the courts. Every company must have one, in the same UK nation as the company.
- A virtual office is a business address for everyone else: customers, suppliers, banks, couriers and marketing.
The London Virtual Office does not include a registered office or a director service address. If you need those, add a Registered Office Address and a Director Service Address. Our London registered office is for companies registered in England and Wales; Scottish companies use our Edinburgh address.
The virtual office address itself can be used by any business, wherever it is registered, because it is a trading address, not a legal registered office.
How it works
- Order the service and complete our identity and anti-money-laundering checks.
- We confirm your London address and how your mail should be addressed.
- Start using it on your website and paperwork.
- When post arrives, we scan and email it to you. Tell us if you want originals forwarded or held.
Mail handling and forwarding
Letters are opened and scanned so you can read them the same day, wherever you are. If you need the original, we forward it to any address in the world. Postage is charged at cost. Parcels and large items may not be accepted at the address — ask us before you have goods delivered.
What you need to provide
- Your business or company name
- Proof of identity and home address for the business owner, and for each director and person with significant control if it is a company
- An email address for scanned mail and a forwarding address if you want originals posted
Common mistakes
- Putting the virtual office address on your Companies House filing as the registered office without ordering that service. Check with us first.
- Using a London registered office for a company registered in Scotland. That is not allowed.
- Expecting the address to accept stock or customer returns. It is for business correspondence.
Frequently asked questions
Is a virtual office the same as a registered office?
No. A registered office is the legal address on the Companies House register. A virtual office is a trading address for customers and suppliers. The London Virtual Office does not include a registered office.
Can I use the London address on my website and Google listing?
Yes. It is a business address you can show publicly on your website, invoices and online listings.
Can a Scottish company use the London Virtual Office?
Yes, as a trading address. But its registered office must stay in Scotland, so it should use our Edinburgh registered office.
How much does it cost to forward my post?
Forwarding is included in the service, but postage is charged at cost based on the weight and destination.
Can I receive parcels at the address?
The address is for business letters. Ask us before sending parcels or goods, as large items may not be accepted.
What is the exact London address?
It is a central London address. We confirm the full address to you once your order and identity checks are complete.
Related services
Registered Office Address
Use our Edinburgh or central London address as your company's official registered office, with mail scanning.
Edinburgh Virtual Office
An Edinburgh business address for your website, invoices and post, with mail scanning and forwarding.
Mail Handling and Forwarding
We receive your company post, scan it the same day and forward originals anywhere in the world.
Director Service Address
Show our address on the public register instead of your home address, for one director of one company.