“Put your arms around professional services,” urges Mazars chief

Inward investment chiefs in Nottingham need to “put their arms” around professional services firms and make sure everything is being done to encourage professional services firms to stay in Nottingham city centre – that’s according to one heavyweight of the local sector.

The call is being made by Alistair Wesson, East Midlands managing partner at Mazars, after law firm Eversheds revealed it has to relocate its city centre offices at the end of November. With Eversheds’ lease-break fast approaching, the firm recently commented that it is determined to remain in the city and is currently searching for new premises within Nottingham.

Alistair said: “The news that Eversheds is committing itself to Nottingham city centre despite having to change offices is welcomed. Such relocations have often seen top firms being left with no choice but to leave the city and that is why more needs to be done to find the business suitable premises.

Eversheds begins Nottingham office hunt

“Mazars was fortunate. We found our premises in the heart of the professional services quarter on the top two floors of Park View House, 58 The Ropewalk, relatively easily – but we know that other businesses struggle.

Over the past decade, Nottingham has lost many firms, and many others have made the decision to move out of the city altogether.

Wesson added: “The professional services sector is worth £396m per annum to the Nottingham economy and supports thousands of jobs, making up 24 per cent of employment in the city.

“We want more to be done to make sure the city continues its excellent reputation as a centre of professional services. Much has been made lately of the drive towards graduate retention, and we know from experience that young people want to work in city centres.

“By having a strong, central professional services offering, Nottingham will give itself the best chance possible of not only attracting the best talent – but keeping it.”