Food and drink on the menu as SH gears up for office move
Moving can be a stressful experience, but any Stephenson Harwood employees nervous about their impending relocation to new offices at One Finsbury Square can at least rest assured that they will know where to find a decent fry-up on their first morning.
The firm is putting together its own guidebook to the area, with a specially selected group - likely to include partners, associates and other staff - being sent out to sample its culinary and bacchanalian delights.
“It’s going to be like a bluffer’s guide to the area,” said chief executive Sharon White. “It’ll include things like local shops and where the hairdressers and barbers are.”
The City firm’s answer to Zagat will also include an indispensable guide to the best bars and restaurants in which to schmooze clients. As well as where to go for the following morning’s hangover cure.
White confirmed that the range of places covered would include everything “from greasy spoon breakfasts to client lunches”.
The firm plans a soft launch for the office and does not expect the kitchen to be operating at full capacity initially.
White added: “We won’t be able to do client lunches in the first couple of weeks so people will have to take clients out.”
While Stephenson Harwood has already negotiated discounts for staff from some local businesses, the gallant gourmets putting together the guidebook have vowed to remain steadfastly impartial.
“I don’t think they’ll need to go out incognito,” laughed White. “But they might not want to advertise the fact they’re from the firm.”
The firm will relocate to the new offices next April, with the guidebook due to come out at the same time.
Readers' comments (6)
Christiano Ronaldo | 22-Oct-2010 3:24 pm
Who are Stephenson Harwood? I thought he played for Blackpool?
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Anonymous | 22-Oct-2010 3:26 pm
What a total non story – non descript law firm due to move to non descript office (vacating current, stunningly located, office).
That the staff need some sort of idiots’ guide to help them cope with a move around the corner doesn’t exactly say much for them.
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Anonymous | 22-Oct-2010 3:51 pm
This is one of the weidest non-stories I think I've ever seen. What on earth is it doing on here?
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Christiano Ronaldo | 22-Oct-2010 4:41 pm
Actually, this is a key story, especially if you are a client as it is an insight into their commercial expertise. It implies in the story that the new office has an eating facility. But they are also sending out a document detailing all the competition so no one will then use the eating facility therefore losing the firm money or, even better, if outsourced, putting them out of business. You couldn't make it up. Also, the incognito and impartial review bit is amusing because if they are going to check out all the local amenities, like bars, does this include strip bars? Now that is a story!
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Katya | 22-Oct-2010 7:39 pm
They weren't the first firm to think of this. Even firms that don't have canteens!
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Confused | 23-Oct-2010 3:58 pm
Bizzare indeed.
If I were a partner at this firm, whoever they are, I would be asking Shazza why she is wasting my money on this rubbish and why I was paying her a managing parntner's salary to give an intervview on this.
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