Simmons & Simmons is the latest firm to increase its stock in Bristol by taking on 27,000 sqft of space in a new office.

The firm has agreed to sign a 12-year lease for two floors in the city’s Finzels Reach development from January 2019, after outgrowing the 16,000 sqft of office space it holds at Linear Park, which is less than a mile away. A total of 18 partners are based in the firm’s current Bristol base.

The building is known for its environmentally-friendly credentials, including rooftop mounted solar panels, intelligent LED lighting and water saving technology.

Bristol office head and financial services partner Mahrie Webb commented: “If we are to continue to attract and retain high quality people to do premium work for premium clients we will need an office environment and location that is modern, inspiring and suited for the way people wish to work now and in the future.

“I see this move as good news for our people and, therefore, good news for our clients.”

Simmons has been clear that Bristol is central to its domestic practice in the UK, with the firm revealing that it plans to have over 100 fee-earners by April 2019.

In May, it hired TLT partner James Dean, who joined to boost the firm’s pensions offering.

Dean joined TLT in 2012 as a partner after a number of senior associate roles in firms including Osborne Clarke, Burges Salmon and Berwin Leighton Paisner.

He will advise on pension scheme investments, corporate restructurings and public sector pensions. His clients include sponsoring employers, trustees and providers and public sector bodies.

The move by Simmons is the latest sign of growing confidence of City firms in the Bristol market.

In November last year, Clyde & Co partners voted to open a new office in Bristol with the hire of two partners from Womble Bond Dickinson and Kennedys, marking the firm’s tenth office in the UK and its fourth in the south – alongside London, Guildford and Oxford. It will launch in 2018.

Professional indemnity partner Ian Peacock is joining from Womble Bond Dickinson, alongside Kennedys London professional indemnity partner John Eastlake.

Clydes’ opening and Simmons’ expansion is likely to put pressure on the likes of CMS Cameron Mckenna Nabarro & Olswang; Womble Bond Dickinson and Kennedys.