Fast-growing Liverpool city region legal firm United Legal Assistance moving into Grade II-listed former post office and is creating new jobs. Andrew Brown reports
Fast-growing Southport law firm United Legal Assistance is to move into the Grade II-listed former post office in the town centre and is looking to hire more people.
United, a provider of insurance for personal injury claims, is currently based at Charlotte House in Hoghton Street. It is preparing to move into the former Southport Crown Post Office in Lord Street.
Founded in 2014, the business has doubled in size over the past year and has been looking to move into bigger premises.
Extensive renovation work is currently taking place to create a modern working environment while restoring the historic features of one of the town’s most-loved buildings.
Southport Crown Post Office site has been empty since 2014 when the Post Office services were transferred to the first floor of WH Smith in Chapel Street.
Built before the First World War it thrived as Southport’s main Post Office for many years. It forms part of a larger group of buildings within this area of Lord Street including the current NatWest building, all of which date to approximately 1912.
United Legal Assistance says it is looking for more people to join the firm at its new office which will have space for 110 employees.
Operations manager John Young said:”We are really excited about moving into one of the most iconic buildings in Southport.
“Renovation work is ongoing but we are hoping we are going to be in our new offices by Halloween. We are waiting for an exact date but it is getting close.
“We have 59 members of staff at the moment but are very keen to take on new people to come and join us. We have ambitions for that number to grow to around 70 people by the end of the year.
“United is a fast expanding firm and a real success story for the region. We have doubled our workforce over the last 12 months and we are still growing. We have got three job offers in at the moment and have more vacancies to fill.
“This is a really exciting time to come and join a fast growing business with lots of opportunities to grow and develop. We offer the chance to study for professional qualifications so people can learn and grow with us.”
United is leading the refurbishment and conservation of both the inside and outside of the site and re-planning the ground floor areas, bringing them back into viable commercial use after a long period of vacancy and decline.
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John added: “The former post office building is one of the most iconic landmarks in Southport and we want the renovation work carried out to a very high standard that respects its remarkable history.
“The directors, Adam Hughes, Gavin Hughes and Peter Mitchell are all born and bred in Southport and we are very proud to be expanding the firm into one of the most iconic and beautiful landmark buildings on Lord Street.”
For more details about the roles available visit www.united-legal.co.uk or email: recruitment@united-legal.co.uk