THE official unveiling of a top legal firm’s newly revamped office was given a little pomp and circumstance courtesy of a special guest.

High Sheriff of Cumbria, Marcia Reid Fotheringham, called in at the Brampton base of Cartmell Shepherd as the team celebrated the completion of major refurbishment.

She was joined by staff old and new along with members of the business community for the official ceremony and declared: “I think there is a sense with Cartmell Shepherd of wanting to meet the community in the community, instead of having the community meet them in their location and they seem to be doing it well.

“I have been told about the office before and it sounded like it needed some improvement. What they have done is beautiful. It looks streamlined and modern and from a community point of view, I think people will get the sense that Cartmells are here to stay in Brampton and I think that builds confidence.”

Cartmell Shepherd has six offices across Cumbria and Northumberland. The Brampton building was taken over by the legal firm in 1906 and is home to 12 members of the company’s 100-strong team.

The firm’s managing director Peter Stafford addressed staff and guests before Mrs Reid Fotheringham cut a ribbon to officially declare the revamped office open.

Peter said: “It gives me great pleasure to officially open our refurbished Brampton offices. The investment we have made here is a sign of our commitment to Brampton and the surrounding area, to its people and its businesses.

“The office looks wonderful and has had a complete overhaul. We are very pleased with the workmanship and the effort which has gone into the project and I would like to thank Vinny Brown for everything he and his team have done.

“This sets us up excellently to provide expert legal advice across a wide range of areas to the Brampton and wider community for many years to come.”

The office revamp in Brampton is the latest to be completed by Cartmell Shepherd; they have recently invested in their West Cumbria, Haltwhistle and Viaduct House bases as part of an ongoing investment programme.

The building firm behind the work was Carlisle-based Artizan Building and Joinery.

Owner Vinny Brown, who established the company 19 years ago said: “We are a small family firm and it is fantastic when we are supported by businesses such as Cartmell Shepherd.

“This has been a challenging job because the priority has been to keep the business running while we have worked on the building. That has meant many 2pm-11pm shifts.

“Because this is a Grade II listed building, that has brought its own difficulties as working within the requirements of the listed status is essential. But there hasn’t been anything we couldn’t handle.

“We are over the moon with the results. A lot of businesses would have made do with a coat of paint, but the investment Cartmells have made is incredible. The building has been modernised but still retains the feel and character of a period property.”