Hay & Kilner advice supports Central Employment’s move into landmark new offices

Hay & Kilner advice supports Central Employment’s move into landmark new offices

Advice from Hay & Kilner has helped an ambitious regional recruitment firm secure an outstanding new head office.

Recruitment specialists Central Employment are set to move into the newly-refurbished Portland House in central Newcastle in the coming weeks as part of their ongoing growth strategy.

The award-winning refurbishment of what was formerly Newcastle Business Society’s headquarters has already seen a number of regional firms sign up to take space in the building, including barristers Parklane Plowden Chambers, solicitors Mills & Co and independent business recovery specialist Begbies Traynor Group

John Morgan of Hay & Kilner’s commercial property department worked with the Central Employment management team on securing a ten-year lease for 8,131 sq ft of high-quality office space, which covers sole occupation of Blocks A and B on the ground floor of Portland House.

Central Employment is the oldest independent recruiter in the North East, with over 40 years of industry expertise, and provides temporary, contract and permanent recruitment services across a broad spectrum of industries for clients right across the UK.

It currently employs 46 people, but is looking to increase that number as it grows the size and range of recruitment contracts that it manages.

Hay & Kilner has acted as an advisor to Central Employment for several years, and alongside commercial property support, its employment law team also provides advice on matters relating to human resources.

Will Palmer, finance director at Central Employment, says: "Moving to Portland House is an inspirational move for all our team and will allow our staff to work together more efficiently in a modern open plan environment while at the same time delivering the benefits of collaborative working.

"We are also looking to grow our headcount to meet our growing client base and the new office space and facilities will provide us with the ideal platform as we look to grow our business further.

“We’ve worked with the Hay & Kilner team on a number of projects over the years and their advice and guidance has always been exactly what we’ve needed to help us achieve our goals.”

John Morgan, Partner in the Commercial Property Team, adds: "Central Employment is a long-term North East success story that is active right across the UK, with the management team continuing to look for ways to enhance what they do.

“Their impressive new offices fit well with the business’s continuing growth ambitions and we’re very pleased to have helped complete a project which will have a big influence on how they are achieved.”

Get in touch to find out how our Commercial Property Team can help you.

Expert commentary & updates

Hubexo relocates Newcastle office with Hay & Kilner’s support
Hay & Kilner advises Hubexo on Newcastle office relocation to One Trinity Gardens, supporting regional growth and commercial property transactions.
Leisure & Hospitality Link-Up: 21st May 2026
Join Hay & Kilner’s Leisure & Hospitality Link-Up in Newcastle on 21st May 2026 – network, share insights and connect with industry professionals.
Hay & Kilner strengthens commercial property team with appointment of James Stacey
Hay & Kilner appoints commercial property solicitor James Stacey, supporting continued growth and strengthening its legal expertise across key sectors.
Hay & Kilner advises Smart Works North East on new premises lease
Hay & Kilner provides expert commercial property lease advice to Smart Works North East, helping secure new premises with tailored legal guidance.
New UK property tax system: What commercial property owners need to know
Maryam Ahmed, from our Commercial Property Team, explains speculation around a proposed UK property tax system and what landlords, investors and property owners should know.
Hay & Kilner supports Community Transport with new premises lease
Hay & Kilner’s Commercial Property Team supports Community Transport with legal advice on their premises move, helping local services expand with expert counsel.
Hidden costs in commercial leases: How to handle service charges
Rebecca Evans, from our Commercial Property Team, outlines how to identify and handle service charge liabilities in commercial leases to protect tenant and landlord interests.

You may also need advice on

Commercial Property

Commercial property law is a complex and ever-changing legal minefield. When you are involved in commercial property transactions – whether as an owner, occupier, investor or developer, we will be by your side with swift and accurate legal advice.

Leave us a message

Send us your query and we will be back in touch as soon as possible.

For the latest insights, updates and events join our mailing list

‘Hay & Kilner’ and ‘Hay & Kilner Law Firm’ are both trading names of Hay & Kilner LLP, a limited liability partnership registered in England & Wales with registered number OC418767. Our registered office is at The Lumen, St James' Boulevard, Newcastle Helix, Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 5BZ and we are authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (Authorisation number 643191). We use the word ‘partner’ to refer to a member of Hay & Kilner LLP. A list of the members is available at our registered office.