From start up to global success, our Retail team understands the changing retail market like few others. We de-risk and future proof your growing brand, giving you the security and the flexibility to focus on your business. Our Retail team supports clients like SuperGroup, Tiger, Cotswold Outdoor and Pure Gym with a wide range of expertise, from property growth to employment issues, branding, supplier and distribution contracts to overseas growth.
Like to know more? Please get in touch with Antonia Shield.
Supergroup
"Would we be as large as we are in the UK? No, I can say this completely honestly, without BPE and your support, the company would not be the size it is today." SuperGroup
SuperGroup is a distinctive branded UK fashion retailer, offering quality clothing and accessories under its main brand name, Superdry.
It operates a multi-channel business through a combination of standalone stores, concessions, e-Commerce and UK and International Wholesale operations. We first became involved with SuperGroup when the retail giant was a fledgling business with just five shops branded 'Cult'.
We were an integral part in SuperGroup's Initial public offering, managing all relevant property due diligence and supporting the company in the only really successful IPO to happen during the recession.
Superdry now has over 135 UK and European standalone retail stores and operates from a growing portfolio of concessions, alongside franchised and licensed stores. Superdry is a global fashion brand and via its store portfolio and websites, is sold in over 100 countries.
Services BPE provides to SuperGroup
- Freehold property acquisitions
- Lease agreements
- Development agreements
- Fit out licences
- Portfolio management (including disposals)
- Concession agreements
Tiger
We have been providing Tiger UK (Midlands) Ltd with legal advice on property acquisitions, leasehold agreements and portfolio management since 2014.
"I have a very aggressive roll out plan and don't have time to worry about the small details in multiple areas. Knowing that BPE have all legal aspects covered is of paramount importance." Simon Hall, Director, Tiger UK (Midlands) Ltd
We provide Tiger with the following services:
- Freehold property acquisitions
- Lease agreements
- Development agreements
- Fit out licences
- Portfolio management (including disposals)
- Concession agreements
The Tiger Case Study is available to download here.
Helping Retailers Generate Their Own Electricity
Marks & Spencer's brand new East Midlands distribution centre in Castle Donnington now generates enough energy to make the fully automated centre, which is big enough to hold 11 football pitches, close to being self-sufficient during daylight hours.
Our Renewables team worked with SBC Renewables, a subsidiary of EMDC Solar Company and designers of the solar panel installation. Our team advised on the commercial property lease of the roof space, the corporate structure of the project and construction aspects of the building which included decommissioning and rebuilding an adoptable estate road, footpaths and sewers, and a brand new freight terminal which required 1.4 kilometres of new line to connect to the rail network.
EMDC lease the roof space and sells the energy back to M&S, with any excess being sold to the grid. Our Renewables team advised SBC on the power purchase agreement (PPA) for the sale of energy to the retailer and for the overspill energy sold back to the grid, as well as advising on Renewable Obligation Certificates ensuring the builder/developer received a fixed energy price for 20 years.
Pure Gym
Founded in 2008 by serial entrepreneur Peter Roberts, after we assisted him in the growth and disposal of Golden Tulip hotel chain to Whitbreads, Pure Gym is now the largest gym operator in the UK.
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We have been Pure Gym's property lawyers since the Company opened its first two sites in 2009. Most recently, our Commercial Property team supported the client in becoming the largest gym operator in the UK with the recent takeover of LA Fitness.
During Pure Gym's takeover of rival keep fit chain, LA Fitness, we were instructed to undertake all property legal work for LA Fitness's 43 sites, excluding those in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Our Commercial Property team had just 48 hours to produce 43 lease reports over the May bank holiday weekend, prior to Pure Gym's bid offer.
The rapid expansion of the company has needed a responsive and integrated senior team of property, commercial and from time to time, employment lawyers who understand how the company works, and can anticipate the commercial drivers in any given situation, taking away as much stress as possible.
MandMDirect
For the past 10 years, we have supported MandMDirect at every stage of the company's evolution, including a management buy-out in 2004 by ECI Partners, shortly before the company's re-branding to the recognisable MandMDirect brand of today.
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"Working with BPE's commercial team is a refreshing change. We have relied on them for all our commercial legal advice over the past 10 years because of their ability to strip away the technical jargon, explain things in plain English and take a realistic, commercial view. From our point of view, speed of response is one of BPE's strongest assets." Mike Tomkins, Chief ExecutiveMandMDirect.
We provide MandMDirect with the following services:
- Support on IT projects including online retail channels
- Advice on licensed deals with well known brands such as Slazenger, Dunlop, Lonsdale and Kangol
- Prize draw and competitions
- Brand & goodwill protection
- Financial sales agreements
- Contracts with suppliers and key partners
- Overseas growth with streamlining sales channels in Germany
- Advising on contractural terms and online retail partners in France
You can download the full MandM case study here.
Lifemarque
Lifemarque Limited designs and manufactures travel and outdoor healthcare, camping equipment, outdoor children's products and dog accessories.
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Our Employment team has been working with Lifemarque for many years and the firm also offers them advice on Intellectual Property.
"BPE are one of the few firms we've ever used where they actually give you an opinion and point us in the right direction which is what we really like." Neil Butler, Finance Diretor, Lifemarque Ltd.
Our Employment team has been working with Lifemarque for many years, providing general day to day advice to the Finance Director on all matters related to HR and Employment law.
Cotswold Outdoor
We continue to support this well-known specialist retailer with its commercial contracts, corporate and employment work.
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The ability to see the client on the same day when necessary undoubtedly adds value and helps to deliver an integrated and responsive service.
Jardinerie, Blooms, Wyevale
We acted for Jardinerie Limited when they were bought by Blooms of Bressingham Plc. Blooms were so impressed that we were retained to act for the newly expanded group.
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We then assisted Blooms in some major developments to enhance their retail offer across their portfolio, which included the Bicester Avenue joint venture with LaSalle Investment Management. During that development, we supported Blooms in the aggressive take over by Wyevale and ended up being appointed by Wyevale to manage their concession portfolio.
St John Ambulance and Blue Cross
We support a number of charities with a diverse range of property matters from acquisitions and disposals to general property management.
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The importance of a High Street retail presence for charities is here to stay and we strive to deliver support as cost effectively as possible in an environment where rents are generally low.