As a retailer, you understand the many factors that help make your business a success. One of these is getting good quality legal support. The advice you need will range across the whole of your operation – from what to do about your property, to how to handle licence applications. Robert Botkai heads our Commercial Real Estate and Licensing Team which has developed experience and expertise in the Convenience and Petrol Forecourt sectors.

Our clients include national supermarkets and convenience store operators, oil companies and several of the top 50 Independent Forecourt Retailers. We understand the opportunities and challenges you face and we use that insight to help you to achieve your objectives, protect your businesses and manage your exposure to risk.

What we do

Whether you operate a single store or a chain of outlets, we can help you with:

• Acquiring and selling stores and businesses
• Alcohol licence applications
• Late night refreshment licence applications
• Advice on franchise/dealer agreements
• Support with employment contracts and disputes
• Guidance on commercial contracts
• Managing dispute resolution
• Advice on company acquisitions
• Employment law issues
• Planning applications

Real Estate

We provide a one-stop-shop for all your legal requirements. With the majority of acquisitions or disposals involving the transfer of a going concern (TOGC), the team is experienced in dealing with not only the transfer of the property (freehold or leasehold), but also the associated transfer of a business, its assets and employees.

Licensing

We represent clients all over England and Wales. We push the envelope with our innovative approach to licence applications, in particular relating to petrol forecourt stores. With over 2,000 successful applications behind us, our reputation is well established within the sector but also with the relevant police and licensing officers. We pride ourselves on our success in licensing stores where others have failed.