Shoosmiths chooses permanent Leeds offices

LAW firm Shoosmiths has chosen its new home in Leeds city centre.

It has taken 9,720 sq ft on at Bruntwood’s Platform redevelopment above Leeds Station.

The firm has signed a 10-year lease on the site, which is the first pre-let for the building. The development is due to complete in May 2017.

In the interim from 1 December, Shoosmiths will be based at West One on Wellington Street.

The firm recently recruited three partners for the new office, including office head, Paul Stokey, and announced the recruitment of two further partners.

Paul Stokey, Leeds office head, commented: “We are very pleased to announce the Platform building will be our home in Leeds. We are sure that its central location will complement our clients’ needs and the firm’s ambitious growth strategy – taking a larger share of the domestic market and growing our practice organically through carefully planned expansion of our teams and services across locations; in response to client demand.

“This office will be very important in our drive to create a Northern hub of legal expertise for Shoosmiths’ clients; with our Leeds and Manchester offices working closely together. We anticipate that we will be recruiting specialists in key fields such as corporate, real estate and commercial disciplines to help us fulfil that goal.”

Craig Burrow, director at Bruntwood added: “Having worked on Platform for a number of years, I’m thrilled to secure our first letting with Shoosmiths and finally see this building brought back to life and kick start the regeneration of this area.

“Platform is going to be a major development in the type of workspace that Bruntwood offers, creating an environment where companies and individuals can network and connect with each other, providing added impetus to business creativity and growth.

“Connectivity of all kinds – physical, digital and social – is the core idea behind Platform. This reinvention of the former British Railway offices will deliver 120,000 sq ft of space, offering co-working desks, studio offices and larger, bespoke workspaces tailored to meet the needs of large businesses, small and growing companies and individual entrepreneurs, all within a shared environment.”