Hospitality & leisure
Overview
At Hugh James, we bring deep sector knowledge and commercial insight to hospitality and leisure businesses across the UK. Whether you’re running a hotel group, pub chain, restaurant, brewery or leisure facility, we understand the pressures and opportunities facing the industry – and we’re here to help you make the most of both.
Our dedicated team advises on the full range of legal issues affecting the sector. From acquisitions and disposals to licensing, regulation, employment and litigation, we provide pragmatic, tailored advice that reflects the fast-moving nature of the industry.
We have particular expertise in:
- Property and business transactions – regularly advising on the sale and purchase of hospitality and leisure sites, including complex site-specific issues unique to the sector.
- Licensing and regulation – advising on licensing applications, compliance with health and safety legislation, data protection obligations, and broader regulatory challenges.
- Employment and HR support – providing practical, on-the-spot guidance on workforce management, including disciplinary matters, redundancy, TUPE and restructuring.
- Commercial contracts – negotiating a wide range of supplier, logistics, IT and software agreements, including food and drink supply, contract brewing, and bespoke service contracts.
- Banking and finance – acting for both borrowers and lenders on hospitality-focused lending, including development finance for hotels, bars, restaurants and leisure facilities.
We act as a trusted partner to our clients – helping them to grow, manage risk, and respond quickly to market demands. Whether you’re a start-up or an established operator, our team is on hand to support you.
We are also proud members of UKHospitality.
Our specialist services
- Contracts / commercial agreements
- Employment
- Property and construction
- Litigation
- M&A transactions
- Data protection
- Banking and Finance
- Licensing
- Disciplinary and regulatory hearings
- Governance issues
- Business Immigration
Our experience
Examples of our work in the sector includes advising:
- Milford Haven Port Authority on its purchase of the luxury St Brides Spa Hotel.
- Metro Bank in a landmark transaction that saved TGI Fridays restaurants and nearly 2,400 jobs across the UK.
- Glamorgan Brewing on a strategic partnership with LWC Drinks.
- Small Luxury Hotels of the World on partnership deals with Hilton Hotels & Resorts and Hyatt Hotels.
- The Celtic Collection and its related companies including Celtic Manor Resort on various matters.
- Football Association of Wales on various matters including the successful joint bid with other national associations to host the UEFA European Championships finals tournament for men in 2028.
- S.A. Brain & Co on the sale of a portfolio of 95 pub investments and on the agreed sale of its interest in Coffee #1 to Caffè Nero.
- Welsh Rugby Union on a joint venture which transformed two of Cardiff’s most iconic buildings into the luxury Parkgate Hotel; and on its multi-million pound joint venture providing hospitality services at the Principality Stadium.
- Milford Haven Port Authority on the construction and operation of the Tŷ Milford Waterfront hotel.
- Welsh Government on the £83.7m International Convention Centre Wales.
- Princes Gate Spring Water on its sale to Nestlé.
Key contact
Gerallt Jones
Gerallt is a partner and head of the corporate and commercial team. Since joining Hugh James in 2005, Gerallt has led the team to be a leading player within the corporate and commercial market, advising clients including the Welsh Government, Princes Gate Water and the Development Bank of Wales.
Gerallt also has particular expertise in the sport and food & drink sectors, leading Hugh James’s relationships with clients in these sectors including the Welsh Rugby Union and Braces Bakery.

Gerallt Jones

Partner
Head of Corporate and Commercial
Expertise:
Gerallt is a partner and head of the corporate and commercial team. Since joining Hugh James in 2005, Gerallt has led the team to be a leading player within the corporate and commercial market, advising clients including the Welsh Government, Princes Gate Water and the Development Bank of Wales.
Gerallt also has particular expertise in the sport and food & drink sectors, leading Hugh James’s relationships with clients in these sectors including the Welsh Rugby Union and Braces Bakery.
The team at Hugh James, led by Dan Morgan, have been superb, playing a key role in diligently supporting us through this significant transaction. Our long-standing relationship with Hugh James will certainly continue into the future as we continue to evolve and grow the Brains brand
Jon Bridge, Chief Executive, SA Brain & Co
Recent experience

Hugh James’ Banking and Finance team advises Metro Bank on TGI Fridays rescue, saving nearly 2,400 jobs

Hugh James advises The Seren Collection in securing strategic investment to elevate luxury hospitality experience in Wales

Construction lawyers scale new heights for iconic stadium attraction

Hugh James have assisted the Gole Group in their acquisition by Coaches’ Voice

Hugh James helps British Mountaineering Council secure partnership with HotelPlanner
Hugh James advises on strategic partnership for leading Welsh drinks wholesaler

Hugh James guides Port of Milford Haven in acquisition of St Brides Spa Hotel

Hugh James supports Small Luxury Hotels of the World™ for landmark collaboration with Hilton

Hugh James advises on acquisition of Cardiff Rugby

UK & Ireland confirmed to host historic UEFA EURO 2028

Hugh James advises SA Brain on sale of pub portfolio to Song Capital

Hugh James advises True Swing Ltd on licensing agreement for Gareth Bale’s golf-themed bar in Bristol

Hugh James advises Brains on sale of remaining stake in Coffee #1 to Caffè Nero

Hugh James advises Celtic Manor Resort on new hotel acquisition
Next steps
We’re here to get things moving. Drop a message to one of our experts and we’ll get straight back to you.
Call us: 033 3016 2222
Message us
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