HBJ Gateley Wareing sets sail for Ship Canal House

LAW firm HBJ Gately Wareing has chosen Ship Canal House on King Street as the new permanent home for its Manchester office.

The Birmingham-based firm, which moved into the North West when it acquired a big chunk of Halliwells’ practice hours before the debt-laden firm was placed into administration, will move into the historic building on September 25. It has taken 31,000sq ft of space.

Its 200 staff will occupy the first four floors of the building, which for many years was home to another Manchester law firm, Cobbetts.

The law firm’s departure from the building formerly occupied by Halliwells at Hardman Square, Spinningfields was not unexpected, due to both its size, and cost.

Rod Waldie, senior office partner of HBJ Gateley Wareing in Manchester said: “‘The building has recently been completely refurbished and HBJ Gateley Wareing will become the largest occupier.

“The space includes at third floor level the listed boardrooms which were originally used by The Ship Canal Company and which will now form a very impressive reception area and seminar room for HBJ Gateley Wareing.”

Mr Waldie added: “The move to a new office marks the dawn of a new era for HBJ Gateley Wareing in the city. We are all looking forward to the move to Ship Canal House which will help to establish the HBJ Gateley Wareing brand in the city and the North West.

“The combined strength of our business now provides a formidable national commercial legal practice for the benefit of our clients and staff.”

Sarah Cooper at Catalyst Capital, the asset manager for Ship Canal House, says of the deal: “We are delighted to welcome HBJ Gateley Wareing to Ship Canal House and look forward to them taking occupation in September. Ship Canal House represents a fantastic address and quality Grade A building for the firm’s first dedicated office in Manchester.”

GVA Grimley advised Catalyst Capital. King Sturge in Manchester advised HBJ Gateley Wareing on the office move. CBRE acted as joint agents.

Meanwhile, highly-regarded former Halliwells banking partner Dean Gormley has joined Nabarro to lead its Sheffield banking practice.

Mr Gormley trained at Eversheds before joining Halliwells in Manchester in 2006 and was made a partner later that year.