New Chapter Begins for Burnetts

The firm which employs 141 people, including more than 100 in Carlisle, has agreed terms on two adjacent buildings on Wavell Drive at Rosehill Industrial Estate.

Transformational works to convert the buildings’ interiors into modern, open-plan workspace are now underway. Victoria House will be a Welcome Hub for clients including a suite of contemporary meetings rooms, whilst Hadrian House will be home to the majority of the firm’s lawyers. Over the coming months, the buildings will also be cabled with the latest technology, ensuring optimum speed and reliability.

In order to achieve their vision for a 21st century workplace, Burnetts’ Partners have appointed CBS Fit Out in Lancaster to project manage the design and works on the new building. The project has already involved months of planning and preparation including staff surveys and the building of a complete work-station in the firm’s existing Victoria Place offices so that staff and partners can enjoy a taster of their new working environment.

Managing Partner Nick Gutteridge has been the force behind moving the firm from its current Victorian home into modern premises. He explained, “Communication and collaboration are key to the success of today’s law firm: our new offices will enable better communication within and across teams, ensuring a more seamless and efficient service for clients. Our new work-space is predominantly open-plan but has space for quiet working, informal meetings and a “war-room” which will be the hub for major corporate transactions. We’ll also benefit from a major IT investment, ensuring our people have the very latest technology and equipment. It is a hugely exciting time to be at Burnetts.”

Nick continued, “This new work-space will involve a big shift in culture including a move away from our high dependency on paper files and an end to individual offices which can create silos. We have a great team here so we’ve devoted a lot of time in ensuring that our staff share the excitement and are really committed to the changes. We want to ensure that working at Burnetts is a rewarding and positive experience and have invested in design and technology measures to ensure that we’re creating a productive and happy environment.”

Burnetts has been based at Victoria Place in Carlisle since at least the 1940s. During the last five years, the firm has experienced significant growth – turnover has increased by more than 35% and 12% more jobs have been created. It is hoped the relocation will be completed in full by Summer 2018.