International law firm Womble Bond Dickinson (WBD) has advised a leading fashion retailer in its move to a new London head office.
The firm has supported long-standing client and British retailer, New Look, on its move into the custom fitted out third and fourth floors of the seven-storey office and GPE building, The Hickman, along Whitechapel Road in the nation's capital.
A multi-disciplinary team led by partner, Nikki Powell, who works in the firm's operational property team, advised on the move, which sees the company situated at the Whitechapel premises for a ten-year lease with an option to break after seven years.
A number of teams within the firm assisted in the move, with partner Alistair Walton and associate Dan Clark (real estate), managing associate Amy Hodge and solicitor Luke Betteridge (construction), and managing associate James Clark (planning) providing key advice to New Look.
Also assisting on the deal was partner Rebecca Ferguson and managing associate Krish Dholakia in the firm's corporate team and partner Andrew Kimble on commercial matters.
Nikki said:
"Working with a number of teams across the firm to provide unmatched expertise and knowledge of the needs, challenges and requirements of a head office relocation, we are pleased to have continued to be a trusted, long-term advisor to New Look and play a key role helping find a new home in Whitechapel.
This move will allow the retailer a strong foundation to undertake further growth and solidify itself as a key brand on the British high street, and we are thrilled to have been able to support New Look on this major milestone."
Rupert Good, Property Director at New Look, said:
"We would like to extend our thanks to the whole WBD team without who this move would not have been possible, thanks to the firm's extensive experience of not only the sector, but the challenges of a head office move of this nature.
They were able to provide support across the full range of planning, construction, and commercial topics that come with a head office move, with Nikki and her team involved from HOTs stage onwards and working to an extremely tight timeline on a complex relocation project.
The team working on this critical project were committed to ensuring this deal was completed as smoothly as possible and risks were mitigated and minimised for our business throughout. We are delighted with our new Head Office and we are excited to continue our growth strategy in our new home over the coming years."
WBD's full-service Retail & Hospitality sector practice comprises over 150 lawyers and represents many of the world's best-known brands including ME&EM, Footlocker and New Look. For more information, visit our Retail & Hospitality page.
