An expanding law firm which advises businesses across the South has capped off back-to-back record growth with the relocation of a branch office.
Turnover at Graeme Quar & Co, headquartered in Fareham, near Southampton, has risen to 39% over the financial year and follows an increase of 37% increase previously.
The commercial law practice, which has created five extra jobs over the past 12 months, has seen instructions come in from current and new clients.
Now, in order to meet increased demand from the A3 corridor up to London, the firm has moved from The Spain in Petersfield to a larger building at Lyndum House, 12 High Street, a few hundred metres away.
Graeme Quar, the founder and working owner, said: “The move makes sense because we can flex up here and are well positioned to service the legal requirements of business along the A3 corridor and in London.
“The past two years have seen phenomenal growth and this is down to a dedicated, motivated, committed and trusted team who repeatedly deliver for clients with a blend of legal expertise and commercial understanding of their financial, time and competitive pressures.
“There is also the fact that we are seeing a lot more transactional activity on commercial property as the economy starts to recover from the longest recession-recovery period in more than a century.
“Things are most definitely on the up – rather than sit on cash which is earning next-to-nothing because of 300-year low interest rates and niggling inflation, some companies are now choosing to spend on property and hiring new staff.
“In turn that generates work for us in relation to acquisitions, disposals and leases, as well as employment contracts.”
The 15-strong firm, in its 20th year, advises companies, small-to-medium enterprises, partnerships and sole traders.
Graeme’s comments resonated with newly-released figures from the Office of National Statistics, which showed the economy expanded by 0.6% in the second quarter of 2013.
New appointees include Kate Bradbury, a specialist in franchise agreements and other commercial contracts, Michael Dalton, a senior commercial property and business solicitor, corporate law consultant Lorna Palmer and Robert Harris, a consultant solicitor with 40 years’ experience in commercial property.
As previously reported, the firm was recently selected by TEAM, Britain’s largest network of independent recruitment agencies, as its preferred adviser for its south region.
Deal highlights included advising on the £6m sale of one of London’s most iconic shops from the late 1960s – the Beatles’ Apple Boutique in Baker Street.
Graeme Quar & Co’s head office is at Orchard House, Furzehall Farm, Wickham Road, Fareham.
Meanwhile Graeme, 55, is in training for an eight-day trek in early November across the Simien Mountains, Ethiopia, to raise funds for the Send a Cow charity, which marks 25 years of life-transforming work for rural families in Africa.
The trip, with Graeme paying the cost of travel, involves walking up to 10 hours a day, with demanding ridge routes taking in several 4,000m-plus peaks. To donate, visit www.justgiving.com/trekgraeme
