A core team of 30, working with the 145-lawyer Real Estate group provides clients in the retail and leisure real estate industries with a sector-focused service.

Its lawyers offer advice across the retail spectrum from substantial out-of-town sites, through to high street and shopping centre units, pub companies and hotel operators. Working closely with specialists across the firm, the team provides clients with full-service expertise and experience.

Led by partner Christopher Hunt the team has a deep understanding of the retail and leisure sectors and the pressures they face. Its experts write articles for Retail Week and hold a six-monthly forum attended by chairmen and the chief executives of a number of household-name retailers. Regular dinners are held for senior people in the leisure industry, attended by leisure-orientated bankers, surveyors, insurers and people working in pub companies, hotels and other leisure businesses.

Modern retail and leisure operators often have a global presence. The team acts for a number of international household-name brands on their real estate requirements in the UK. It is also advising on property acquisitions for one of the world's largest coffee shop operators and a global sporting brand. One amongst many highlights was acting for a well-known US leisure brand on the acquisition of its first retail store on Oxford Street in London.

Clients include Adams Childrenswear, Allied Carpets, Bank Fashion, B&Q, Claire's Accessories, Enterprise Inns, Fat Face, House of Fraser, Marks & Spencer, Marston's PLC, McDonald's Restaurants, Vodafone Retail and Young & Co's Brewery P.L.C.

For more information on retail & leisure, contact Christopher Hunt (christopher_hunt@wragge.com).