Long-established Sunderland law firm moves into new home
A law firm which has served the North East for almost 80 years is embarking on an exciting new chapter after officially opening its new head office.
Richard Reed Solicitors has moved its team of over 40 to its new home at The Beam, a Grade A office building at the heart of Riverside Sunderland.
The move has seen the historic firm relocate from its previous offices on Frederick Street, where it was based since the 1980s, having been founded in 1948.
The Beam, a 60,000 sq ft Grade A office – the first to rise from the ground at Riverside Sunderland – represented the perfect location for the firm. The business has taken a lease of 5,012 sq ft of office space, joining the likes of Ocado, North East Screen, Apexon and Asset55 who are already based in the building.
It is yet another major milestone for the company, having recently rebranded to modernise its look, underlining the business’ evolution under the ownership of Managing Director Sarah Reid and Director Phil Moir.
Sarah said: “Richard Reed has always been about people, our clients, our community and our team. Leaving Frederick Street after so many decades is a real milestone for us, but The Beam gives us the space and facilities to keep evolving while staying true to our values.
“We’re incredibly grateful for all of the support we have received to help make this happen. Relocating to The Beam is more than just a change of address it’s an investment in our people, in our clients and in the future of the firm. The funding we received has allowed us to create a workspace that reflects where we’re going as a business, and we’re genuinely excited about what this next chapter will bring.”
Richard Reed received a grant towards the move from UMi, courtesy of the Business Growth Fund, which is managed on behalf of Sunderland City Council.
Phil Sly, specialist adviser at UMi, said: “It has been a privilege working with the Richard Reed team to secure the funding required to support this move.
“The Business Growth Fund was set up to help the city’s businesses access the funding required to realise their potential and this is a fantastic example of how it continues to do just that.
“By supporting the move to this new office, it will not only give its 42-strong team the modern, efficient workspace they deserve, but also provide them with the room and foundation required to keep growing for many years to come.”
The Business Investment Team at Sunderland City Council supported Richard Reed’s expansion, providing advice and signposting the company to the Business Growth Fund which has received £494,853 in Sunderland from the Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund Programme, managed in Sunderland by Sunderland City Council on behalf of the Sunderland Partnership.
Cllr Kevin Johnston, portfolio holder for Housing, Regeneration and Business at Sunderland City Council, said: “We are delighted to welcome the Richard Reed team to Riverside Sunderland.
“Just Eat, Ocado and ATG Tickets are just a few of the companies who have chosen to invest in what is fast becoming recognised as one of the UK’s most ambitious city centre regeneration projects and we are thrilled to be able to add Richard Reed, which is a true city success story, to that ever-growing list.
“It was a pleasure visiting them in their new office earlier this month and I think I speak for everyone involved with Sunderland City Council when I say we’d like to wish them all the best for the future.”
Richard Reed offers a range of legal services, spanning personal, property, business, employment, wills, and more. It has been rated 4.8/5 across 600+ independent reviews.
It is the latest firm to relocate to Riverside Sunderland, a development that will double the resident population of the city centre from 2,500 to 5,000 and create up to 10,000 new jobs, after Just Eat announced a move to the new Maker building earlier this summer.
For more information about Richard Reed, visit: www.richardreed.co.uk or for more on The Beam www.the-beam.co.uk.