Sheffield launches bid to entice southern legal services firms

Creative Sheffield, the economic development arm of Sheffield City Council, has launched its North Shoring initiative, which aims to attract legal services firms from London and the South East to locate in Sheffield.

This is an approach that will see the Invest Sheffield team speak directly to legal services firms about the benefits of a Sheffield base.

Although North Shoring (the process of moving certain aspects of a business up North) isn’t a new concept, the Invest Sheffield team will be keen to promote its benefits as the appeal of Sheffield to southern-based firms has never been this strong.

Cllr Leigh Bramall, Deputy Leader of Sheffield City Council & Cabinet Member for Business, Skills & Development, said: “By attracting more legal services firms to Sheffield and creating jobs and importantly career opportunities, we can attract and retain the talent in the city.

“Sheffield has two world class universities and 21,000 graduates enrol here each year. We undoubtedly have an amazing lifestyle offer for people who love big city life and the great outdoors, and this is something we are seeing as key in the decision-making process of firms looking to relocate outside of London.

“Having Grade A city centre office space available, excellent transport links and affordable living costs in highly sought-after areas that don’t push out the talented people who want to live and work here, makes us one of the most cost-effective cities in the UK for businesses looking to relocate.

“Office take-up in Sheffield is booming in light of major new developments and an upturn in confidence in the market, with office take-up reaching just under half a million square foot in 2015.”

The Invest Sheffield North Shoring initiative has already generated support from existing legal services firms based in the city.

Richard May, partner at DLA Piper, one of the largest business law firms in the world says of their Sheffield city centre based office: “DLA is proud to have its roots in Sheffield and remains committed to the region. There is a wealth of entrepreneurial flair which highlights the diversity of Sheffield’s offering and the spirit that sets us apart.”

The legal services sector in Sheffield is currently growing with big names such as Fragomen Worldwide setting up its second UK office here, Tapestry Compliance planning to double in size and Wake Smith Solicitors having just this week relocated its 100 staff into the city centre.

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