Commercial property: elsewhere in the West Midlands in West Midlands
Higgs & Sons
Higgs & Sons gives comprehensive advice on the full scope of real estate matters and is instructed by a wide variety of clients. Practice head Cherry Elliott mainly handles commercial development and investment matters. The team also includes landlord and tenant work specialist Peter Coleman, Richard Saxton, who advises on real estate finance, retail and leisure transactions, as well as Sara Shepherd, who has expertise assisting corporate occupiers and clients in the healthcare sector. Rachael Hobbis joined from Shakespeare Martineau LLP in May 2018.
Practice head(s):
Cherry Elliott
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
London & Cambridge Properties
A F Blakemore & Son Limited
T H Baker
Talash Hotels Group
Duchy Homes
Bovis Homes
Gail’s Bakery
Hovi Luxury Homes Limited
Cassidy Group Limited
HSBC Bank Plc
Bathams Brewery
Severn Valley Railway
Rubery Owen
Work highlights
- Acted for luxury jeweller T.H. Baker on the sale of a portfolio of 19 retail stores to Pandora
- Acted on the sale of the Falstaff Hotel in Leamington Spa to a private investor.
- Acted for regional housebuilder Duchy Homes in connection with the acquisition of a large development site in Tanworth-in-Arden.
- Acted for Gail’s Bakery on a new lease at the iconic Shell Centre on the South Bank in London.
- Acted for London & Cambridge Properties on the sale of a long leasehold car showroom in Newbury.
Lodders Solicitors LLP
Lodders Solicitors LLP offers outstanding expertise on real estate transactions, including land purchases and sales, as well as high-profile residential and commercial developments. Team head Mark Miller is well versed in development transactions, and is supported by residential development specialist James Mottram. Other key lawyers of the practice are Nick East, whose broad practice includes a focus on investment property transactions, experienced managing partner Paul Mourton and associate Victoria Longmore, who is an expert on planning, highways and environmental matters.
Practice head(s):
Mark Miller
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
IM Properties plc
C.M. Downton
Spitfire Bespoke Homes LLP
Craigard Property Trading Limited
St Modwen Properties plc
Hinton Properties
Turnstone Estates
HSBC Bank plc
Christian Vision
Cameron Homes Limited
Work highlights
- Acted on behalf of John Hollingsworth & Son Property in the sale of a portfolio of six mixed commercial and residential buildings.
- Acting for a consortium of national housebuilders in respect of proceedings against the highway authority’s refusal to adopt estate roads for 600 units.
- Acted for The Wigley Group regarding construction documents for a three-acre site providing new build industrial/warehouse units.
- Acted for IM Group Ensley in the acquisition and disposal of land in Bath to a major housebuilder, including deferred payment provisions.
Wright Hassall LLP
The respected team at Wright Hassall LLP undertakes the full scope of real estate matters arising from transactions and development. David Slade leads on investment property and leasing work, while Claire Waring heads the land development team. Barry Sankey has developed a specialism in the science and technology park sector, the 'very efficient' James Polo-Richards is recommended for his work in development, and Andrew Jones focuses on transactions in the industrial, logistics, retail and leisure sectors.
Practice head(s):
David Slade; Claire Waring
Other key lawyers:
Barry Sankey; Andrew Jones; James Polo-Richards; Gill Worthington; Joanna Deffley
Testimonials
‘Attention to detail; client focused; good communication; understanding of the client’s business, goals and objectives.‘
‘The team is able to provide a comprehensive real estate service comparable with the largest City firms. They clearly believe in the importance of relationships and provide an excellent client experience.‘
‘Claire Waring helped me through a very complicated property deal and she was excellent. She very much takes the approach of working together and is good at providing strategic advice as opposed to just legal opinions.‘
‘I was very impressed with James Polo Richards. He provides good sound advice and is very efficient.‘
Key clients
Rosconn Strategic Land Limited
Spitfire Bespoke Homes Limited
Westleigh Partnerships Limited
Deeley Group Limited
AC Lloyd Homes Limited
Greensquare Group
Orbit Group Limited
London & Quadrant Housing Trust
Wigley Contracts (Barby) Limited
Lincoln Science and Innovation Park Limited
Work highlights
- Advised AC Lloyd on the 15-year lease renewal, followed by an investment sale, of a manufacturing facility occupied by vehicle interior specialist Grupo Antolin.
- Advised Piper Homes on the acquisition of ten development sites.
- Acted for Sodick Europe regarding a land purchase in Warwick for the development of its European HQ.
- Acted on behalf of Newcore Capital Management in the acquisition of Kitsmead Recycling Centre and associated land.
- Acted for Wigley Contracts on the sale of a Royal Mail distribution centre to a private investor for £3.5m.
FBC Manby Bowdler LLP
FBC Manby Bowdler LLP advises investors on transactions relating to commercial properties, tenants and landlords on leasing matters, house builders on residential development, and also handles financing and refinancing work on bank and buyer side. Andrew Wynne has particular expertise in ecclesiastical law, while team head David Grove's client base includes property developers and investors with residential and commercial portfolios.
Practice head(s):
David Grove
Other key lawyers:
Stephen Burke; Andrew Wynne
Testimonials
‘Very swift to act on instructions‘
‘Charlotte Nutting was always readily available to discuss matters at short notice.‘
‘David Grove is commercially aware, always practical and takes a common sense approach.’
‘David Grove is extremely reliable and gets on with the job efficiently.’
‘David Grove is very commercially minded and always quick to respond. He understands the way we work, and that our goal is to get things done rather than get mired in detail. His associate Andrew Ward is also of the same ilk and we progress many successful transactions through them.’
‘Friendly and professional – always put client requirements first’.
Key clients
St Modwen Properties Plc
Marston’s Plc
Lichfield Diocesan Trust
Pemberstone Group Limited
Townson Estates Plc
City of Wolverhampton College
Church Commissioners for England
Lancroft Developments Limited
Portrust Holdings Limited
BE Wedge Holdings Limited
Work highlights
- Represented Pemberstone Group on the sale of a portfolio of residential reversionary investments comprising over 3,000 apartments in over 30 blocks
- Represented SY Homes on the purchase of a new development site.
- Acted for a dutch boiler manufacturer in taking a new lease.
- Represented a school and its lender on a remortgage of school property.
- Represented a company in the sale and leaseback of an industrial unit.
George Green LLP
George Green LLP provides comprehensive advice on a range of matters including sales and acquisitions, landlord and tenant issues, secured lending transactions and development-related real estate work. Practice head Kevin Styles advises occupiers, developers and investors on a local and national level, while associate Paul Kettle focuses on leasing and real estate transactions.
Practice head(s):
Kevin Styles
Other key lawyers:
Alex-Jayne Lowe; Paul Woodman; Philip Round; Paul Kettle
Key clients
St Francis Group
Scrivens Limited
Telent Technology Services Limited and Telent Limited
Eriks Industrial Services
C G Murray & Son Limited
Ortus Secured Finance I Limited and OSF (UK) I Limited
Dudley College of Technology
W Brindley (Garages) Limited
ThyssenKrupp UK Plc
ThyssenKrupp Materials (UK) Limited
Work highlights
- Advised Ortus Secured Finance in relation to a £4m facility secured over Liverpool landmark retail space.
- Advised a world leading non-stick coating technology company on a development agreement for the lease of large industrial unit.
- Advised Stondon Capital on a working capital facility to a UK subsidiary of one of the world’s largest packaging manufacturers, secured over large factory premises.
- Acting for ThyssenKrupp Materials UK in connection with the negotiation of a 10-year renewal lease from an institutional pension scheme landlord.
- Advised a property company and care home provider on the acquisition of a residential development let to 26 individual tenants.
Lanyon Bowdler
With particular expertise in the agricultural sector, Lanyon Bowdler handles a range of work, including leasing and real estate transactions relating to developments. The firm's client roster includes landowners, developers and tenants. Agricultural law expert Edward Nutting joined from Hibberts LLP in April 2018, while Ian Glenister retired in April 2019.
Practice head(s):
Praveen Chaudhari
Other key lawyers:
Andrew Evans; Alan Gittins
Key clients
Ralph Tomley
Fletcher Homes (Shropshire) Limited
Boys & Boden Limited
J Ross Developments Ltd
Grange Fencing Limited
U & S Estates Limited
PDM Produce (UK) Ltd
Galliers Homes Ltd
ZipWorld
Wynne Finch Farms
Bryncir Quarry
Work highlights
- Advised Ralph Tomley on the sale of land for development under a conditional contract and other supporting documents.
- Acting for Boys & Boden on the sale of factory units as an investment property.
- Advised a landowner on an option agreement to sell land to a developer for residential development.
- Advised Bryncir Quarry on the completion of a mineral extraction lease and deed of variation for a quarry.
- Acted for Wynne Finch Farms on a lease with option to purchase for a new dairy processing facility in Anglesey.
MFG Solicitors LLP
MFG Solicitors LLP advises landowners on the negotiation of promotion agreements and development options, assists developers with site assembly and development finance, and acts for institutional lenders on the financing of acquisitions and the refinancing of assets. David Raymont joined from FBC Manby Bowdler LLP in January 2019, while energy and renewables partner Miles Dearden left in March 2019 to take up an in-house role.
Practice head(s):
Maynard Burton
Other key lawyers:
Sarah Astbury; Peter Copsey; David Raymont
Key clients
HSBC Bank plc
Lloyds Bank plc
West Midlands Safari Park
Hagley Park LLP
Wyre Forest Community Housing
L G Harris and Co
Work highlights
- Advising Clive Fletcher Developments on a substantial regeneration project comprising a 400-berth marina, 84 holiday apartments and associated retail outlets and facilities.
- Advised Larford Farm Estates on the terms of a potential compulsory purchase of land adjoining the River Severn.
- Advised Vibe Student Living on the acquisition of two sites in Coventry on conditional contracts for redevelopment as two blocks of student housing comprising 66 beds and 115 beds respectively
- Advised a high street bank in connection with a loan facility of £3.2m on their customer’s purchase of 7.8 acres of commercial land in Worcestershire.
- Acting for We’ve Got Game on the new lease and fit-out of a unit at the Custard Factory in Birmingham.
Shakespeare Martineau LLP
Shakespeare Martineau LLP is particularly active in landlord and tenant matters, and specialises in advising corporate occupiers on leasing and transactions relating to headquarters. Other areas of expertise are land acquisitions for developers and portfolio transactions. Long-serving partner Richard Cox left to join Sydney Mitchell LLP as a consultant in October 2018.
Practice head(s):
Caroline Irvine
Other key lawyers:
Louise Drew; Janet James
Key clients
Galliford Try Partnership Limited
Kellaway Building Supplies Limited
Avonside Insulations Supplies Limited
Avonside Insulations Supplies Limited
Tin Tin Aye
Work highlights
- Instructed by Galliford Try on the acquisition of land in Warwick for the development of 350 houses.
- Acted on behalf of Tin Tin Aye in relation to a lease assignment of ground floor retails space and a workshop.
- Advising Kellaway Buildings Supplies on its lease renewal.
- Acted for Avonside Insulation Supplies in the negotiation of a new lease.
Ansons
The practice at Ansons, which is led by director Richard Saum, advises on both sides of the refinancing of portfolio properties, as well as acting for housebuilders and developers on residential development and commercial projects. The firm stands out for its strength in the agricultural sector, where assistant solicitor Neil Faunch has particular expertise, and acts on farm developments, secured lending to farming businesses, and the negotiation of option agreements for agricultural landowners.
Practice head(s):
Richard Saum
Other key lawyers:
Band Hatton Button LLP
Band Hatton Button LLP handles real estate acquisitions and disposals for clients in the healthcare, charity, retail and banking sectors as well as for investors and developers. Practice head Daniel Blood also has experience with large residential developments and assisting retailers with their property portfolios.
Practice head(s):
Daniel Blood
Other key lawyers:
Dina Parmar; Philip Costigan
Testimonials
‘Band Hatton Button provides a well rounded, personal legal advisory service‘
‘Dina Parmar provides a very good service. She goes the extra mile to ensure that the job was carried out and was helpful throughout the whole process‘
Key clients
Sisk Construction Group
Talk Talk Mobile Phones Limited
Heart of England Co-Operative Society Limited
Irwin and Wilcox Support Services Limited
Allied Irish Bank
Seraphina Properties Limited
Adriot Group Limited
Work highlights
- Advised Irwin and Wilcox Support Services on the disposal of a property portfolio used to house the supported living.
- Advised a retailing group in Warwickshire on a wide variety of property work including the purchase of its new head office.
- Assisted a large mobile phone business with its retail property portfolio.
- Acted for an investor regarding the sale of student accommodation in Coventry.
Hawkins Hatton Corporate Lawyers Limited
Well-known for its secured lending work, Hawkins Hatton Corporate Lawyers Limited handles financing matters for top-tier clients such as Lloyds and HSBC. The 'proactive' firm also advises developers, pension funds and clients in the industrial and retail sectors on development and real estate transactions. The 'outstanding' Colin Rodrigues leads the team. Associate Natasha Bhardwaj left to join Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP's Birmingham office in mid-2018.
Practice head(s):
Colin Rodrigues
Testimonials
‘Provides a rapid response that has proved invaluable when negotiating‘
‘All staff are obviously mentored to an extremely high level.‘
‘A consistent professional and high level service provided across all individuals within the team‘
‘The firm is very agile and proactive in its approach to client needs. Key strengths are speed of response allied to outstanding client and professional communication, overseen throughout at partner level‘
‘Colin Rodrigues is very strong in client service and outstanding in communication. He takes personal ownership at a case level and provides oversight throughout the client’s journey‘
Key clients
HSBC Bank plc
Santander
Lloyds Bank Plc
WMP Contracting Limited
Coast 2 Coast Developments Limited
HSBC Bank Plc
Jerroms Business Solutions Limited
Trustees of the Watson SSAS
Tarjinder Singh
Michael Duffy Partnership
Work highlights
- Acted on behalf of Coast 2 Coast Developments Limited in its £2.5m acquisition of a company owning hotel accommodation in Cornwall.
- Acted for HSBC Bank in its £1.68m lend to acquire a new build unit.
- Acted for the bank to assist the customer in relation to a facility of £210,000 towards the acquisition of an office building.
- Acted on behalf of Jerroms Business Solutions in its £377,250 acquisition of new business premises.
- Acted for the trustee of a pension fund in the sale of pension property for £400,000.
Knights plc
Karl Bamford, who heads the real estate team at Knights plc's base in Newcastle under Lyme, advises institutional investors on real estate portfolio work and has expertise handling commercial leases. Development is another mainstay of the practice. Former partner Hélène Maillet-Vioud left to join Geldards LLP in September 2018.
Practice head(s):
Karl Bamford
Beswicks Legal
Beswicks Legal covers a range of work including asset management, leasing and commercial property acquisitions. Another area of expertise is residential and commercial development, including site acquisitions for developers. Associate Simon Abbotts, who provides 'five star service', was promoted to head of the commercial property team in June 2018. In September 2018, Ian Johnston left for Wright Hassall LLP while Kate Pritchard joined as a solicitor from Pets at Home.
Practice head(s):
Simon Abbotts
Other key lawyers:
Kate Pritchard
Testimonials
‘Very approachable and accessible, all correspondence is swiftly responded to with attention to detail‘
‘Simon Abbotts is always incredibly helpful, efficient and approachable, with a great understanding of commercial property.’
‘The firm is extremely knowledgeable, proactive and helpful with a great service.’
‘The team provides pragmatic, commercially-minded advice‘
‘Great service – high quality individuals who help to ensure work is completed to a high standard‘
‘Offers an excellent level of service to clients. Communication is excellent with quick responses to questions and a proactive approach to resolving any issues that arise‘
‘Beswicks works in a timely and efficient manner and keep on top of the many and varied queries raised by buyers and sellers, pulling together vast amounts of information‘
‘Beswicks provided a prompt professional service throughout. We were always confident in the advice provided and would have no hesitation in recommending them to others‘
‘Always available and approachable no matter what the nature of the query. The firms excellent reputation in its keys areas of operation is well funded based on my personal experience‘
‘Simon Abbotts provides five star service‘
‘Simon Abbotts is always incredibly helpful, efficient and approachable, with a great understanding of commercial property‘
‘Simon Abbotts delivers proactive case management together with excellent communication skills; matters are progressed in a timely manner and regular updates are provided throughout the process; issues are raised quickly and practical solutions offered‘
‘Simon Abbotts is a very personal professional lawyer who carefully and successfully guided us through the processes. Particularly impressive is the speed of communication both written and verbal‘
Brethertons LLP
Brethertons LLP focuses on the purchase of residential and commercial development sites, the negotiation of lease agreements and real estate transactions. With particular strength in the retail sector, the firm's client roster includes developers, landowners, investors and corporate occupiers. After Tom Lawrence's departure to The Wilkes Partnership in February 2019, conveyancing head Tom Ansell was promoted to partner and stepped up to lead the real estate team.
Practice head(s):
Tom Ansell
Work highlights
- Advised Shuropody on the leasehold acquisition of various sites across the country to expand the retail business.
Enoch Evans LLP
Walsall-based Enoch Evans LLP handles a range of work for landowners, developers and corporate occupiers, including leasing, acquisitions of land and buildings and development matters. The team also has expertise in the management of property portfolios and refinancing. Solicitor Simon Hayden is the key member of the practice and is experienced in all real estate matters.
Practice head(s):
Sukie Shemar
Other key lawyers:
Harrison Clark Rickerbys
At Harrison Clark Rickerbys, Philip Parkinson heads the team in Worcester and handles acquisitions, disposals and leasing of commercial and residential property. Matthew Hayes in Hereford focuses on work relating to rural and agricultural land and buildings.
Practice head(s):
Philip Parkinson
Other key lawyers:
Hatchers Solicitors LLP
Based in Shrewsbury, Hatchers Solicitors LLP acts for developers, landowners and corporate occupiers on the acquisition of land and buildings for development purposes as well as on commercial leasing. Valerie Edwards has expertise handling commercial property transactions, while the team also advises on secured lending matters for banks.
Practice head(s):
Valerie Edwards
Work highlights
- Acting for a bank in relation to secured lending for a facility of just under £2m.
- Advising the owner of an independent petrol service station on its sale.
- Advised a manufacturer on the acquisition of a development site for the building and relocation of the company’s main UK premises.
- Advised an estate on the responsibility for the repair of a road way to potential development land.
- Acted for a property developer on the acquisition of vacant shop premises for conversion into residential flats and the construction of a townhouse in the grounds.
Pickerings Solicitors
Pickerings Solicitors has significant expertise in advising landowners, investors and developers on land acquisitions and sales, property disposals and leasing. Practice head Sue Albini handles a wide range of property transactions while solicitor Kate Pearce specialises in landlord and tenant matters.
Practice head(s):
Sue Albini
Other key lawyers:
Work highlights
- Represented the seller on the £11m sale of a large development site, with planning permission, to a housebuilder.
- Acted for a landowner granting an option to a housebuilder to acquire land and being given the option to purchase a new house on the development.
- Acting for a client company as part of a restructure which involved the sale of commercial property.
- Advising an investor on the purchase of an investment property with leaseback to seller.