Bruntwood signs law firm to Portland Street

Semple Fraser LLP has completed a move to a larger office in Manchester city centre.

The law firm signed to a 2,400 sq ft office at 1 Portland Street, owned by Bruntwood, and is moving from a serviced office on the 14th floor of Lowry House at 17 Marble Street in Manchester, which it opened 12 months ago.

Ewan Thomson, a real estate partner previously based in the firm's Edinburgh office, relocated to Manchester last year to head up the new team assisted by senior partner Simon Etchells.

Alister Fraser, managing partner, said: "The market is improving and the last 6 months has seen a real upturn in the volume of high value transactions throughout the UK that we have been involved in. We are also seeing a continued trend for our specialist expertise and services. Situated in a prime city centre location, our new office has the capacity to further grow the already successful Manchester based service and will not only provide the space we need now, but has room for our planned further expansion."

Kathryn Jump and Lisa Tye were also appointed this week as directors of Semple Fraser's planning group based in Manchester, joining the firm from DWF.

Semple Fraser expanded its Manchester base with John Hyde being recruited in May this year from DLA as head of retail, with significant involvement in the occupier, investment and development fields.

Director Sue McGorian and solicitor Heather Manning also joined the property team, and Peter Hall joined the litigation team in Manchester earlier this year.

A number of solicitors also moved to Manchester from the firm's Glasgow and Edinburgh offices.