RETAIL & LEISURE
Davitt Jones Bould is the largest specialist real estate law firm in the UK, covering the full spectrum of real estate issues including commercial property, planning, real estate finance, real estate litigation, construction and other related areas. Our team of over 60 lawyers all come from City backgrounds or senior roles, with an average PQE of over 25 years.
Davitt Jones Bould recognise the importance of understanding what is essential to your business and how you operate so that we can deliver bespoke property legal services to achieve your objectives and portfolio requirements. Our team of retail specialists can provide practical advice and solutions to deal with the ever-growing number of challenges that face this fast-paced marketplace.
YOU CAN EXPECT
EXPERIENCED SOLICITORS
All our solicitors have a minimum of 10 years' post qualification experience, with an average of 25 years across the team and an aggregate over 1500 years.
RETAIL SPECIALISTS
Our retail team has worked with a wide range of brands, including international and national retailers, boutiques as well as restaurant chains. Some of the team have worked in-house at retail giants such as John Lewis. You can be assured our lawyers understand your unique commercial objectives.
ACCURATE FIRST TIME RESULTS
With our experienced team, we do not need to compromise accuracy to get a job done quickly. This is because all our lawyers are at least 10 years qualified and carry out the matter from start to finish. It is a principle of Davitt Jones Bould operations that our lawyers do not delegate to any junior solicitors or paralegals: that is because we simply do not have any.
EXCELLENT VALUE
At Davitt Jones Bould, we separate commercial dealings from legal practice, allowing our solicitors to solely focus on providing the best legal advice, whilst commercial professionals handle the rest - at no extra cost. There is also no ''duplication'' of legal fees as one senior solicitor carries the matter from start to finish.
THE TEAM
TERESA KAMPARI BAKER
PARTNER
PQE: 29 Years
JO BRIERS
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR
PQE: 16 Years
HELEN CLOSE
PARTNER
PQE: 27 Years
ABIGAIL KAY - PARTNER & CO-HEAD
PQE: 19 Years
Abigail has over 19 years’ experience of advising businesses within the leisure and retail sectors, including Five Guys, Joe & The Juice, Smiggle, Currys and Regatta. She has worked with a wide range of businesses – from large retail and leisure chains and international brands to independent restaurants and small niche startups.
RICHARD HOLMES - PARTNER & CO-HEAD
PQE: 20 Years
Richard has advised on the full range of commercial property matters over 20 years. He has worked with a wide range of retail and leisure clients including the Co-operative Group, Lloyds Bank Plc, Poundstretcher Ltd, Cotton Traders and Well Pharmacy. He has particular expertise in occupier and landlord and tenant issues. Richard is recommended in the Legal 500 and prides himself in truly understanding clients' business needs and delivering advice in an accessible, approachable manner.
JOHN STRACHAN - NON-EXECUTIVE
Experience: Over 40 Years
John is a retail sector specialist with over 40 years' experience. As Global Head of Retail at Cushman & Wakefield, he oversaw their Worldwide business of almost 1000 retail property professionals. As part of the Board of Intu plc, then a FTSE 100 company with one of the largest shopping centre portfolios in the UK, Spain & India, he was appointed Chairman. Alongside advising DJB, John is on the Advisory Board of True Global, a $1 billion PE fund investing in retail businesses & is a consultant to p-three, the real estate advisory firm.
CASE STUDIES
We acted for a national pharmacy chain with over 800 stores dealing with their day to day property requirements. We advised them on the lease for over 40 new pharmacies across the UK, including locations in Manchester, Stockport, Cheshire and London. The work needed to be turned around rapidly as many of their competitors were also vying for these properties. This work is important as the Pharmacy is trying to continue their huge expansion nationwide.
We are advising the Optical Center on their entry into the UK. The Optical Center is one of France's largest optician's chains. We are not only advising them on their entry into the UK market, but also on its UK store roll out. This is key to the Optical Center's plans to grow in the UK.
We are advising a Costa franchisee on the acquisition of Costa Coffee stores at locations across the UK. As part of a corporate acquisition project we are advising on all of the property aspects of a multi-million pound deal, including doing the due diligence and reviewing all of the lease agreements to ensure. The franchisee is a rapidly growing coffee company and this acquisition is key to their strategic growth plan.
We are now advising Smiggle on all their real estate issues. This includes acting and advising them on lease acquisitions and management of its portfolio. This is key as part of their growth strategy of continuing to expand in the United Kingdom. Smiggle is the ultimate destination for school, birthday and leisure essentials.
CLIENT TESTIMONIALS
Richard comes with my highest recommendations for the quick and detailed client service he provides. Richard is excellent at balancing detailed knowledge and commercial acumen as a case requires throughout.
REGIONAL PORTFOLIO MANAGER AT THE CO-OPERATIVE GROUP
Davitt Jones Bould has an outstanding reputation in property matters, based upon attracting and retaining very experienced lawyers specialising in this filed who service an enviable client base.
LEGAL 500 2023
Really impressed with Abigail Kay's service on one of my clients.
CLIENT TESTIMONIAL, LEGAL 500 2023
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