Shepherd and Wedderburn advises British Land on Esporta deal

July, 2011 - Edinburgh, Scotland

Shepherd and Wedderburn has acted for client British Land in a UK-wide leisure property acquisition. British Land acquired 17 Virgin Active racket clubs for £179 million from health club chain New Esporta Holdings including Scottish leisure and golf facilities in Hamilton and Milngavie.

Shepherd and Wedderburn managed all legal aspects of the corporate deal for the sites in Scotland, providing detailed specialist advice on real estate and planning issues and liaising with SJ Berwin who acted for British Land on the acquisition of facilities south of the border.

Shepherd and Wedderburn, whose team was led by Partner Nick Ryden, has a longstanding relationship with British Land.

Nick said: “This is a significant, UK-wide deal for British Land and, for them, a rare acquisition in the health and leisure sector. It gave us an opportunity to once again demonstrate our expertise in delivering a successful outcome. Our involvement underlines the strong relationship and close bonds which exist between the firm and the quality clients like British Land.”

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