New tenant takes up residence at Portsmouth office scheme

The Southern Co-operative moves into landmark business hub 1000 Lakeside

Article posted: 22 Aug 2011

The Southern Co-operative has moved its headquarters into refurbished office space in Portsmouth, Hampshire. The managers of over 180 community food stores and funeral homes across southern England that trade under the national co-operative brand, The Southern Co-operative has made 1000 Lakeside, North Harbour, the site of its operational nerve centre.

More than 110 staff relocated to the building’s east wing third floor, having outgrown four-storey offices in Fareham town centre just five miles away.

The Southern Co-operative signed a 15-year full repairing and insuring lease on 17,150 sq ft, for an undisclosed rent. Joint agents Hughes Ellard and Vail Williams represented landlord Highcross.

More than 60 companies and organisations, employing 4,500 people between them, including at IBM’s headquarters, are now based at Lakeside.

The Southern Co-operative’s official arrival in July followed an extensive refurbishment project.

Richard Stileman, who heads up property and estates at The Southern Co-operative, said: “Finding the right location for any professional company is essential, and the feedback from our colleagues is that 1000 Lakeside is the perfect choice because of the lovely surroundings, extensive car parking, round-the-clock site security and the campus-style buzz.”

He added: “Our new headquarters, across one floor, provides the nerve centre of operations in which to support our 180 community food stores and funeral homes, delivering quality services to our customers.”

Other occupiers at 1000 Lakeside include Handelsbanken, Verisona, Astute Technical Recruitment, Tomicca, Regus, Hippowaste, Begbies Traynor, Portsmouth NHS, Market Makers and Education Business Partnership.

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Posted by Jo