Weightmans finally gets over line into Plaza

Office take-up in Liverpool city centre has received a welcome boost with completion of the 94,000 sq ft letting to law firm Weightmans at Bruntwood's Plaza.

After more than a year of rumour and negotiation Weightmans has signed a 15-year lease, one of the largest ever for Bruntwood, at an undisclosed rent.

Bruntwood has invested £24m in the Plaza since it bought the former Littlewoods headquarters on Old Hall Street in 2003.

Weightmans will move from India Buildings, Water Street, to the Plaza. Earlier this year, Weightmans acquired rival Mace & Jones, taking its staff level to more than 1,000. The law firm will occupy the ground, first and second floors and is scheduled to move in July 2012.

David Lewis, head of the 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."

David Guest, Liverpool director of Bruntwood, said: "This is such a significant letting, not just for Bruntwood, but Liverpool and the North West and was hotly contested between landlords in the region."

Colin Forshaw, head of sales for Bruntwood, said: "We are thrilled Weightmans chose the Plaza, as the firm's new base. As one of our most popular buildings, it continues to attract a wealth of companies, large and small, looking for the very best office suites."

According to CB Richard Ellis, take-up in Liverpool city centre in the first half of 2011 was just 37,330 sq ft. Bruntwood said it was the largest office letting in the North West this year and the largest in Liverpool for six years.

Matthews & Goodman advised Weightmans. CB Richard Ellis and DTZ are letting agents on the Plaza.