Liverpool corporate law firm Weightmans has signed up to take 94,000 sq ft of office space at The Plaza in Old Hall Street – the city’s biggest private sector letting in six years.

In a deal first revealed by LDP Business in June, the firm’s 550 lawyers and support staff will move from their current headquarters in India Buildings early in 2012.

It is also one of the largest lettings in the history of Plaza owner Bruntwood, which has spent £24m refurbishing the former Littlewoods headquarters.

It is the city’s biggest private sector office letting since the 130,000 sq ft deal that saw another law firm – Hill Dickinson – move to nearby St Paul’s Square.

David Lewis, head of Weightmans’ Liverpool office, said: “This move will be the beginning of a new chapter for the Liverpool office – reflecting our confidence in the business and our determination to provide an excellent working environment for our people and flagship headquarters from where we can welcome and service clients.”

Weightmans has been in existence since 1827 and has been in its current home since 2001. It has signed a 15-year lease at The Plaza.

During the final stages of negotiations, Weightmans’ merger with Mace and Jones was struck and this meant the enlarged business would need additional floorspace.

Andrew Butterworth, director of sales at Bruntwood, said: “We are thrilled Weightmans chose the Plaza as the firm’s new base.

“This is a particularly significant letting as it was hotly contested between landlords in the region and even more so being the largest in the North West this year and one of Bruntwood’s biggest ever signings.”

Property agents at Matthews & Goodman advised Weightmans throughout negotiations as they considered their options.
The firm’s David Colvin led the search to find the law practice a new home.

He said: “A variety of properties were judged by the usual criteria of suitability, cost and location, and The Plaza came out as clear favourite.”