The UK retail sector is evolving rapidly – for example the way in which consumers shop, the influence of online shopping and often quoted struggle between “bricks and clicks” as well as the changing nature of the high street and the wider retail environment are all affecting the use, financial viability and location of pure retail assets.
Forsters advises a range of clients who own, invest or develop real estate assets within the retail and leisure sectors and we have an extensive track record of advising these clients, particularly on large-scale and complex mixed-use developments incorporating residential, leisure and restaurant elements.
Our lawyers are extremely experienced in advising shopping centre owners and operators, acting as principal advisor on a number of significant shopping centre schemes across the country.
The team at Forsters is uniquely placed to advise on alternative rental structures, having been involved in drafting and negotiating turnover rent leases through various economic cycles. The greater sense of collaboration and sharing of risk and reward between landowner and its occupier customers brought about since the onset of COVID-19 has seen turnover rents become front pages news once again and the experience of the team built up over the decades is market leading and we aim to demystify the process with a practical hands on approach.
Our cohesive approach enables us to draw on a variety of skill sets to progress schemes from the planning stage right through to negotiating leases with anchor tenants or in the case of owner occupiers, operating. The comprehensive commercial and pragmatic advice we deliver to our clients provides a solid foundation to their overall investment strategy and approach.
We have the ability to call upon colleagues from other departments within Forsters and regularly work alongside teams from Tax, Planning, Construction, Dispute Resolution, Corporate Finance and Corporate all of whom have extensive experience of advising on real estate specific matters in their respective fields.
Our track record
We are proud to have acted for a number of our key clients in this sector including:
- abrdn
- The Chimes Shopping Centre
- Eldon Square, Newcastle
- Lakeside Shopping Centre, Thurrock
- LXB Retail Properties PLC
- McDonald’s restaurants
Department stores considering a wide range of uses to fill vacant spaces - Andrew Denye speaks to Property Week
Partner and Head of Retail, Andrew Denye, has been quoted in a Property Week article discussing the wide range of uses former department store owners are considering to fill the vacant spaces.
Landlords on alert as Cineworld collapse raises spectre of widespread closures – Andrew Denye speaks to CoStar
Head of Retail, Andrew Denye, has offered his comments to CoStar News on how Britain’s Cineworld, the world’s second-biggest cinema chain, has filed for bankruptcy protection in the US in a move that has left landlords across the country staring down the barrel of widespread anchor-unit closures.
