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Pub Operators

Keeping your doors open for business

Keeping your doors open for business

We have helped managed, leased and tenanted pub operators to trade successfully for over 30 years

About our expertise

With over 30 years’ experience advising pub operators we understand how the law affects your business whether you are a managed, leased or a tied operator. You can be confident that our extensive experience of the sector will deliver the expertise you need. In a challenging climate we have seen a trend for more innovative joint ventures and different types of management agreements, including franchised models, experiential offerings, extended opening and other trading terms. Our creative approach means that we can help you to shape an arrangement that meets your commercial needs.

Our clients base ranges from start-ups, SMEs and regional pub groups to large national operators as well as brewers and drinks companies. 

We advise on all issues affecting pub operators including standard tenancy and franchise agreements, buying and selling portfolios of tenanted and managed pubs, estate management work, securitisations/refinancing of managed and tenanted pub estates, acquisitions of distressed business assets out of pre-pack administration or sales from administrators, dealing with all related aspects including the sale and purchase of stock and fixtures and fittings, employees (including TUPE), VAT and capital allowances. 

Key contacts

Leo Skinner's Profile

Leo Skinner

Partner, Head of Drinks, Hospitality & Leisure

Testimonials

  • MA

    “Leo and his team at Freeths act for The Big Table Group. I have had a longstanding relationship with Leo including my present role as Director of...

    Matt Ainger, Property Director

    Big Table Group

  • MG

    “Freeths LLP have been our long term legal partner providing expertise and professionalism in handling both our everyday needs as well as supportin...

    Mark Grunnell, Co-founder and Chief Executive

    Red Oak Taverns

  • KA

    “I have worked with Leo since April 2021 and he has provided me with inciteful and commercial support which can only come from someone who understa...

    Kamran Aziz, Managing Director

    RedCat Pub Company

  • HS

    "Peach Pubs grew through acquiring freeholds and leaseholds (both private and pubco) over 20 years. Freeths became part of our success in the la...

    Hamish Stoddart, Co-founder

    Peach Pub Company

  • PD

    “Leo and all of the team at Freeths are undoubted leisure sector specialists and are both commercial and pragmatic in their advice. They are able...

    Phil Derbyshire, Group Property Director

    The Restaurant Group Plc

  • RM

    “Partnering with Freeths has provided us with invaluable support for our property activities. Their expert guidance and seamless service have prove...

    Richard Maslin, Property Director

    The Liberation Group

  • JD

    “We have worked with Freeths for well over a decade for matters concerning our wine business and wine bars and restaurants, and are consistently im...

    James Davy, Chairman

    Davy’s

  • GB

    "I have worked with Freeths for over two decades, firstly as an advisor alongside them when acting for a client, and more recently as the principal...

    Graeme Bunn, Property & Acquisitions Director

    Red Oak Taverns

  • TD

    “Leo and his team at Freeths act for BKUK Group Limited and have done so since the inception of the business in its current form in 2017. I have ha...

    Tim Doubleday, CFO

    BKUK Group Limited

  • NB

    “Freeths has provided unrivalled legal advice to our portfolio businesses in the pubs sector for many years. Their team regularly goes above and be...

    Noah Bulkin, Managing Partner

    May Capital

  • JL

    “I have used Freeths for many years now, both on property and transactional matters. There are many reasons that I have used them so much, but top...

    John Leslie, Non-Executive Director

    Oakman Inns and Restaurants

  • PM

    "The Late-Night sector has had some particularly difficult trading conditions over the last year, which meant unfortunately we had to take on board...

    Peter Marks, Chairman

    UK – REKOM

Get in touch

Contact us today

Whatever your legal needs, our wide ranging expertise is here to support you and your business, so let’s start your legal journey today and get you in touch with the right lawyer to get you started.

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