Led by Uber and Airbnb, the sharing economy is changing the way we buy goods and services. Your neighbour could be your Uber driver tomorrow. That car that has been parked on the driveway day after day, collecting dust? You could take it out for a spin with HiyaCar.
The idea behind the sharing economy is that owners rent out something they are not using, such as a car, house or bicycle to a stranger. The system allows resources to be used to their full potential, as well as giving the owner a chance to make extra money with little to no hassle.
London has emerged as one of the world’s leading hubs for “sharing economy” companies, with hundreds of new startups opening their virtual doors every day.
If you want to make the most of London and experience first-hand the ever-evolving landscape of the sharing economy, why not try some of the brand-new services popping up? Not only will these startups make your life easier, but they will also help you save money. It’s a win-win situation!
Airbnb
Everyone and their mother has heard about Airbnb. It’s the enfant prodige of the sharing economy, the startup that has revolutionised the hospitality industry by allowing owners to rent out their spare rooms.
Airbnb is not only an affordable travelling accommodation option. Through facilitating access to distinctive spaces and local culture, Airbnb enables travellers to “feel at home anywhere you go in the world”.
Your host is so much more than a landlord. They can also be your local guide, introducing you to local customs and culture, and helping you enjoy the city as a local would, steering you away from tourist traps.
From a water tower in Kennington to a hipster one bedroom flat in Shoreditch, listings in London really have it all. Don’t fancy staying at the Hilton next time you’re in London? Check Airbnb out here.
Stasher
We’ve all been there – trying to enjoy the last day of your holiday, but weighed down by your luggage. Another startup catering to travellers and city breakers, Stasher connects tourists with hotels and local businesses where they can safely store their bags, allowing them to explore the city freely.
The service is ideal for those who find themselves early for an Airbnb check-in and have a few hours to kill until their flight. Priced at only £6 per item for 24 hours, the service is 50% cheaper than traditional left-luggage facilities in train stations.
Launched by three uni friends in 2015, the award-winning startup now has over 600 luggage storage locations worldwide, or StashPoints as they’re nicknamed, and more than 150 in London alone.
Next time you’re in town, why not store your bags with them instead of wasting the rest of your day in a café?
Parcelly
Say no more to delivery slips, wasted Saturday mornings and lunchtime queues. Get your parcels delivered wherever you want, whenever you want…even when you’re on holiday!
Thanks to Parcelly’s mobile app, you can make an online order, sit back, relax, and receive your packages stress-free at a convenient location of your choice. You simply need to pick from one of their nationwide 1,700+ pick up points, add a Parcelly ID to your name and use the location’s address as your own. Handy, eh?
Too Good to Go
London can be an expensive city, especially when you’re a tourist and you don’t know where to get the best deals. This is where startup Too Good To Go comes in.
They work by connecting cafes and restaurants who have leftover food they are going to get rid of, with hungry people who pay a discounted price and collect the food before it goes in the rubbish bin! From sushi rolls and chicken skewers to cakes and blueberry muffins, there’s something for everyone.
Saving money while doing a good deed? Count us in!
Vayable
What if we told you you could land anywhere in the world with no itinerary and still have the insider experience of someone who lives there?
Vayable enables users to book spontaneous experiences offered by local guides, like the Louvre in an Hour tour in Paris or a Eat Your Way Through Everything tour in New York. Their motto? If you are in Rome, live the Roman way, if you are elsewhere, live as they do there.
If you want to live like a local, and dread the thought of an uninspired walking tour, then Vayable is the perfect place for you.
Time to book your next adventure!
