The Best Locations for a Focus Group
Do you have a new product idea but need more market research to stay ahead of the curve, and then run a focus group to get honest opinions? Maybe there’s a marketing campaign you are thinking about launching, a new line of clothing, or fundraising strategies you want to try. No matter the purpose of a focus group, its location can make or break it.
Imagine being asked to share your honest opinions in a cold, sterile room with uncomfortable chairs—not exactly inspiring, is it? Don’t settle for boring, cookie-cutter facilities. Giggster features some of the finest focus group locations, from cosy industrial lofts to modern studios with comfortable lounge areas, that will get attendees talking. Make it something that people would want to attend rather than dread participating.
Just like setting the scene for a play, you want everything to be just right so the participants can perform their best. Check out our listings on the Giggster app and discover a unique venue that will help everyone feel relaxed and open up. Book your focus group location today!
Focus Group Venues Curated by Giggster
Set your budget and tell us what you need for a focus group venue. Whether you want to do it in one of the UK’s major cities or the countryside, we have the perfect spot that aligns with your vision and fits your budget.
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Meeting rooms will always be a favoured option, but forget those basic, white spaces with a huge table in the middle. Located in central London near the iconic London Eye is a modern meeting room with plenty of shrubbery, an exposed brick that gives it a rustic vibe, and a minimalist interior design. It’s perfect for in-depth interviews, focus groups, conferences, and more.
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If a blank canvas space is what you're after, a multipurpose room in Leeds is the place to be. Look for a place that's white, bright, and airy that you can transform into a dark and intimate setting.
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Skip the typical office space and get inspired in an urban oasis in Edinburgh. Book a quiet location away from distractions, which features a garden and lawn, two kitchens, an outdoor terrace with a fireplace, multiple rooms, and more—what else could you possibly need?
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Can’t find a place with viewing facilities or separate rooms for the groups? You can set up one in a bright office space in Norwich or a large dance studio with high ceilings and lots of natural light. Create different sections in the room to cater to your needs.
Plan an Amazing Focus Group Starting at Just £16/hour
Exceptional Variety & Quality: Forget endless online searches, scrolling through social media, or contacting multiple venues. Giggster features 3185 focus group locations across the UK and beyond. And they’re not traditional venues—you’ll find unique and creative spots you won’t find anywhere else.
Hassle-Free Booking: No one has time for complicated booking processes, and that’s where Giggster stands out. Search by location, date, the type of space you need for the focus group, and the number of people you’re expecting, pay for as low as £16/hour, and contact the host directly if you have questions—all these are done on the user-friendly Giggster app, and your booking is complete within minutes.
24-Hour Free Cancellation Policy: Plans change? Do you need to reschedule or cancel your booking? You can do so within 24 hours of confirmation and get a full refund, provided the booking is made at least 48 hours before the event.
Platform Protections: We want to ensure you feel safe and secure when you book a space with us like Grade I Georgian Building in Fitzroy Square, which is why we offer optional protection packages. Get the coverage you need against property damage, disruptions, or liability so you can focus on the event without worrying about all those “what ifs.”
Choosing the Right Type of Location for a Focus Group
Before you fall in love with the first meeting room or office space you see, you must know your options so you can make a more informed decision and not regret it later. It’s all about creating a relaxed and comfortable environment where participants feel free to share their thoughts, so don’t be afraid to think outside the box.
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Libraries – Quiet Focus and Big Insights. Quiet, conducive to deep thinking, and a scholarly atmosphere—these and more are what libraries guarantee when you use them as your next focus group location. And if you need additional ideas or information, you’re surrounded by books and other resources to dive deeper into any topic and solve any puzzle that comes your way.
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Offices and Co-working Spaces – Get Down to Business. What offices and co-working spaces bring to the table are a professional setting and a productive vibe. The minimalist look, open-plan designs, skylights, large windows, and comfortable chairs will quickly get the participants in the mood to think and understand complex issues.
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Restaurants with Private Rooms – Discover the Perfect Recipe for Success. A relaxed atmosphere, comfy seating, and good food—you’re sure to have a meaningful and engaging group discussion with all these elements combined in one location. Ditch the noisy and crowded main dining room and book a private room where everyone can focus away from distractions and noise.
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University or College Campuses – Where Learning Takes Place. If you’re targeting younger people or students, you can’t go wrong with a university or college campus. Plus, these places have a unique energy and offer different spaces, so you get to pick whether you want to gather in one of the student centres, classrooms, laboratories, or theatre-style rooms.
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Art Galleries and Museums – Witness Creative Ideas Flow. If you think more inspiration is what your group needs, leave the confines of a meeting room and head to one of the UK’s art facilities and museums. With art pieces, historical artefacts, and cultural items around you, it’s a real feast for the mind.
Focus Group Location Must-Haves
Where you hold your focus group discussion is almost as important as what you talk about. You want it to be a place where participants feel comfortable sharing their opinions and thoughts freely, so let’s dive into the absolutely must-have for a focus group setting you should create.
Is it quiet and private? A quiet, private room or space is non-negotiable. You need a place that’s free from outside noise like construction, traffic, or chatty neighbours. It can be in the middle of a bustling city, but as long as it has good soundproofing and no one from outside can overhear the conversation, you’re good to go.
Comfort is paramount. How can they think when they’re uncomfortable and can’t wait for the discussion to be over so they can get away from that rock-hard chair they’ve been sitting on for a couple of hours? Think about ergonomics.
Can they reach the location quickly? There’s no point in booking a serene venue with fancy seating if it takes a long time to get there and participants have to transfer to multiple trains and buses. Pick a place that’s easy to get to and is close to transport hubs.
Plan a Focus Group that Works
Whether you’re an experienced event planner or organizing a focus group for the first time, you’ll immediately know that the process isn’t a walk in the park. If you don’t know where to start, don’t worry—we’ve got you covered in this helpful guide.
Figure Out The “Why” – Before you do anything, you must know why you’re holding a focus group. What questions do you want to answer, and what information do you want to get from the participants?
Who will Participate in the Discussion? – After the “why,” it’s time to determine the “who.” Who are the people whose opinions matter most? They are your target audience. The clearer you are about them, the easier it will be to recruit the right people.
Make a Discussion Guide – You can’t run an effective focus group without a guide, which will serve as your roadmap. Of course, the plan for the conversation isn’t a rigid script; it must be a set of topics and open-ended questions you want to ask and cover.
Have You Picked a Moderator? – Think of the moderator as the facilitator of the discussion. Guiding the conversation, asking questions that are thought-provoking, and making sure everyone gets a chance to share their thoughts are just some of their roles. They can have strong feelings about the subject, but they should stay neutral and not push their own opinions on the group.
Focus Group Expenses to Plan For
Focus groups aren't like those grand corporate affairs that call for huge ballrooms or conference centres. They're usually just a small group of people and can take place in a private room or studio. Although you won’t need to book a large, expensive space, there are still several expenses you must plan for to avoid surprises.
Pay for participants’ time.
The more participants you recruit and the longer the focus group, the higher the incentives. They can be in the form of cash, gift cards, or other rewards. No matter how you want to compensate them, be competitive and fair—you want people to feel valued.
Have you booked a venue?
If you’re not using a meeting room in your office building, you’ll need to rent a space. Focus groups are welcome at any location, be it a unique British library, a quaint community centre, a conference room in a hotel, or a quiet space in a restaurant, but you have to consider the rental fee.
Should you invite a professional guide?
You don’t have to worry about this if you’ll be moderating the focus group yourself. But if you’re hiring a professional—which is a good idea, especially if there are complex topics to cover—you must factor in their fees.
Plan Your Focus Group with Giggster
Do you want to get honest, insightful feedback? The right environment can make all the difference. Ditch those stuffy offices and find focus group locations for rent that inspire on the Giggster app. Browse our listings and book your dream venue today in just a few clicks.
