HAMPSHIRE police and crime commissioner Simon Hayes has taken on the lease for offices in Winchester city centre.

Mr Hayes’ team is set to move into 4,004sq.ft St George’s Chambers, the offices above Barclays Bank on the corner of High Street and Jewry Street on a ten-year lease. They are currently in Staple Gardens.

The transaction with Bakhaty Properties was handled by Goadsby.

Allan Pickering of Goadsby Commercial, said: “We have seen a notable increase in activity in the commercial market with companies looking to acquire new premises and expand.

“This property is a good example, comprising Barclays on the ground floor plus almost 9,000sq.ft of office space which is now fully let with tenants including Active Navigation, PM Partners, ClearviewIP and now the Police and Crime Commissioner who has secured the second floor.’’

Mohamed Bakhaty, of Bakhaty Properties, said today: "I'm delighted to have them there. It is a quite a commitment to Winchester."