Hurst moves to King Street with growth in mind
NORTH West accountancy firm Hurst is on the move to new offices in Manchester city centre, but has ended its search for a new headquarters in south Manchester.
The entrepreneurial Stockport firm, which has had a Manchester presence for some years, is to move from Centurion House, Deansgate, to 82 King Street, where it has taken 3,035 sq ft. Zeus Capital recently moved to the same building – the former regional base for the Bank of England – while Rothschild’s office is also based there too.
Hurst’s corporate finance and practice development teams will be based there initially, along with a full-time receptionist, and the firm expects to double the size of the operation to around 25 in two years. As well as offices and a reception area on the seventh floor, there will be a boardroom and space for events.
There will also be a business lounge providing clients with access to workspace if they are visiting the city centre.
The move comes amid growing demand for its corporate finance and transactional tax expertise.
Meanwhile, Hurst has signed a five-year extension to the lease on its Stockport headquarters after considering a move to new premises. Instead of relocating – the firm did consider a move to the Cheadle Royal Business Park, the office, at Lancashire Gate, Tiviot Dale, will be refurbished this year. The revamp will see the creation of a floor dedicated to staff welfare, including dining and training areas, and a conference room which can accommodate 60 people.
More than 60 staff are based in Stockport office, including the audit, tax and payroll teams.
HURST currently has 72 staff and 12 partners. The plans for its Manchester and Stockport offices provide for an increase of 25 people over the next five years.
Chief executive Tim Potter said: “We are increasingly doing business out of Manchester alongside other city centre-based professionals, and having a stronger operation there will support us better in terms of our future goals.
“We looked at various locations for our new offices before choosing 82 King Street. While commercial development in the city centre goes on at a rapid rate, King Street remains at the core of business life.”
On the decision to stay at Tiviot Dale, he said: “We’re proud of our Stockport roots, and will continue to have a major presence in the town. Many of our colleagues and clients want to see us there, but the reality is that we are a North West firm doing business nationally and internationally, and having a significant office in Manchester city centre is an integral part of our evolution.”
HURST was advised on the 82 King Street letting by Andrew Timms at surveyors Edwards & Co and by Paul Walker of law firm JMW. Atul Bansal, of Sheila Bird Group, is advising on the fit-outs in Manchester and Stockport.
