Overview for Commercial Property Legal Services
In A Class Of Their Own
If you have any issues around Commercial Property, your first priority is to get advice and help from people who really know what they’re doing.
When you first get in touch, your call will be taken by an experienced solicitor who’ll take the time (without the clock running) to assess whether your issue is something we can help you with.
Our Commercial Property specialists have long experience of acting for both private and corporate landowners, developers, builders, and Housing Associations. Agricultural land acquisition and development is another area where our reputation is growing.
With offices across Northamptonshire and Leicestershire in Northampton, Kettering, Corby, Higham Ferrers, Wellingborough and Leicester we can meet you at a location convenient to you. As a local firm, our local knowledge often proves invaluable. So too is the fact that here under one roof we have specialists qualified to cover contentious and non-contentious areas of law. So if something crops up during a transaction, the same team who know you and your business can take that on too, and tap into our external network of other professional advisors.
In a recent survey:
- 93% of respondents rated us as extremely or very satisfied in relation the overall experience.
- 93% rated us the same in relation to convenience of use.
- 100% rated us the same for ease of communication throughout the process…..and you can’t get much better than that!
- 98% were Extremely or Very satisfied when it came to answering any queries or addressing any concerns they had.
We are delighted that our Commercial Property and Housing Teams have again been recognised by the Legal 500.
Another thing: we believe in transparency over fees, so that from the outset you know what your costs should be.
Simply pick up the phone to get started.
Thanks for the help and assistance in getting our very complex transactions completed. I speak for all of my family when I say that we fully and totally appreciate the work and advice John, Kevin, Travis and the wider team at WB have provided throughout.
The level of service, technical knowledge and support is nothing short of excellent. I have no doubt that without this level of support we would not have got this over the line.
We have and will continue to refer all legal work to WB from friends, family and business contacts. As always, Wilson Browne Solicitors have delivered best in class service and got the job done without any disruptions.
I can’t praise John and the team’s efforts highly enough! To think we concluded a lot of this throughout lockdown and COVID is outstanding. Reemesh Patel – SK Energy
Commercial Property Case Studies
Legal 500 Recognised Commercial Property Team Act On £10Million Property Transaction
Partner Tom Warrender led the Legal 500 Recognised Commercial Property Team here at Wilson Browne Solicitors acting for a local business in a commercial property deal worth over 10 million pounds.
The deal has seen contracts exchanged on the acquisition of a site subject to the construction of a 60 thousand + square foot warehouse facility. The deal is conditional on planning, building contracts and all of the usual conditionality for this type of transaction.
This transaction has required matters to be dealt with in a very prompt and timely manner, with some of the terms having altered and been renegotiated along the way, it was imperative to the instructing client company that they had a solicitor that was pro-active, provided practical and commercially sensible legal advice, whilst being extremely responsive and always available to take client calls in order that swift commercial decisions could be made by the client.
The commercial sensitivity of the deal means that client confidentiality is required at this stage but once the transaction reaches completion then watch this space for a further case study giving full details of the company that we acted for and what this transaction means for them as a business.
The instructing client commented;
Tom has been fantastic to work with, extremely responsive and always providing practical commercial advice and solutions along the way.
Tom commented;
It has been an absolute pleasure to act on this transaction and it is great that we reached exchange of contracts in a timely manner. I look forward to working further with the client on this project through to completion and in particular look forward to receiving the grand tour once the warehouse is complete!
If you require commercial property legal advice then please don’t hesitate to contact Tom or any of the team on 0800 088 6004.
The Park Lodge Project (a registered charity) receives representation from Tom Warrender, on a number of property related matters
Partner Tom Warrender recently acted for Park Lodge Project in relation to their acquisition of a lease of premises in Leicester which will enable them to provide short term temporary housing to young vulnerable people.
Park Lodge Project is a charity registered company that promises to provide supported accommodation for thirty three young homeless people between the ages of sixteen and twenty five.
At the Park Lodge Project, they provide a safe and supportive environment for all young people. Their staff support all young people to ensure that they gain the necessary life skills required for independence and each young person receives an individual resettlement plan. Within each plan, their staff continue to support them once they have moved on into suitable accommodation to ensure they live successfully within the community.
In recent years, our Legal 500 recognised Social Housing Team has acted for Park Lodge Project on new leases, purchases, property refinancing matters, lease variations, and surrenders, as well as providing ad-hoc advice as and when needed.
During the transaction in question, it was imperative that tight timescales were met, that the client obviously had all due diligence covered, but that they were able to allow this short term temporary accommodation to the young and vulnerable which is key to their operation.
Eddie Bailey, CEO of Park Lodge Project, said
The Park Lodge Project (a registered charity) has received representation from Tom Warrender, of Wilson Browne Solicitors, on a number of property related matters.
They supported the project to purchase its first two properties which was a significant development for this small charity. Tom gave knowledgeable advice and representation to bring these matters to a prompt and successful conclusion.
Tom has also assisted the project to secure lease arrangements for two further properties within the private sector. Both involved landlords supplying leases which needed further negotiation and modification, and Tom and his team were instrumental in ensuring the projects interests were safeguarded. These became lengthy matters due to the other parties slow and often ineffectual responses, and Tom’s tenacity and persistence eventually paid off with successful completion.
We would like to thank Wilson Browne Solicitors for their professionalism and dedication in each matter. Wilson Browne, and Tom especially, have been approachable and personable whilst maintaining a professional outlook. We would recommend their services to others.”
Our Legal 500 recognised Social Housing Team act for a number of private and professional landlords, including charities and housing associations. Our specialist team has many years experience in advising on all the issues affecting this sector in the contentious and non-contentious areas.
A Premier Production from the Legal 500 recognised commercial property Team
Partner Tom Warrender of our Legal 500 recognised Commercial Property Team here at Wilson Browne was delighted to act for Premier Production Limited with regards to their acquisition of new commercial premises in Birmingham that completed just before the Christmas Break.
Premier Production pride themselves on being a forward thinking, professional technical production company that offer exceptional creativity and high quality, no compromise service. It was therefore understandable that when seeking legal advice they wanted a firm that match their ethos. Partner Tom Warrender was recommended to Matt Bailey (Director of Premier Production) and it was clear from an initial conversation that the two followed the same ethos.
Tom was able to turn matters around in an extremely tight timescale while still offering the client the level of due diligence and professional service that one would expect from an award winning law firm like Wilson Browne Solicitors.
Matt commented “I couldn’t recommend Tom enough, he helped complete on our new premises in a tight timescale before Christmas with the ongoing Covid restrictions. Tom was very efficient, kept me up to date with progress throughout and the process was as smooth as I could have asked for.”
Tom added
It was a pleasure to act for Matt in this matter. It was clear from our early conversation that we shared a very similar work ethic. I am delighted that we were able to get this one over the line within the timescales the client required and I am sure the new premises will offer Premier Production the opportunity to go from strength to strength in 2021.
Whilst based in the Midlands, Premier Production serve the whole of the UK and Europe offering everything you need to make an award ceremony, product launch, conference or any other event a truly memorable one. Whether it is a single microphone hire for a weekend, DJ equipment hire for a club event or a week long multi arena extravaganza they can provide everything that you need to turn your idea into reality. For more information visit their website
Similarly Wilson Browne Solicitors are your local practice with national reach and pride ourselves on being All The Help You Need. if you require commercial property legal advice then please do not hesitate to reach out to a member of our Legal 500 recognised commercial property team today on 0800 088 6004.
Commercial Property Team delighted to act for Ubbink (U.K.) Limited in their recent acquisition of a new Lease of a 24,042 square foot Unit
Partner, Tom Warrender, led the Team at Wilson Browne Solicitors acting for Ubbink and the matter recently reached a satisfactory conclusion.
Ubbink had reached out to Tom early doors when they were looking at other premises and things were at very early stages. Tom was able to introduce them to Rob Keeves and Charles Church of Underwoods who were able to assist in negotiating terms on a new Lease. Having looked at a couple of properties, terms were finally agreed for the Property at Mansard Close and Underwoods successfully negotiated some fantastic terms for the Client and Tom was then able to act in dealing with getting the Lease and associated documents in place within the Client’s required timeframe. Underwoods were also able to assist via Bill Crowther, in putting together the Schedule of Condition to limit the Client’s repairing liability under the terms of the Lease.
As well as dealing with the legal complexities that a matter such as this can bring, it also required clear communication between all parties, including working with the Landlord’s Agent, Joe Smith of Drake Commercial, to ensure that those all important timescales were met.
Tom commented “it was a pleasure to act for Ubbink in this matter. It is always good to be involved in projects at a very early stage and, in being involved so early on, I have seen the hard work and dedication that Steve Shore and his Team have put in to getting this deal in place. This is a very significant investment for Ubbink and there are certainly exciting times ahead for them!”
Steve Shore commented “moving the UK business for Ubbink was an exhausting minefield of technicalities, way above my remit so how delighted was I that I struck a partnership with Wilson Browne and in-particular Tom Warrender, his knowledge, drive and understanding was absolutely key with great levels of communication and Charles Church from Underwoods was also vital, I have learnt that when you get into something like moving a business lock, stock and barrel, involve yourself with a very good, strong team as it pays off, I am very proud of the end result and our business will now go to the next level very quickly.”
Ubbink can trace its history (across Europe) back to 1896 and this move will see the Company move to new, larger premises.
Ubbink (U.K.) Ltd is part of the Ubbink Centrotherm Group, owned by Centrotec Sustainable AG and offer 40 years experience and technical expertise in the UK market, resulting in high customer support and service which they pride themselves on trading specifically in the roofing and ventilation market. Centrotec Sustainable AG is one of Europe’s leading manufacturers of sustainable roofing and building solutions, with Ubbink UK focusing on product groups which are not only high in quality and performance but very easy to install and range from roofing products and ventilation ductwork systems.
Both Ubbink (U.K.) Limited and Wilson Browne Solicitors are members of Northamptonshire Chamber of Commerce.
Proud to represent MEZ Management Ltd in their recent commercial property purchase.
MEZ Electric Motors will soon be available from stock in the UK. Van Houcke UK Ltd, a subsidiary of Belgian Van Houcke NV are moving to new premises as a result of this deal. MEZ Management Ltd was incorporated in the UK in August 2020 for holding an industrial unit in Northampton where Van Houcke UK Ltd will stock MEZ motors.
Giving the impending changes due at the end of the year as a result of Brexit, timescales were of upmost importance to the client here. Partner, Tom Warrender, was proud to lead our Legal 500 recognised Commercial Property Team here at Wilson Browne Solicitors on this significant project for the client company.
Tom commented
It was an absolute pleasure to act for MEZ in this matter and I am pleased that we were able to bring things to a satisfactory conclusion.
Jerry Hodek, Director, commented
It was important for us, both here in the UK but also for our Head Office in Belgium, to appoint a solicitor who could conduct all of the necessary due diligence in a thorough and diligent way, whilst also having an eye on the timescales and ensuring everything came together as planned. We were delighted with the work Tom conducted for us in this matter.
First-class delivery for international freight operator United Pallet Network (UK) Ltd
United Pallet Network (UK) Ltd (UPN) opened it’s new state of the art SmartHUB on Monday 11th May 2020.
The Legal 500 recognised Commercial Property Team at Wilson Browne Solicitors were delighted to act for them in this matter. We helped to facilitate the deal which sees UPN move to premises at Fradley Park as part of its continued growth.
Timings for the deal were critical and our role was to ensure that the move progressed with minimal disruption to the ever-expanding business. The move is driven by the growth projections & operational development strategy of UPN, which required more modern & expansive facilities close to its previous base. Prior to the move over £3million was invested in the new facility to ensure that it fully meets the needs of the specialised UPN operation both now & in the future.
Martyn Chapman Founder & Chair of UPN said
Both myself & David Brown our MD worked closely with Tom Warrender and his team for many months with regard to finalising this deal. UPN has been a client of Wilson Browne for over eighteen years now and we have always found them to be professional and efficient with their advice. We work closely with several of their partners at the firm with regard to commercial law, employment law, trusts, property and trade marks. They are an integral part of our extended management team.
The UPN Board of Directors are extremely excited about this move and the significant potential for growth and expansion that it will bring for both us and our network,” said David Brown – UPN Managing Director, “This move and level of investment will allow us to continue to be recognised as a high quality, member focussed UK pallet network.
Established in 2001 UPN has grown steadily into a high quality palletised freight distribution network. Focussed on growth through member success UPN currently has over 90 members covering the whole of the UK with European partners providing coverage throughout 26 countries worldwide.
This deal was cited by the Northamptonshire Logistics Forum as one of the key reasons Wilson Browne Solicitors were awarded Logistics Team of the Year at the Northamptonshire Logistics Awards 2019.
Frequently Asked Questions about Commercial Property
When is an EPC not required for commercial property?
Commercial properties don’t need an Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) if they’re listed buildings or officially protected.
Other criteria for exemption includes places of worship, industrial sites that don’t use much energy, detached buildings with floor space under 50 square meters, or buildings that are due to be demolished.
What does a commercial property solicitor do?
Commercial property solicitors can provide legal advice and services on; transactions, contracts, disputes, financing, tax, insurance and timescales. They often work a variety of clients from landlords and investors to developers and corporate groups.
Why do I need a solicitor to rent a commercial property?
Although not a legal requirement when renting commercial properties, a commercial property solicitor can help adequately protect your interests, clarify responsibilities and help simplify complex legal jargon.
What to ask before renting a commercial property?
Good questions to ask before renting commercial properties include any matters around rent, lease, permitted use, restrictions, maintenance and repair responsibilities and fees.
What are the fees for selling a commercial property?
When selling a commercial property, you will need to factor in commercial agent fees, which range from 1-2% and solicitors fees, which are often 0.5-1.25% of the total transaction value.
Does a commercial lease have to be drawn up by a solicitor?
While not a legal requirement, it is highly recommended to enlist a solicitor to draw up a commercial lease to ensure a smooth transaction and protect your interests.
Do you need a solicitor to sell a commercial property?
It is not a legal requirement to have a solicitor when selling a commercial property. However, a commercial property solicitors can help ensure sales go smoothly, manage funds, and handle any legal paperwork, such as replies to Commercial Property Standard Enquiries (CPSEs)