McGrigors is set to launch in Manchester, handing the big four Scots firm its first presence in the northwest of England.

The new office, which is set to open at the beginning of 2008, will headed by infrastructure partner Peter Blackmore, who will relocate from London.

The Manchester office will add to the firm’s existing six-office network comprising bases in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, London, Belfast and the Falkland Islands. The new branch will focus on infrastructure, project finance, construction, property and energy as well as tax litigation.

The firm said client demand for the new office had increased significantly over the past 12 months. The office will be looking to expand to approximately 10 fee earners by the end of 2008.

Blackmore commented: “Client encouragement has really driven the firm’s further commitment to Manchester through the opening of our new office. Having a presence in Manchester is something that has been considered for a while and we felt this was the right time.”

Most of the UK’s major national firms already have a presence in Manchester, including Addleshaw Goddard, DLA Piper, Eversheds, Pinsent Masons, Halliwells and Cobbetts.

Earlier this month Eversheds hired Hammonds’ northern projects head, Jackie Heeds, as a partner in its Manchester office and in November the office hired DWF banking partner Simon Prendergast, along with associate Joe Frew and solicitor Clint Dempsey.

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