A LAW firm has dedicated more than half its new office to “collaborative” meeting spaces as hybrid working arrangements become long-term.

Irwin Mitchell says it is extending its Flexible By Choice approach after moving into One Dorset Street in Southampton.

It says the new office will be a south coast hub, linking staff in the city with offices in Chichester, Reading and Gatwick. The firm provides legal and financial advice to individuals and businesses.

The Flexible By Choice approach was adopted last year, allowing staff to work wherever they wish, subject to client requirements.

Half the floor plan at One Dorset Street has been designed to encourage collaboration and engagement, with different options for meeting clients and a mixture of formal and informal space.

Sarah Ball, director of operations at Irwin Mitchell, said: “One Dorset Street builds on the success of our previous Birmingham and Manchester moves which had been designed to support new ways of working.

“As many of us work in a much more ‘hybrid’ way, splitting our days and weeks between offices, homes, with clients and in other locations, our offices will evolve to reflect changing needs.

“Southampton is an example of the blueprint we’ve been developing for how our offices will look and work for us – informed by the changing needs of our clients, colleagues and communities.

“We’ll have more opportunities to develop this in other locations as leases come up for renewal in several of our offices over the next couple of years.”

Guy Darlaston, regional managing partner for Irwin Mitchell in Southampton, said: “The events of the past two years have made us think carefully about what our clients and colleagues want from an office.

“As a full-service legal business, we are committed to serving the needs of our communities and this is best achieved with a strong regional presence.

“Our new office has been designed with a clear purpose – to bring us together, to collaborate and provide a positive, flexible working environment.”