Expansion plans for Gordon Brown Associates revealed

Dec 2 2009 by Andrew Mernin, The Journal

LAW firm Gordon Brown Associates is to open a second office in Newcastle and is closing in on a merger with a North East firm that would add 15 staff to its ranks.

The company, headquartered in Chester-le-Street, County Durham, has also taken on eight members of staff on Tyneside who will handle a drive to generate half of its annual revenue from the internet within five years.

The firm has identified a new 3,000sqft office near Newcastle’s new Central Library to add to its sites on the city’s Mosley Street, and in Sunderland, Houghton-le-Spring, County Durham and Low Fell, Gateshead.

Last year, it cut its 95-strong workforce to 74, due largely to the knock-on effect of the collapse in the property market.

However, it has since built its staff levels back up to 85 as it witnesses an increase in property-related business from cash buyers snapping up bargains in the market.

Senior partner Gordon Brown said: “We are delighted to welcome both our new staff and new clients to the firm. We have been well-managed through the credit crunch and we are now positioning for the upturn by investing in staff, new premises in Newcastle and ICT.”

Geoff Hall, head of residential conveyancing, said: “The market is improving and the new team gives us complimentary new skills capacity.”