Former Halliwells tenants seek new homes
A NUMBER of firms which sub-let space at Halliwells’ Manchester office have been forced to find alternative premises, after the law firm’s demise.
Manchester-based corporate finance boutique Ford Campbell sub-let the entire 10,000 sq ft vacant second floor of Halliwells’ 178,000 sq ft 3 Hardman Square headquarters in a deal announced in January.
It shared the space with Campbell Woolley – a general accountancy firm which demerged from Ford Campbell two years ago.
However, both practices moved out of the building on Monday, the day before Halliwells appointed administrators.
Tony Ford, founder of Ford Campbell told TheBusinessDesk: “It has been very disruptive, particularly as we’d only just moved in.
“Halliwells reneged on the agreement with us. It’s very frustrating and will be costly in terms of staff being disrupted by moving twice in a few months and also in that when we left our previous office we sold all the furniture.”
He said Ford Campbell’s team of 80 were now located across three serviced offices in Manchester, until a new permanent location is found.
“The new office will be on a par with Hardman Square,” he said.
Turnaround fund NorthEdge, which had rented a 2,000 sq ft office from Halliwells since its formation 12 months ago, has also temporarily relocated to the Hilton Street offices of Vision Support Services – a company co-owned by NorthEdge partner Dan Wright.
Mr Wright told TheBusinessDesk.com and that NorthEdge intended to continue its commercial relationship with the same ex-Halliwells partners who are part of the corporate team that joined HBJ Gateley Wareing.
“As a client, I don’t care what the firm is called, it’s the people who are important,” he said.
Insurance firm Ecclesiastical, which sub-let 5,000 sq ft of 3 Hardman Square on a 10-year lease at £28.50 per sq ft in February 2009, has had its lease reassigned and is staying put in the building.
