Retail Property

Retail property requires legal advisers who understand income, occupation, customer experience and the role of an asset within its community. 

We work with in-house legal teams, property directors, estates teams, asset managers, managing agents and project teams to deliver advice that’s both technically robust and commercially useful.

Our team provides:

• Integrated support across transactions, disputes, development, construction, planning, finance and tax.
• Experience across shopping centres, retail parks, high streets, designer outlets, convenience stores and mixed-use destinations.
• Pragmatic advice informed by experience acting for both owners and occupiers.
• Scalable support for strategic projects, individual transactions and high-volume portfolio work.
• Clear communication, appropriate senior oversight and a focus on resolving issues without losing sight of the end goal.

We have the legal expertise and sector connections to support experts in placemaking at the forefront of helping developers to create and reshape town centres and high streets across the UK.

Bringing physical retail back into hearts and minds requires intimate knowledge of local communities to develop thriving destinations for a mix of uses — from residential, leisure, work and culture to education, entertainment and healthcare. 

One major challenge to this is fragmented ownership, with high street units focused on their own commercial objectives rather than a collective, long-term vision.

As leaders in regeneration — working with the likes of Peel Waters on projects such as Liverpool Waters and Chatham Waters, as well as Eden Project Morecambe via Lancaster City Council — we specialise in getting deals done with pace, precision and purpose.

We’re recognised by The Legal 500 for our involvement in “some of the biggest and most complicated development deals in recent times”. Trust our team to provide the legal and commercial insights needed to break down barriers, accelerate progress and make places work.

Our team is led by Head of Retail Helena Davies — a specialist property litigator who’s deeply embedded in the retail sector with a focus on ESG, community impact and urban regeneration projects. Helena has led many innovative projects and campaigns that bring together retail sector leaders to drive real change and progress.

She works alongside Iain Gamble, who heads up our real estate practice group. With expertise in property development, Iain specialises in long-term, large-scale and complex urban renewal projects. He's worked on Liverpool Waters, Wirral Waters, Chatham Waters and Everton’s Bramley Moore Dock stadium development, as well as Eden Project Morecambe.

Susan Samuel has vast experience in acquiring and managing substantial property portfolios including high-profile shopping centres. She acts for global brands, corporates and operators, investors, developers and funders throughout the entire lifecycle of their real estate.

Matt Ramsden works closely with retailers, leisure and hospitality businesses and corporate occupiers on their property requirements. His expertise in ESG sees him advise on energy efficiency regulations and ‘green lease’ drafting.

Ben Lamb specialises in commercial property investment as well as commercial and residential development. He advises a range of occupiers, including international companies, national retailers, serviced-office providers and hotel and leisure operators.

Richard Roberts advises on the acquisition and disposal of freehold and leasehold business premises, commercial property management and non-contentious landlord and tenant law with considerable expertise in multi-site transfer or regear projects, sub-sale and leaseback transactions as well as the acquisition and disposal of going concerns.

Jennie Jones is an experienced construction lawyer with specialist expertise in resolving disputes through adjudication, arbitration, mediation and litigation. She's also experienced in advising clients on transactional construction matters and regularly advises on and drafts both bespoke and standard forms of construction contracts and associated documents.

We’re committed to helping shape the future of the retail destination sector. Our two Future of Retail: Risk & Resilience Conferences brought together over 150 senior leaders to explore the risks, opportunities and innovations influencing the sector. 

Contributors included Google, Landsec, Retail Trust, American Golf, Dunelm and Next — creating a platform for meaningful discussion around the opportunities and challenges that are transforming retail destinations.

A key focus was Martyn's Law and its implications for retailers, landlords and destination owners. Working alongside keynote speaker Figen Murray OBE (whose campaigning led to the legislation), we wanted to raise awareness of the law and provide practical guidance to businesses preparing for implementation.

In addition, we’re proud to sponsor the Investment Deal of the Year category at the Revo’s 2026 to help recognise those who are driving the retail, leisure and placemaking sectors forwards.

As a certified B Corp, we’re committed to creating positive impact. Alongside supporting specific town centre regeneration projects in Wakefield and Bootle, we continue to invest in initiatives that create lasting environmental and social benefits. This includes community allotment partnerships and committing to becoming net zero by 2040 (ten years ahead of the Paris Agreement target). Our partnerships with The Counselling & Family Centre in Manchester and Grow Wakefield in Leeds are helping to create accessible green spaces, support wellbeing and strengthen local communities through both financial investment and colleague volunteering.

We also committed a further £66,000 to the Kingsdale Head peatland restoration project, building on our original investment to support the restoration of more than 400 hectares of internationally important peatland. Recognised within the UN Race to Zero Progress Report, the project now supports biodiversity, education and community engagement initiatives.