The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) will be moving to new offices in London next year, it has announced, confirming it will leave the Lambeth headquarters it shares with the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) when the lease expires in September 2014.

The regulator said on Friday (February 15) that it had found strong options for future offices that would be cost-effective and meet its facility needs.

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	It was too early to reveal the exact location in London or potential cost savings, said the GPhC, which originally announced its plans to move premises in 2011. Annual rent for the Lambeth premises shot up this year to nearly £500,000 from around £350,000 the year before, after the regulator took over more space in the building.

The regulator confirmed it had ruled out seeking joint accommodation with the RPS.

"We have liaised with the RPS throughout and both organisations respect that we have different needs for our future accommodation," GPhC chief executive Duncan Rudkin said, stressing they would continue to work together "closely and effectively".

The RPS issued a statement on the same day, saying it had not yet decided whether to remain in the building after 2014.

"The options we have been considering include staying in the existing building with tenants, as well as selling the building and establishing a new London base, which could include the development of the existing site," the RPS said.

"The key driver will always be what is good for the society and our members," it added.

The RPS hopes to make a decision on its accommodation plans this week (February 20), when treasurer Sid Dajani will present his recommendations to the society.