About London
London is a lively city where you’ll find some of the most diverse people in the world. Each part of the city has something new to discover, from the historic centre of Westminster to Chinatown and the East End.
This is why it’s a popular location to host events, not to mention there are endless venues and sights in the city perfect for any occasion. London has some of the UK’s best attractions, whether you want to visit the London Zoo, wander the markets of Notting Hill or have a picnic in St James’ Park.
The capital has a combination of history, culture and great food. Central London also has famous West End shows, live music, bars and a whole host of seasonal events to enjoy so you’re never short of things to do when you visit.
It is a city of all weathers and seasons, where you can enjoy a barbecue in the park in the summer or head to one of the famous museums if there’s a downpour. There really is no bad time to visit London.
Focus Group Options in London
During the pandemic and for general convenience, many focus groups are held virtually. However, in-person focus groups are vital for research purposes. To host a successful focus group session, the host must take care of all the little details, particularly when you are juggling people who may be from different backgrounds or coming from across the country.
- Catering
Focus groups by no means require a three-course meal or even a buffet. However, sessions often last half to a full day, and visitors will get hungry or expect at least some food to be provided in exchange for taking part. Hiring a caterer is a quick and easy way to keep everyone, including yourself, satisfied throughout the day. Ideal options are canapes, a cold buffet or a salad bar which can be provided for as few or as many guests as needed.
- Equipment Rental
Focus groups are often held in a room or hall, and while hopefully, your venue will provide you with equipment, you may be faced with an empty room. Hiring items such as tables and chairs can be easy to overlook but are essential. In London, you can find many companies that offer everything from cupboards to sofas to ensure everyone will have somewhere to sit and be comfortable.
- Printing Services
One of the main parts of any focus group involves filling in forms, including profiles and consent forms. Similarly, if you are holding a large focus group, you may want to install banners or posters in the room to give more information about the day, which can all be provided by a good printing service ahead of time.
Focus Group Companies in London
- Eden Caterers
Eden Caterers are London-based but known country-wide as one of the best and most sustainable food providers. They are located centrally near Waterloo and provide a range of options which are perfect for focus groups. No matter what time of day you need food for, they offer breakfasts, sandwich trays, assorted baguettes, hot bowls, buffets and salad boxes, plus they can cater to any individual taste or requirement. To save even more hassle, they provide drinks, both soft and alcoholic, as well as coffee for when you or your guests need a quick pick-me-up.
- easyEventhire
Part of the Easy brand, easyEventhire offers a whole range of equipment for virtually any event, whether it’s a party, conference or focus group. They can provide tables, chairs, sofas, and stools—almost anything you need to make your attendees feel at home and ensure the session runs smoothly. If you have a van, they offer free collection from their many depots, but also have easy and quick delivery which is far more useful for London.
- The London Printing Co.
The London Printing Co. has been providing commercial printing services throughout Central London for more than ten years and will be able to deliver anything you may need in time for a focus group. They can print everything from small business cards or forms with letterheads to exhibition displays, flyers and informational leaflets. They can work will all designs or help you create your own, and will give you a choice of finishes and papers to work with so all of your stationery is consistent.
Pros and Cons of Focus Groups in London
London can be a great place for almost any event, with its endless supply of venues and fun activities to do, not to mention the huge pool of people to choose from for a focus group. However, logistically London can be challenging and there are a few things to consider before settling on the city to host your event.
Pros
- Lots of venues
London is filled with every kind of venue imaginable, from historic halls and palaces to intimate bars, rooftop spaces and outdoor gardens. Most importantly, it’s the UK’s business hub, and you’ll find no shortage of meeting rooms and co-working spaces perfect for hosting a focus group.
- Lots of attractions
When people are in the capital, they love to make a day of it. There’s so much to see and do in the city, including seeing the sights, like the London Eye or Buckingham Palace, or heading to the West End for dinner and drinks. Your out-of-town participants will surely have a blast exploring London!
- The weather can be great
When London is sunny, the streets and parks come alive with people enjoying themselves. Companies take their work outdoors, and locals head to rooftop bars. Anyone visiting the city during summer will have a great time and also be able to see some outdoor seasonal events.
Cons
- It can be busy
Not only is London filled with tourists and locals on any given day, but its sheer population means that everything is in high demand, which includes attractions and venues. On many dates, it can be very tricky to find somewhere available.
- It’s expensive
Unsurprisingly, the capital is a lot pricier than the rest of the UK. In fact, London was voted one of the most expensive cities in the world. This means you’ll pay a premium for many things, including venue hire, catering, transport and eating out.
- It’s big
London has excellent transport links. But if you are inviting people from outside the city who aren’t familiar with the capital, navigating London can be tricky, especially with the usual array of transport strikes, which can lead to people being late or getting lost.
Famous Locations in London
- Hyde Park
One of London’s best outdoor spaces, Hyde Park is a great place to relax, walk, cycle or hold an event. The park is huge and is popular in the summer when lots of events take place including live music, funfairs and food markets. Kensington Palace is on the west side of the park for a dose of history. For some exercise, you can hire a bike and cycle around the park and by the Serpentine, renting a pedalo while you’re there. There’s more than enough space for everyone, so it’s great for group get-togethers especially if you bring a picnic.
- The London Eye
One of the capital’s most iconic sights, the Eye is a fun break at any time of day or night and provides amazing views over the whole of London on a clear day. It’s perfect for a quick sightseeing trip, situated right next to the Houses of Parliament. The revolution only takes 30 minutes so you can even fit it into a lunch break.
- Camden Market
London has many markets but Camden is the most lively. Filled with hundreds of vintage cloth stalls, antique shops and other strange assortments, you can wander for hours discovering new things and picking up souvenirs. It also has an entire section just for the food market with stalls serving everything from Chinese to Italian and even dessert. The nearby canal is a peaceful place to stop for a drink and watch the boats float by.