Leading Scottish solicitors, Simpson & Marwick have taken office space in the centre of Newcastle for their English affiliate, Simpson & Marwick Solicitors LLP, in a deal agreed by DTZ, part of UGL Services, a division of UGL Limited (ASX: UGL).
The firm has acquired 2,874 sq ft on the fourth floor of Collingwood House, located in the heart of Newcastle’s commercial centre, on a 10 year lease. DTZ acted on behalf of Simpson & Marwick whilst Naylors Chartered Surveyors represented the landlord, Buccleuch.
Simpson & Marwick, which has offices in London as well as throughout Scotland, initially took serviced office accommodation on Collingwood Street on a flexible basis in mid 2011. However, after quickly establishing themselves in the region, the decision was made in December 2011 to acquire a larger and more permanent occupational solution, and DTZ was consequently retained to acquire new office premises on their behalf.
Michael O’Driscoll, Senior Surveyor, Office agency at DTZ in Newcastle, commented: “Simpson & Marwick required premises which could accommodate their long-term occupational needs and future growth aspirations. Collingwood House was the ideal solution for them, offering a prime location close to Central Station whilst providing a modern, open-plan floorplate.”
Collingwood House is a seven storey stone faced office building located a short distance from Newcastle Central Station with floor plates ranging from 2,189 sq ft to 2,874 sq ft. The Simpson & Marwick letting is the latest in a spate of recent activity which has also seen the arrival of
Randstad recruitment consultancy and Murgitroyd & Company to the building.
Lex Dowie, Partner at Simpson & Marwick Solicitors LLP, commented: “This move allows us to feel comfortable about future expansion, and has allowed us to create a very attractive and practical workspace for our staff, which is also very convenient for our colleagues from Scotland and our clients from all over England. The centre of Newcastle is the perfect base for a law firm which operates on both sides of the border as we do, and we are very happy with what we have created here.”
