CORPORATE law firm Weightmans has agreed to take 90,000 sq ft of office space at Bruntwood’s Plaza development, in Liverpool city centre.

The firm, which earlier this year agreed a merger with rival Mace & Jones, currently has its Liverpool office in India Buildings, in Water Street.

It had been on the look-out for a new home for at least the last couple of years.

Property sources in the city told LDP Business that Weightmans had taken a close look at other locations in the city centre, including Rumford’s 20 Chapel Street development.

The Plaza, which was formerly the headquarters of the Littlewoods empire, has been refurbished to a high standard and will almost certainly be cheaper than the Grade A accommodation at 20 Chapel Street.

David Guest, regional director at Bruntwood, said: “I can confirm that we have agreed terms in principle with Weightmans for 90,000 sq ft in The Plaza.

“Both parties are finalising legal documents for signature and exchange imminently.”

Weightmans and Mace & Jones officially merged on April 1, creating a total staff of more than 1,000 and generating more than £75m in fees per year.

More than 770 staff will be based in the North West, and the move further consolidates Weightmans’ position as a major national law firm with offices in Birmingham, Leicester, London and Manchester, as well as Liverpool.

Mace & Jones has offices in Liverpool, Manchester and Knutsford.

In February, Weightmans reported that its annual profits were up by more than 16%.

In 2008/09, the firm made just under £15m but, by the close of 2009/10, that had risen to just under £17.5m – a £2.5m uplift.

The average number of fee earners surged from 382 to 439.