Three London law firms discussing Sheffield move

Sheffield Council is speaking to three unnamed firms about potentially setting up offices in the city.

Details have been revealed following an event in the Law Society building in London last week in which a delegation from Sheffield met with legal services officials to discuss the potential benefits of relocation.

The council has contacted every top 100 legal firm to offer them the opportunity to relocate.

The ‘North Shoring’ campaign is promoting Sheffield as having cheaper office space than London and rival northern cities such as Leeds and Manchester, as well as highlighting the number of skilled graduates based in the city.

Sheffield Council deputy leader Leigh Bramall said: “We have the skills, talent and business environment set up to support successful businesses.”

Giles Searby, partner at HLW Keeble Hawson, a law firm already based in Sheffield, said: “Sheffield is a great place to open a law firm – with around 2,000 law graduates coming out of university there is a lot of talent to choose from. Having a high retention rate of students, we want to give that career path to the city’s graduates and students.

“I started my career in the City of London and moved to Sheffield 14 years ago. I have spent my time on the tube in London commuting to work and now I live in Sheffield I couldn’t go back – Sheffield can offer a fantastic lifestyle.”

Edward Highfield, director of Creative Sheffield, said: “With both universities being renowned for teaching in law, business studies, modern languages and finance, we have a large talent pool to offer to new firms wishing to expand here.”