Bristows ups sticks and moves in next to IP client Unilever

Bristows ups sticks and moves in next to IP client Unilever" />
Bristows is relocating to new City offices where client Unilever is based.

Bristows is leasing 60,000sq ft of the Unilever building on the Thames at £40 per sq ft, taking up the first two floors. The firm will move in by 2008.

Managing partner Pat Treacy said that moving in with Unilever, an IP client, was "a happy coincidence" and that the firm had looked at more than 70 buildings while planning the move.

Treacy said growth and modernisation plans spurred the move away from its existing office in Chancery Lane. "Leases on the current buildings are due to expire and we were looking around for buildings more conducive to a modern law firm. Lincoln's Inn has lovely buildings, but they're essentially converted town houses and not enough for our needs."

Bristows' staff will get a boost from the more modern facilities at the Unilever building.

Treacy said: "The new offices will have things such as showers and bike-parking facilities, so all the staff are pretty pleased."

The firm has plans to sublet a quarter of the space, but has not yet found a buyer.

"Anybody who's interested in 15,000sq ft of space knows where to come," says Treacy.