Occupiers never stand still—they adapt to ever-changing commercial conditions, legislation and emerging trends. They understand the power of bricks and mortar, but also the need to adapt their offering to meet new expectations. Passionate about their space and purpose, they’re represented by a team at Shoosmiths that shares their drive, agility and ambition. For over two decades, Shoosmiths’ Corporate Occupier team has helped some of the UK’s most recognisable brands preserve, build, adapt and reshape their property portfolios in step with evolving business strategies. By responding to shifting market demands and anticipating future needs, Shoosmiths delivers legal solutions that help future-proof their clients and unlock commercial advantages and support their strategic aspirations.

Shoosmiths supports clients across a wide range of sectors—each with its own pressures, priorities and pace of change. We work with:

• education institutions to plan, develop and manage estates that support learning and the modern education environment

• energy & infrastructure providers to secure land, develop assets and align estates with ESG goals

• food & beverage businesses to secure, expand or streamline operational and distribution sites

• hotels, hospitality & leisure operators to acquire, refurbish, dispose and lease sites that enhance consumer experience and a brand offering

• office occupiers to reimagine their space to reflect hybrid working, brand identity and sustainability

• logistics firms to develop warehouses, structure leases and expand/retract portfolios at pace

• mobility innovators to deliver EV infrastructure, transport hubs and future-ready assets

• manufacturers to secure adapt and dispose industrial space to meet evolving production needs

• retailers with acquisition programmes, disposal programmes, and estate optimisation to meet consumer demand and drive brand experience

• tech companies to develop data centres, deliver exit strategies, scale flexible workspaces and future-proof portfolios

Recent experience

• advising Boots on all matters connected with the management of their English, Welsh and Scottish real estate portfolio, advising on a mixture of new lease acquisitions, lease renewals and regears

• providing portfolio and acquisition support to Poundland for 18 years, including the acquisition programme of 71 “Wilko’s” stores, taking assignments of leases, agreeing variations and negotiating new leases

• acting for Central Co-Op on the acquisition and immediate sub-sale of part of a site in Ely, Cambridgeshire for the development of a local centre to include retail, retirement living and children’s nursery facilities

• appointed to Whitbread’s legal panel, which covers the Premier Inn brand, supporting on a broad range of real estate matters including large portfolio disposals

• acted for Liberty Global (holding company of Virgin Media O2) on the letting of its newly refurbished headquarters in central London

• acting for Frasers Group, delivering cross-disciplinary support for its flagship stores, retail parks, centres and high street, in relation to various brands