Following a year of rapid growth, Portsmouth’s leading workspace, Lakeside North Harbour, has secured three new lettings.
Leading global investor, developer and long-term fund manager of core infrastructure assets, Equitix, has taken 1,182 sq ft of space, while BTS, an innovative consultancy specialising in the people side of strategy, has leased a 4,825 sq ft office. Children’s services charity Fair Ways, which moved its premises to Lakeside in early 2021, has signed a new deal for a larger office of 3,420 sq ft to accommodate its growth.
The new deals, led by Lakeside North Harbour’s agents Vail Williams and Lambert Smith Hampton, contribute to a strong year for Lakeside, which has welcomed a number of large and prominent organisations into its community since the start of the year. These include NHS Property Services, leading insurance broker Markerstudy Broking and life sciences and diagnostic equipment manufacturer Scienion.
Lakeside’s vibrant and diverse business community includes major international firms IBM, Virgin Media, Capita and AT&T, and boasts occupiers from a wide range of industries including maritime, accountancy, recruitment, technology and engineering.
Simon Bateman, Asset Manager at Lakeside North Harbour, commented:
“Lakeside’s latest deals reflect the growing demand for office space after the COVID-19 lockdowns, as well as our ability to deliver unique and innovative workspaces that cater for a range of different businesses and needs.
“This has been a year of rapid growth for Lakeside, as businesses seek quality office space that supports employee health and wellbeing and their ESG goals. We believe that it’s our unique offering, combining a social and collaborative business community with beautiful surroundings, alongside our commitment to wellbeing, sustainability and biodiversity that is attracting increasing numbers of businesses to Lakeside.”
The campus is known for its 130-acres of rural surroundings, including pockets of rugged woodland and a large lake. It offers wildlife walks around the site, outdoors working space and events designed around interacting with nature – all supporting employee wellbeing and productivity.
Gareth Webb, Managing Director at Fair Ways, said:
“We are delighted to be moving into Lakeside Building 1000. This move further demonstrates our continued commitment and desire to become the leading children’s services charity in the south of England, having won Employer of the Year at local Portsmouth Business Excellence Awards.
“Fair Ways specialise in Fostering, Education, Residential, Mental Health and Family services and are constantly looking for good people to join our team.”
The BTS team has been working at Lakeside on a temporary basis since May this year within the flexible working space in Regus on the site.
Securing a permanent space means BTS’ operations and support teams will be able to work alongside each other for the first time in over two years. BTS currently has around 30 people based at Lakeside, supporting its global execution, with plans for growth and recruitment.
Kelly Fletcher, Head of BTS Portsmouth, commented:
“As a professional services business, people come first, and our culture is at the heart of our business. When looking for new office premises we wanted something that could cater to the hybrid needs of our employees both in the physical space but also from a sustainability and social perspective.
“The Lakeside site offers all modern business essentials whilst not neglecting safety, security, and inclusivity for its occupiers. When comparing Lakeside to other premises, the natural setting and ease of location was also unrivalled locally.
“Our team has already enjoyed working on site – Lakeside feels like a natural home now for us.”
