The North East’s largest law firm has moved into its new home in Newcastle city centre after taking up prime space in new landmark office The Spark.
Womble Bond Dickinson (WBD) has relocated 420 staff to the prominent building at Newcastle Helix, having spent more than 20 years on the Quayside. The firm received £4m in funding from HSBC UK to support its move into the city, where it has created a sustainable workplace of the future to inspire its workforce.
Set over four floors of the buildings and designed to deliver an ‘activity-based’ working concept, the firm’s new base has soundproof booths, open group working areas, quiet working zones, traditional desks and office space as well as audio-visual kits to support hybrid and flexible working. The office layout has also been created to encourage walking between floors rather than taking the lift, and sustainable travel is a big factor in its central location, with workers being encouraged to cycle, walk, or run to their offices, which have secure storage, showers and lockers.
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Nigel Emmerson, partner and head of office at WBD Newcastle, said the move cements the law firm’s commitment to the North East, adding: “Newcastle Helix is already renowned as a hub of innovation in Europe and as a firm dedicated to embracing and driving innovation in the legal sector, its values aligned perfectly with ours making it an obvious choice for our new office. It’s fantastic to have moved into The Spark as we first made this commitment during the pandemic to play our part in the economic recovery of the region.
“We were heavily involved in the design as it was incredibly important that we created a space with green credentials that will evolve with us over time. Companies are under increasing pressure to meet sustainability quotas as building back greener tops the global agenda as we approach net zero, and as energy transition is a key area for us as part of our re:build Britain campaign, it’s only right that our new office fully incorporates the green agenda.
“The move also signals confidence in the North East and emphasises the demand for ‘offices of the future’ as businesses adapt to new ways of working and collaborating. It isn’t just about the quality of the design and build, it’s unique eco-systems that foster collaboration and support healthy workplace culture. The Spark provides a fantastic space for flexible, activity-based working and a city centre location that will benefit our people and clients.”
WBD’s search for new office accommodation and lease negotiations were carried out by BNP Paribas Real Estate, while workspace consultants WKspace worked on the design.
