Scottish Government publishes indicative rates for the Scottish Building Safety Levy
Scottish Government publishes indicative rates for the Scottish Building Safety Levy, helping developers prepare ahead of its launch in April 2028. The Building Safety Levy (Scotland) Act 2026 was passed...
Turnover rent leases: key considerations before heads of terms are agreed
Turnover rent leases can offer welcome flexibility in a challenging retail market, but they also create real scope for dispute if the parties do not agree at the outset what...
Electric vehicle charge point leases: 8 practical steps for commercial property owners and developers
The rapid growth of electric vehicles (EVs) is reshaping the UK commercial property market. Demand for charging points is increasing across retail parks, supermarkets, hotels, business parks and mixed-use developments....
Getting value for your farmland: Clawback and overage
If you own land and are thinking about selling to a house builder or another kind of developer, the terms clawback and overage will probably be raised. The idea behind...
Leading law firm continues winning streak on sports and leisure deals
Anderson Strathern’s commercial property team has played a key role in Northwind Leisure Golf’s appointment as operating partner for the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews’ (R&A) community-based...
How the proposed ban on upwards only rent reviews could impact commercial leases in Scotland
The UK Government has proposed including a ban in the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (the “Bill”) on upwards only rent reviews for new commercial leases in England and...
Land and Buildings Transaction Tax: Key Considerations for Commercial Tenants
Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (“LBTT”) is a tax affecting property transactions, which will generally apply to commercial tenants at the commencement of a lease. Tenants should also be aware...
Navigating the storm – Scotland’s licensed trade sector under pressure amidst ongoing challenges.
Scotland’s licensed trade sector faces a multitude of challenges, with the recent UK budget adding to the complexity. As the sector grapples with changing consumer behaviours, regulatory pressures, and economic...
I get knocked down, but I get up again – insolvency in the retail sector
Company insolvencies continue to rise with the Insolvency Service having revealed that 2023 saw the highest number registered since 1993. Last year saw a record number of retail businesses failing...
Recent judgement on service charges – What does this mean for tenants?
Retailers will be all too familiar with the term “service charge” and tenants will be accustomed to service charge clauses in leases. The important question is, do you fully understand...
The lockdown trends that didn’t last – insolvency in the retail sector
In August 2023 there were 112 company insolvencies registered in Scotland, six percent higher than the number in August 2022 and 44% higher than the pre-Covid figures of August 2019....
Wake-up call: Can I open a restaurant in Scotland?
Thinking of expanding your business by opening a restaurant in Scotland? Consider the legal requirements before taking the plunge. Scotland has a separate legal system so it’s important to understand...
Option for Lease Agreements – our top tips for landowners
What is an Option for Lease and why does it matter? An Option for Lease is a binding legal contract between two parties, the developer and the landowner. This contract,...
What does the New Homes Quality Code mean for developers?
A friend recently bought a new-build house. It was only after the first heavy rain that she realised that something was not right. An architect acquaintance confirmed to her...
Doing business better: the value of a robust ESG strategy
Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance, or ESG, is not a new concept, but the increasingly central role it is playing in the decision making of policymakers and business leaders is...
The diversification of drive-throughs within the UK
Although drive-throughs have been around in the UK for some time now, we have seen a notable expansion in terms of the companies operating these in recent years. McDonalds were...
Sustainability key to retail sector’s relevancy
Retail is undergoing an unprecedented transition. The internet led to new sales channels, globalisation opened up new markets, covid shook the retail industry to its core as stores around the...
Staff shortages in the hospitality & retail sector – What help is there under the UK immigration rules?
For many sectors of the UK economy, recent weeks have been like the “spinning newspaper” effect seen in old movies, with one industry announcement after another: critical staff shortages, rising...
Buy less, buy better – global business building in the age of sustainability
In a world of fast fashion, how important is a brand’s culture and sustainable business practices? We spoke to Guy and Leeanne Hundleby, founders of the luxury leather goods brand...
There is a new, higher standard for homebuilding in the UK
The New Homes Quality Code (“New Code”) was published on 17 December 2021 and replaces the current Consumer Code for Home Builders. The New Code is designed to “fill...
Consumer behaviour – key retail and restaurant sector trends for 2022
The pandemic forced the retail industry to quickly adapt with more high street businesses opening online, click and collect orders continuing to gain popularity and expand. Consumers became completely connected...
Scotland 2045 – how the NPF4 vision will affect the retail sector
On 10 November 2021, the Scottish Government published the long-awaited consultation draft of its Fourth National Planning Framework (“NPF4”). The ministerial foreword makes it clear that the overall approach is...
Assignation – how much leeway does a landlord have?
A recent Court of Session decision has considered the circumstances in which it will be reasonable for a landlord to refuse consent to an assignation of a lease. The facts...
A trend with the potential to revolutionise UK’s high streets
The covid-19 pandemic, the rise of online shopping and changing consumer habits have forced many retailers to reorganise their portfolio, with several opting to reduce their physical footprint on the...
NoLo – the tee total trend
Over the festive period, those looking for a non-alcoholic drink in pubs and restaurants may have noticed an increase in their options. The low and non-alcoholic drinks market (‘NoLo’) is...
NPF4 – Scotland’s rural vision
On 10 November 2021, the Scottish Government published the long-awaited consultation draft of its Fourth National Planning Framework (“NPF4”). The ministerial forward makes it clear that the overall approach...
Scotland 2045 – the NPF4 vision
On 10 November 2021, the Scottish Government published the long-awaited consultation draft of its Fourth National Planning Framework (“NPF4”). The ministerial forward makes it clear that the overall approach is...
Rural tax – know your property!
You might think the difference between a residential and a non-residential property would be obvious. By its nature, the farmhouse is different from the field and the cottage different from...
Property services pop up clinic
The Coronavirus pandemic has changed the property requirements of many, both personally and in business. Now that we can meet in person again, we have arranged a free pop up...
In the dark over the future of high street restaurants
Food delivery has been reshaping the restaurant industry since the late 2000s. As more people order food online correspondingly there has been a huge increase in delivery apps. Depending on...