Food & Beverage
The food and beverage manufacturing sector is one of the largest in the UK with an annual turnover in excess of £100 billion, and as a rapidly evolving industry, our specialist legal team are here to help businesses navigate the ever-evolving challenges and regulations while exploring opportunities for growth, innovation and sustainability.
We work alongside our clients on all their property needs, including taking new leases, assigning leases following Partner retirements and appointments, granting underleases to complimentary occupiers, buying and selling property and financing premises.
Our team have advised a variety of businesses in the food and beverages sector in recent years. Our team have advised on multiple transactions involving pubs, cafes, restaurants, takeaways and other food and drink outlets, assisting clients with both sales and acquisitions, and the legal and regulatory requirements that can arise with such transactions. We have also provided clients with advice on data protection, in particular the handling of customer and supplier data, intellectual property for new brands and concepts, and with supplier contracts.
As with the hospitality sector as a whole, business' owners often face tight margins, and a tough economic backdrop, all whilst aiming to provide an excellent experience to their customers. We have the experience and understanding to assist your business to meet these challenges, and look to ensure that as you do with your customers, a great service is provided each and every time.
We act for clients in the food and beverage sector in all areas of employment law, including preparing bespoke employment contracts and policies tailored to the unique needs in this arena; managing staff; advising on employment disputes, termination and recruitment; acting in employment tribunal litigation and immigration assistance.
With our comprehensive understanding of the sector, we swiftly navigate complex workplace matters to ensure, where possible, a swift, practical resolution is reached. Our experience in the sector means our solicitors give relevant, specialist, practical and up to the minute advice on situations in your business as they develop.
We advise clients at all levels of the food and beverage supply chain. We have experience of advising farmers, producers, manufacturers, distributors, retailers, franchises and restaurants. Leathes Prior can help with:
- Commercial contractual disputes
- Product quality, safety and contamination disputes
- Supply chain and logistics disputes
- Manufacturing contract disputes
- Distribution agreement disputes
- Consumer complaints
- Commercial landlord and tenant disputes
- Exclusivity agreement disputes
- Licencing disputes
- Defamation
- Intellectual property disputes
Our Regulatory and Criminal Defence team provides advice and representation to businesses and individuals operating in the food & beverage sector, for example those facing HSE, Trading Standards, Police, GLAA, HMRC and Environment Agency investigations and prosecutions, or Coroner’s Investigations and Inquests in the event of fatalities.
Our Licensing team advises and represents businesses in respect of applications for, or challenges to, Premises Licences.
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What our clients say
I am extremely grateful to Nina Ryan and Leathes Prior Solicitors for their legal advice and guidance during the sale of my shareholding in a private company. Thanks to them the terms of the sale were successfully negotiated, the legal work efficiently executed and a timely completion achieved. I am very satisfied with the outcome.
Alex, Jack, and the team at Leathes Prior were extremely professional, efficient, and supportive throughout the whole sale process. They went the extra mile to ensure that the shareholders fully understood the process, legal implications, and the associated risks and worked tirelessly to ensure that the deal went through as smoothly as possible.
Just a quick email to say how pleased we have been with the quality of service that Alex Saunders and Jack Horwitz have provided in selling our business. They have at all times been efficient, professional, and courteous, providing us with a top class service.
I just wanted to write to say a massive thank you for all your support throughout this process. It’s never an easy process but I can definitely say that this deal was far easier than when I acquired the other business back in February this year. I really appreciated your succinct and commercial advice, taking a lot of decisions away from me and only focussing me on the bigger commercial and legal issues. It’s been a pleasure to work with you and once again Leathes Prior have been brilliant for me.
I wanted to drop you a line to say what a fantastic job Nina did on our recent business sale. She worked tirelessly throughout often working out of hours to complete on a deal that had its ups and downs along the way. This is the second deal Nina has worked on for us and interestingly on the first deal we did with her, the buyers were so impressed that they are using her on a deal of their own! A very nice lady who goes the extra mile to get the deals done!
I've been working with Leathes Prior for years. I highly rate their team for professionalism and attentiveness. Jack Horwitz is a superstar!
Since employing the services of Leathes Prior some 15 years ago to handle the MBO on mine and my colleagues behalf the service provided has been second to none. Whether it be advice regarding employment law, commercial & corporate matters on every occasion the professionalism has been exemplary as well as being very approachable and with a ‘never too much trouble’ attitude. I would without any hesitation whatsoever recommend Leathes Prior.
I found Richard and Nina to always strike that perfect balance of taking care of my position and being practical and commercial at the same time; advising me on which issues really were worth fighting for and which ones really did not matter. They were always timely and responsive, and their proposed weekly zoom call with the buyer and their solicitors, meant that issues that arose got quickly resolved. It was a complex transaction which completed spot on time with no last minute hitches or dramas.
Leathes Prior did an excellent job acting for us during the sale. Their attention to detail, availability to help and sense of humour held us in good stead to ensure the right outcome in the right timeframe. Thanks, in particular, go to Alex and Jack for all their hard work, it was appreciated.
Sam consistently goes out of his way to understand the unique needs of our company. His commitment to comprehending not only our business but also our legal requirements is truly exceptional. This personalised approach, combined with his vast knowledge of the legal landscape sets him apart as a legal professional of the highest caliber... I wholeheartedly recommend Sam Poulter of Leathes Prior for his exceptional legal service. He is an invaluable asset to any individual or company seeking legal counsel.
When that once in a lifetime opportunity knocks, its essential to get it right. We did our groundwork, and on recommendation, we chose Leathes Prior. They did the job, above and beyond. If we had to do it all again I’d chose them, and we would recommend them to anyone with a business to sell. Our team (Alex Saunders, Jack Horwitz and Milan Pandit) was the ‘A’ Team (‘A’ for advice, ability, accuracy, approach, and attitude). In my view, its essential to have the right people, have the full set of expertise on hand, and rely on their expertise to get you through the tough bits. Now we are all going to the races to celebrate!
I am delighted with the service provided by the team at Leathes Prior led by Alex. The legal advice was delivered at a practical level, helping me understand fully the process and implications at each step of the way. Really big thank you to Alex, Sam and the team in helping me through the acquisition process.
We have looked at different succession options for some time. The most important thing for Canham Consulting is that the culture and values we work so hard at, continue to develop. The only way we could be sure of this, was to transition to an Employee-Owned business, and form an EOT. The EOT process requires true collaboration, and transparency. It was essential for us, that we surrounded ourselves with practical, pragmatic, and truly understanding legal support. Alex Saunders and Jack Horwitz have guided us through the EOT process and been an integral part of the team. Their knowledge and collaborative approach have made the process enjoyable for everyone. I cannot praise or recommend Leathes Prior high enough. Thank you for your support.
We engaged Leathes Prior Solicitors to support in the acquisition of our business. I’m incredibly grateful to Jack and the team at Leathes Prior for guiding us through it with expertise and care. Jack had a deep understanding of the nuances involved in the sale of a service-based business, with complex client relationships, long-term contracts, and operational intricacies. The advice received was spot-on at every stage. What truly stood out was Jack’s unwavering support and calm demeanour, even under pressure. When a last-minute issue cropped up on Christmas Eve, Jack responded immediately with a level head, clear communication, and exactly the reassurance we needed at a critical moment. That kind of commitment is rare, and it made all the difference. If you’re looking for legal support for the sale of a business, I couldn’t recommend Jack and Leathes Prior highly enough. Exceptional from start to finish.
From start to finish Paul and Nina were in complete control of our affairs offering nothing short of perfection in communication to complete the acquisition of my company
I am not sure where we would be without the Corporate Team at Leathes Prior Solicitors! The team are firmly embedded within the company – supporting us at every stage – having a positive impact on the business in areas I never thought Corporate Lawyers could affect.
Thanks to Alex for stewarding this deal so professionally and speedily. We couldn’t have got there without him and LP!
Over the years that we have been working with Alex and the team at Leathes Prior, they have built up an in-depth understanding of how we do business and what is important to us as people. This was absolutely critical for us as we navigated through the process of being acquired and we truly felt they had our backs all the way. We developed great personal relationships with many of their team, which we hope will continue into the future. Thank you Alex and Team.
I found Jack to be very professional and very polite. All work was completed in time with no delays. Overall, I was impressed with the services provided by Leathes Prior Solicitors. Thank you.
After a lifetime running businesses, and building YTKO Group to 100+ people and £7m turnover, I thought carefully about various exit and succession options for some time. Establishing an Employee Ownership Trust was the best way to ensure that our values endured for the next 40 years and that our dedicated team would be able to reap the rewards of their hard work, commitment, loyalty, and passion. Choosing the right professional advisors to help us through the process was essential. Alex, Nina, and the Corporate team were outstanding, not just in terms of the legal due process, but in how they supported us - swift and practical replies, often out of hours, great availability by phone/teams, a super attitude, and a real team push to get us over the line when we encountered a last-minute obstacle. They really felt like an integral part of our senior team. I would absolutely recommend them without reservation.
Autumn Budget 2025: Agricultural Property Relief & Business Property Relief Changes
It was announced in the 2025 Budget that from 6 April 2026, changes will be made to agricultural property relief and business property relief. These changes bring APR and BPR in line with the nil-rate band rules, meaning unused allowances can be transferred to a surviving spouse or civil partner. This is a significant step towards making estate planning easier for families who own farms or businesses.
The Employment Rights Act 2025 is expected to come into force tomorrow (18 December 2025)
After an extended period of back-and-forth amendments between Parliament and the House of Lords, on 16 December 2025, the ERB finally received approval from the House of Lords, with the formality of Royal Assent due to take place tomorrow (18 December 2025). Head of LP Employment, Dan Chapman, explains...
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Charity of the Month: The Matthew Project
Leathes Prior is delighted to be supporting The Matthew Project as our Charity of the Month for December 2025. The Matthew Project supports young people and adults across Norfolk, Suffolk, and Essex to overcome issues around drugs, alcohol, and mental health, empowering them to rebuild confidence and lead fulfilling lives.
Leathes Prior’s Milan Pandit appointed President of the Norfolk & Norwich Law Society
Leathes Prior Solicitors is proud to announce that Milan Pandit, Solicitor in our Corporate & Commercial Team, has been appointed President of the Norfolk & Norwich Law Society (NNLS) for 2025/26.
Commercial Lease Renewals: A guide for Landlords & Tenants
Commercial lease renewals are a topic that every commercial landlord and business that rents commercial premises should have at the forefront of their minds. It is essential for good succession planning, though it is often neglected until the expiry of an existing lease term is looming or once the existing term has come to an end and the tenant is holding over. In this article, our newly qualified solicitor, Maggie Berry explores the process that landlords and tenants can expect when navigating this complex area of law.
Our Guidance, Your Legacy: What is a Will, and why should I make one?
Not only is a Will one of the most important steps you can take to protect your loved ones and ensure your wishes are respected, but it also limits the likelihood of a claim/dispute following your death. To ensure your loved ones and the causes you care about benefit from your estate, a Will is essential to ensuring this happens. Find out more in this article.
Lease extensions: The essentials to getting started
Extending your lease can seem complex, but taking the right steps early can make the process much smoother. Jake Mowatt, Associate and Harry Smith, Trainee Solicitor in our Residential Property Team outlines the key essentials every leaseholder should understand prior to extending their lease.
Upcoming changes to bringing employment law claims: What these mean for you
The highly anticipated Employment Rights Bill (ERB) is set to increase the time limits in which employees can bring an employment tribunal claim. Gareth Stevens & Rose Woolterton explain what this means for employers & employees.
Service Charges in Residential Leases: FAQs
Service charges are forever a hot topic in the world of property disputes, and it remains one of the most contentious areas between freeholders and leaseholders, particularly in long residential leases. Danny Turpin, Associate, discusses frequently asked questions regarding service charges on long residential leases.
Leathes Prior winners in nine categories in the prestigious Legal 500 Future Laywer Survey
We are thrilled to announce that the firm has placed once again in the Legal 500 Future Lawyer survey as No.1 in the UK for our Social Life; a ranking we have held in the survey for seven years out of the past nine years.
Jess’s Rule – New Guidelines for GPs
A new initiative is being rolled out across GP practices across England in the hope of preventing serious illnesses being missed by GPs where patients present with the same, or deteriorating, symptoms on multiple occasions. Kimberley Nelson in our Personal Injury & Clinical Negligence Team discusses new guidelines for GPs.
Leathes Prior are excited to announce that four Trainee Solicitors qualify at the firm
Leathes Prior is excited to announce that four of our amazing trainees, Eleanor Chapman, Maggie Berry, Alex Robinson, and Georgia Sartin, have successfully completed their training contracts and are now qualifying as Solicitors at the firm.
