July 24, 2006
Norwich-based law firm Hatch Brenner has acquired prestigious new premises in an ambitious £500,000 project which will give it a striking double presence on one of the city’s most significant commercial streets.
The fast-expanding firm has bought around 4000 sq ft of ground and first floor office space within Dencora House, on Theatre Street. The new premises, which have been purchased from the adjacent Theatre Royal, are a stone’s throw from Hatch Brenner’s existing Theatre Street head office near Chapelfield and the Assembly House.
Hatch Brenner is beginning a refurbishment of Dencora House, and will then operate from the two Theatre Street sites after giving up the lease it currently holds on offices at Regency House, on Duke Street.
Alan Dobbins, managing partner of Hatch Brenner – which has nine partners and around 60 staff - said the acquisition of Dencora House stemmed from the right premises becoming available at the right time.
“We are delighted to have acquired such a significant part of Dencora House, and we believe this move will raise the profile of the firm by giving us a prominent position in one of the major locations in the centre of Norwich,” said Mr Dobbins.
“In practical terms its proximity to our existing Theatre Street offices just a couple of hundred yards away will be extremely convenient. The firm will now occupy a dominant position with offices standing almost like bookends at either end of Theatre Street, which has become one of the most significant commercial areas in the city centre as a result of developments such as The Forum and Chapelfield.”
Mr Dobbins said the move also underlined Hatch Brenner’s determination to set the very highest standards in legal service provision.
“We live in a competitive age in which standards constantly need to be improved, and we are determined to stand in the vanguard of delivering improved legal services to the people of Norwich and Norfolk,” said Mr Dobbins.
“I feel that the legal profession has in many ways been a little too comfortable for a little too long, but no business in any sector has a divine right to be successful. To be successful a firm has to look at the quality of the service its gives, not just in terms of personal service, but also in terms of the location and surroundings in which that service is provided.
“We always aim to provide our clients with an impeccable service. The acquisition of Dencora House will enable us to ensure that in future our clients at both offices also enjoy facilities of the highest standards of comfort and convenience.”
The office space taken over by Hatch Brenner became available when it was deemed surplus to the requirements of the Theatre Royal’s £10million refurbishment plans. The Theatre Royal will continue to occupy ground and first-floor space to the left of the central foyer at Dencora House, with Hatch Brenner occupying space to the right of the foyer, overlooking Chapelfield Gardens.
“We were pleased to be approached by Savills on behalf of the Theatre Royal, and both sides were very satisfied with the outcome,” said Mr Dobbins. “We got the office space we wanted, and the Theatre Royal received cash to put towards its own project.”
The refurbishment of Dencora House will include internal glass features designed to enhance the building’s natural sense of airiness and light. It is hoped that the work will be complete in time for the firm to move in towards the end of this year. No decisions have been announced as to which departments will be located in which offices.
