What are you looking for?

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


Our experience

Examples of our work in the sector includes advising:

Key contact

Gerallt Jones

Partner

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


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

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