Smith Partnership, one of the East Midlands’ most prominent legal firms, has officially opened its new office in the heart of Stoke-on-Trent.
The firm – which has ambitious expansion plans – has taken up residence in the iconic former offices of The Sentinel newspaper on Trinity Street in Hanley, a building rich in local heritage.
The new premises were formally opened during a special ribbon-cutting event attended by the Lord Mayor of Stoke-on-Trent, Councillor Lyn Sharpe, alongside Kevin McGrath, Managing Partner at Smith Partnership.
The move marks a significant milestone in the firm’s regional expansion and underscores its long-term commitment to Stoke-on-Trent.
Located in Alexander House, previously the headquarters of The Sentinel newspaper until its relocation to remote working in 2021, the building has deep historical roots in the city.
Originally established in the 19th century, it operated for decades as the editorial and production centre for the daily newspaper, serving as a cornerstone of local journalism.
Mr McGrath highlighted the importance of the office opening, announcing: “We've got 40 years of knowledge, and the current team has over 260 years of service between them. We've been in Stoke now for many years, we used to have a smaller office in Longton, and this new office is part of our plans for expansion.
"We can deal with all the services we offer here from private, publicly funded work and commercial work, and we would be delighted if you would ever have a problem you would come and see us about it.
"I would like to say on behalf of all of the staff here, thank you to the team that were part of the development of this office.
We wanted to make sure that because we serve the people of the area, we wanted to be central, so we work in city centres. So being able to take this building on, is absolutely great for us.”
Councillor Lyn Sharpe welcomed the firm’s investment in the city centre, saying: “I think it's great that Smiths has moved up to the city centre. I'm a local girl, and this lovely building, before it was the Sentinel building, was Bethesda Sunday school.
"This year we are celebrating being a city for 100 years, on the 5th June, King George the Fifth in 1925 rocked up in Stoke and gave us city centre, so it’s a party year for everyone here in Stoke and you're all part of the party.
"I think it's great this building has a new lease of life, in a beautiful town in a wonderful city, and I’m very proud to be a Stokey.”
Smith Partnership, founded over three decades ago, operates offices across Derby, Leicester, Swadlincote, and Burton upon Trent. The firm delivers expert legal services across a comprehensive range of sectors including family law, criminal defence, conveyancing, employment law, personal injury, and commercial legal advice.
The new Hanley office is expected to bolster the firm's reach across Staffordshire, improving client access and creating new employment opportunities. The move to Trinity Street represents not only a logistical enhancement but also a symbolic gesture into a cherished local landmark.
The office is now fully operational and open to the public, providing face-to-face legal support for individuals and businesses in the area.