Member Article

Clear Law purchases office in Timber Wharf development

Office space in Manchester’s emerging Timber Wharf, Urban Splash, development has been purchased and renovated by Clear Law, a local leading legal firm

Manchester, September 2016- Clear Law, an expanding legal practice in Manchester, has secured 5,000sq ft of office space in the newly restored Timber Wharf Urban Splash premises situated in the city centre’s vibrant Castlefield area. This property, purchased for £1.2 million, marks the first time Clear Law has acquired their own workplace, having always rented in the past, following a steady 5 year growth period. Hannah Bardsley, Manager of the New Business Department at Clear Law, explains the solicitors’ reasoning for selecting this particular location:

“It’s important for us to be central in the city and in a spot exhibiting character to reflect our culture. The Timber Wharf building is quite unusual compared to other city centre offices. We were particularly drawn to the large, 2, 500 sq ft, outdoor terrace overlooking the canal. It’s now been transformed into an unconventional space our employees will be accessing for work and socialising.“

Prior to relocating into their new space, from their current location in Old Trafford’s Atherton House, Clear Law has invested £500,000 into revamping the space. Their first step was demolishing the entire interior to adapt new technology throughout the building. Clear Law’s use of emerging IT, is being contributed a key driver in leading their firm into this growth phase, and will be adapted into their new workplace, as Andrew Kwan, Manager of Clear Law’s Legal Department, explains:

“Clear Law is a legal firm that’s utilises IT to reach results efficiently and allow more time to be spend with clients. Our new office features IT displays for target information, a design conducive to maximising productivity and sharing of information and best practices; all wrapped within the building which has been sensitively restored.“

And with the demo, the firm was able to tailor a floor plan that facilitates internal progression. Kwan, says the revolutionary layout recognises employee growth and encourages internal development.

“Our staff has grown from 40 in 2011 to now 85 strong. To manage the increasing number of employees, we’ve introduced career roadmaps that are actually visible in the design of the new office. When an employee advances in their role, they move to a more elite workspace; either sideways to join a more senior team or upwards to our highest-ranking team. This scheme allows employees to take control of their career development and acts as a means for management to monitor advancement.“

Kwan adds, to further encourage staff to move forward, additional incentives such as a gym membership, extra holidays and funding for external training are also introduced at various stages within the roadmaps. Another consideration for Clear Law was furnishing their new space to reflect the firm’s confident, modern, yet quirky persona. Bardsley says, they’ve contracted Manchester’s leading spacial specialists Ferrious and Chalkspace to achieve this.

“Creating a really positive working environment for all employees was our main priority. We particularly focused on generating an ergonomic atmosphere that matched the tone of our business. Desk lamps and soft lighting were introduced throughout the building, to provide ambient lighting, for those working into the evenings. The new office also features bold statement pieces, including a unique collection of plants from Dutch designers,Vondom, and striking uniformed hard wearing flooring from, Bolon, a Swedish company. Completing our interior, while acknowledging the company’s roots, is an array of striking black and white images of Manchester from Jan Chlebik, a renown local photographer.“

To match Clear Law’s new start-of-the-art workplace, and coincide with their growth period, they’ve undergone a full re-branding, costing £60k. This involved re-positioning the brand into three separate trading styles, with clearly defined brand guidelines for each, in order to better organise and communicate various aspects of their business. Clear Law will also boasts a new website with a fresh logo with supporting design elements.

Their full new identity will be revealed and toasted to at their exclusive open house event on September 23rd.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by e3creative .