Case Insight

A snapshot of cases directed by us across the UK:

Negotiated £4.5m settlement for total extinguishment of business by a mixed use town centre redevelopment scheme; worked with leading forensic accountants on valuation issues
Negotiated £2.5m extinguishment settlement and a defined period of continued occupation of premises pending redevelopment of city centre shopping mall
In light of major city centre redevelopment proposals, considered all options for client including working up an alternative scheme design with an architect and exploring all relocation opportunities; succeeded in delaying CPO scheme; possession of premises and compensation claim pending
Exposed major weakness in proposals that were ancillary but fundamental to a CPO scheme resulting in a strong negotiating position despite premises falling outside CPO boundary; settlement terms confidential (continued below..)

Planning Inquiries

Secured refusal of planning permission for a 55,000sqft+ out of centre mixed use scheme that would have caused a significant adverse impact on the town centre and existing businesses – we were successful both at first instance and on the applicant’s appeal
Secured refusal of permission for a 30,000sqft edge of centre retail scheme both at first instance and at appeal – protecting the town centre and existing businesses for over 5 years
Succeeded in having two separate out of centre superstore applications ‘called-in’ by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government and secured the refusal of one of those applications at the inquiry that would otherwise have set a national precedent contrary to planning policy

Contested Lease Renewals

Brought to light a landlord’s unrealistic timescales for intended redevelopment and secured an additional four years of trading for the tenant’s business
Achieved delay to landlord’s redevelopment scheme by exploring technical issues concerning where the benefit of an old option for a new lease might lie; new lease ultimately secured for the tenant

Other Third Party Threats To Business

Protected business from major interruptions to delivery route during extensive tram route construction works; this was achieved by setting up and proactively managing discussions with the public sector-owned company responsible for delivering the project
Directed a delicate political situation centred around a proposed flood alleviation scheme that impacted upon trade premises; held negotiations with the Environment Agency and the local MP and agreed compensation terms; the matter required detailed examination of the design of the works and practical solutions to be proposed to various issues; the business’s future trade potential and customer perception of the business’s involvement with the scheme were kept in focus throughout
Established strong working relationship with a council’s preferred developer for a scheme adjacent to client’s business; the business was under threat from a separate potential cpo scheme; created opportunity for the business to acquire new premises in neighbouring scheme