Legal giant seals deal for city site

10:24am Wednesday 7th May 2008

Comments (2)   Have your say »

MAJOR south coast law firm Thomas Eggar is to make its debut in Southampton by taking over rival Blake Lapthorn Tarlo Lyons' city centre offices, the Daily Echo can reveal.

Thomas Eggar will spend £3m refurbishing BLTL's Brunswick Place offices, right, as the first step in creating a 150-strong branch here.

Bosses at BLTL sanctioned the deal because they plan to relocate its Southampton and Fareham offices into New Kings Court, Chandler's Ford, which has space for 300.

As previously reported by the Daily Echo, Thomas Eggar abandoned plans to buy a Southampton firm for up to £15m after finding no suitable candidates.

Ranked third on the south coast by law industry bible the Legal 500, Thomas Eggar last year generated profits of £10.7m on a £34.2m turnover.

Numbers one and two - Shoosmiths and BLTL - already have significant bases in the city.

Thomas Eggar aims to target the corporate and commercial property sectors as well as the county's high net-worth clients that have already attracted a succession of financial giants to open branches in the city.

Managing partner Tony Edwards said: "We have acquired the freehold and are putting in a £3m investment for a major refit.

"This is the first cold start we have attempted but because of the strength and size of the market in Hampshire it's a place we have to be.

"Southampton is a key part of the region. It's now re-establishing its commercial centre status and we need to be there."

BLTL managing partner Walter Cha said: "This is a hugely exciting development which will strengthen our ability to offer a high quality and innovative service to our clients and provide a superb place for us to work."