Why People Love Working in Stratford

At Stratford Cross, you can explore something new every day. Nestled on the edge of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park near East Bank and Westfield Stratford City shopping centre, our neighbourhood is surrounded by some of East London's most incredible experiences across culture, entertainment and sport, making it a vibrant workplace hub.

To learn what people enjoy about working in Stratford, we hit the streets to ask employees about their experiences. Discover what they said below.

Working in Stratford means never having to venture far for anything. Whether running errands, shopping or grabbing a delicious meal, workers can do it all on their lunch break. "I enjoy the fact that you've got everything on your doorstep, essentially. You've got restaurants, you've got shops," noted a Stratford Cross office worker.

Access to green space is another reason Stratford is a lunchtime oasis. Covering 560 acres, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park features grassy areas, waterways and a vast network of cycling and walking routes. This opportunity to become immersed in nature at a moment's notice is a significant draw for workers in Stratford, as another employee commented: "I love going out at lunchtime, going for runs and walks around all the grasslands that are here."

The park also features destinations offering exciting experiences, including the London Stadium, which hosts major sports events and live music concerts, the custom-built ABBA Voyage arena and East Bank, the UK's newest cultural quarter and home to Sadler's Wells East, V&A East, BBC, London College of Fashion UAL and UCL East.

The 5-9 follows the 9-5, and the workforce is spoilt for choice with things to do in Stratford after hours. When we asked people on the street what they thought the best after-work activity in the area was, they each picked out something different, proving just how diverse the options are. "I would say that's meeting up with friends for a drink after work, going shopping," said one employee, which was echoed by another due to the number of options. "Going for a quick drink with work colleagues – you know, it's a nice place to have a choice," they said.

Meanwhile, someone else remarked, "It's a pleasure after work to have so many options…there's an Everyman Cinema, and it's very close to where I work. I definitely want to try that one out." The cinema is located at the foot of The Turing Building, offering occupiers of this landmark destination VIP movie experiences just moments from their desks.

Someone else was "really excited for Sadler's Wells to open." The fourth venue from the world-renowned dance organisation, Sadler's Wells East began welcoming audiences in February 2025 for immersive productions across various dance disciplines.

Whether going out after work or heading home, workers can enjoy an easy commute from Stratford. The area boasts excellent transport links, connecting this corner of East London with the rest of the capital. Five tube lines operate from Stratford Underground station, namely the Central, DLR, Elizabeth, Jubilee and Mildmay lines, making it one of the best-connected stations in London. An individual we spoke to noted, "[The] transport links are great; you've got Stratford International as well." This railway station operates lightning-fast connections via HS1, with journey times to St Pancras International taking just seven minutes.

These myriad transport links provide unparalleled convenience, ensuring it's easy to get around. Having various routes at hand is something workers value, as one of them reflected: "If your train's delayed, there's probably another way to get home." It also means they can stay connected to Central London. "Because it's so close to everything, if I wanted to go more in the city, I can."

A place to eat, drink, shop and play, Stratford has it all: world-class venues, tranquil green space and excellent transport links. All these aspects contribute to the exciting energy that the employees we spoke to cited as part of Stratford's appeal. "There's always something going on, lots of people, very accessible shops and great food," mentioned one person. Another worker whose company relocated to Stratford stated, "Moving here, I've seen a massive difference in just having that kind of vibrant atmosphere and having people around and things. [It] makes a huge difference for sure."

So, why do people enjoy working in Stratford? One of the individuals we spoke to summed it up perfectly: "It's just a nice place to be."

Interested in locating your business or organisation's workforce in Stratford? Explore leasing opportunities at The Turing Building, a sustainable workplace destination approved for education and office use in the heart of Stratford Cross.