Case studies: how we support City businesses

The Partnerships and Engagement team provides free property support to all City businesses. The case studies below demonstrate the impact that we have had. 

To arrange a one-to-one meeting with us, email the team. 

Case study 1

Supporting the Shanghai Clearing House to set up their first representative office in the City

The Shanghai Clearing House approached the team to help them find suitable premises for their first representative office in the capital.

The team set up an initial meeting with the bank to assess their needs in terms of location, price, amenities, lease terms and proximity to other Asian banks. Following an in-depth consultation, a bespoke property report was created highlighting a range of both commercial and flexible work space options. As the bank was new to London, we set up a tour of 12 shortlisted properties to give the bank a flavour of the facilities and amenities on offer. The tour had a significant impact on the bank’s final choice of property with the flexibility of serviced office space proving to be the deciding factor in their final property decision.

The Shanghai Clearing House has now been based in the City for three years. News of their positive experience soon spread to other banks in China and a few months later, the Shanghai Stock Exchange got in touch with us to ask for assistance with their own property search for their first representative office in the Square Mile.

Case study 2

Assisting Nomura in the art of the possible at Watermark Place

The Japanese investment bank, Nomura, contacted us following their interest in Watermark Place as a potential new Headquarters following their acquisition of the failed Lehman Brothers Bank.

The bank had very precise requirements regarding the positioning of their VIP drop off area which they wanted to be positioned in front of the main entrance rather than utilising the approved basement arrangements for parking. The VIP drop off point was of vital significance to Nomura and the outcome would influence their final decision to move to Watermark Place or choose an alternative location.

We liaised with Nomura and the City Corporation’s Senior members and Planning team to explore the art of the possible to accommodate a design change. Taking Nomura’s views on board, the Planning team undertook a detailed analysis of the area of highway which was to form a pedestrianised route to the river. A compromise arrangement was subsequently agreed to allow the VIP drop off in a revised highway scheme.

As a result, Nomura took the decision to locate their new HQ at Watermark Place.

Case study 3

Supporting the development of Centurion House

The developer Rockpoint approached us to obtain guidance with regard to the planning and development process for the delivery of a new building Centurion House. The highly complex development comprised 75,000 square feet of office space, 7600 square feet of retail space and a replacement bridge link. Rockpoint had just acquired the building and had no previous experience of developing in the Square Mile.

As there were multiple planning and construction issues that needed to be unlocked, we set up a cross-departmental working party (including Highways, Transportation, Environmental Health and Planning) to take a collective look at each of the issues. As a result, we were able to successfully navigate the developer through the technical approvals for highways structures – including Design check certificates (DCC) and approvals in principal (AiPs); make planning representations on behalf of the developer and quickly facilitate negotiations for Section 106 obligations.

During this process, we were also able to tackle the fine details pertaining to the development such as agreeing highways approvals for crane activity, oversailing licenses and road closures. Finally, we were able to unlock an ongoing neighbourly dispute relating to matters of construction and legal agreements.

By successfully working in collaboration with the developer and other internal Corporation departments, we swiftly and smoothly facilitated the discharge of planning conditions to agreed deadlines and support the creation of another key development in the City.

Case Study 4

Helping businesses get connected faster

Getting broadband installed into buildings is one of the biggest complaints that we receive from businesses moving into the City. Hampered by a lack of a common approach to wayleaves – the legal document that provides a right of way from the landlord, many businesses were forced to wait up to twelve months to have their broadband installed.

To resolve this issue, we brought together the British Standards Institute, the City of London Law Society as well as leading figures from the telecommunications and property industry. The group was instrumental in creating the UK’s first standardised wayleave document which provides a permit to install broadband access into private property. The standardised wayleave document provides wording that is acceptable to both landlord and occupier and therefore avoids the lengthy delays caused when lawyers are required to approve individual wayleave agreements.

As a result, some businesses have reported a nine month reduction in the time taken to get their broadband installed. Since its inception, the standardised wayleave agreement has been downloaded from the City Corporation website thousands of times and has been adopted on a national basis by fibre broadband operators. The agreement has also been adopted by several other London local authorities.