Leicester is becoming the city of choice for ambitious companies looking to grow, according to one local property specialist.
The news comes as financial adviser Mattioli Woods announces plans to commit to the city by building a new 60,000 sq ft office on the site of the former New Walk Centre, insurance firm Hastings looks to move into its permanent site at St George’s Way in 2016 and with IBM has creating 300 high-tech jobs in the city.
Sam Sutton of Leicester-based Midlands commercial property specialists Phillips Sutton Associates said:
“We’re finding that Leicestershire is becoming an increasingly popular location for companies to relocate to. The city has quietly gone about its business and is perhaps the most advanced in the East Midlands economically. This is just one of the reasons we’ve seen Hastings Insurance and IBM choose Leicester as new bases.
Sam says that Phillips Sutton has been actively targeting companies in the banking/financial services, insurance, R&D, IT/tech, distribution/logistics/warehousing and manufacturing sectors who are looking to move or take additional space.
He said: “Leicester and the wider county has a lot to offer these companies as it is strategically placed with excellent access to all points of the compass, as well as offering a fantastic quality of life at a fraction of the cost of the south east.”
Sam says that although the latest £21m Regional Growth Fund round came to an end in March, it proved a great pole of attraction for businesses looking to move into Leicestershire.
He adds: “We’ve also worked very closely with Leicester City Council Inward Investment team, and have become their close allies to try and push forward the message that grants are available for companies looking to move into the city.”
“This, coupled with a highly skilled, affordable workforce, excellent availability of office, retail and industrial stock and high class graduates from two world class universities has meant that getting the message out there about moving to Leicestershire has been made much easier.”
