Published: 24th July 2020
Area: Firm News
Client
Celebrating success: Our Q2 roundup of deals and client wins
Celebrating success: Our Q2 roundup of deals and client wins
Q2 has been a quarter like no other thanks to COVID-19. However, that hasn’t stopped us from being involved with some brilliant deals and having our own fair share of successes.
In fact, we completed an average of nine corporate transactions a week across a range of sectors with a value of over £420 million pounds in Q1 and Q2. If that doesn’t show the resilience of businesses, we don’t know what does.
Here are a few of our success stories from Q2:
Pioneer Park
Team: Real estate
Background: In April, we supported Brackley Property Developments Ltd. with a deal involving a major office development at Pioneer Park in Leicester. The office space is part of the city’s regeneration plans and will be used by Leicester City Council to support local businesses, particularly those in the science and technology sectors.
What we advised on: All legal aspects of the deal, including the development and funding agreements with the Council.
Peter Dilks, one of our partners and real estate specialist, said: “Regeneration is a vital part of any city, and Pioneer Park will give Leicester City Council a modern new building to enable more high-tech SME’s to locate to this innovative technology park.”
Related services
Cofresh
Team: Corporate
Worth: Multimillion-pound deal
Background: To round off Q2, in June, we advised on the sale of leading Indian snack brand, Cofresh Snack Foods. A family business made up of two key brands, Cofresh and Eat Real, Cofresh Snack Foods was a tempting opportunity for the buyer, Vibrant Foods. This deal was a truly collaborative effort involving a variety of our teams at the firm.
What we advised on: All legal and corporate aspects of the deal, including property, tax and employment.
Roy Botterill, corporate partner and head of our Leicester office, said: “Cofresh brands are a familiar sight on supermarket shelves across the country and to see a deal of this magnitude complete – against the backdrop of COVID-19 – is fantastic.
“It just goes to show that there are still real opportunities, across the East Midlands marketplace and beyond, for innovative, successful brands to secure investment and find buyers.”
Platform Housing
Team: Real estate
Worth: £5.7 million
Background: June marked the completion of a multimillion-pound affordable housing scheme at Hunts Grove in Gloucester. Comprising of 30 units for both shared ownership and rent to buy, Platform Housing aims to make this a scheme that provides a tangible and positive difference to the local area. This was the second completion that we had worked with Platform Housing on this year.
What we advised on: All legal aspects of the deal.
Joanna Deffley, another of our real estate partners and West Midlands regional head, said: “The completion of this scheme is extremely positive news for affordable housing development in the area and indicates positive movement in the market following a stutter at the start of lockdown.”
We've also won some new clients and are looking forward to becoming their trusted legal advisor:
Anglian Water
Team: Energy
Background: May saw us appointed onto Anglian Water Group’s legal panel of advisers. The appointment is set to last five years, and we will be advising the company on a variety of matters from property and property litigation to planning.
Janet James, partner and energy specialist, said: “It’s a privilege to be working with Anglian. The company is involved in some incredibly innovative projects, including plans to achieve energy and carbon neutrality, and it will be fantastic to work with them and see these goals come to life.”
Purplebricks
Team: Commercial
Background: In June, we were instructed to support Purplebricks, one of the UK’s leading online and hybrid estate agents. We will be advising the agency across a range of disciplines and services including:
- Claims
- Commercial litigation
- Reviewing letting terms and tenancy agreements
- Supporting agents in drafting contracts for specialist lettings
- Full regulatory compliance reporting
- Financial regulatory assessments
- Data protection compliance
Ed Wright, one of our commercial partners, said: “As a multidisciplinary firm, we strive to bolster our clients’ support network and provide a comprehensive service. It’s a privilege to be working with Purplebricks, helping to put both the agent and firm front and centre of the property sector.”
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