Birketts’ Chelmsford Commercial Real Estate Team recently advised longstanding client Brentwood Borough Council in the disposal of Childerditch Industrial Estate (subject to and with the benefit of approximately 40 occupational leases).
The Council is one of many local authorities that Birketts act for, having one of the largest public sector teams in the country comprising 250 lawyers experienced in public sector transactions.
The disposal followed the surrender of the rent sharing lease between the Council and Seven Arches Investment Limited (SAIL), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Council, before Christmas. The transaction exchanged in January 2025, with completion occurring just two working days later, despite the challenging timeframe, including the Christmas period.
The team successfully managed ongoing subsidence and insurance claims and spent considerable time liaising with managing agents regarding rent apportionments, service charge reconciliations, and the assignment of rent deposit monies.
Johanna Cope (Legal Director, Commercial Real Estate) led a multidisciplinary team, including Ben Hersom (Associate, Commercial Real Estate), Joey U (Solicitor, Commercial Real Estate), Rachel Fisher (Solicitor, Commercial Real Estate), Kate Etheridge (Trainee Solicitor, Commercial Real Estate), Nicholas West (Senior Associate, Employment), Naomi Sunkin (Senior Associate, Planning & Environment), Karl Pocock (Partner, Corporate Tax), Ben Clarke (Associate, Corporate Tax), Claire Jones (Legal Director, Public Sector) and Isabel Wightman-Cooper (Senior Associate, Public Sector).
A spokesperson for the Council commented: “We are pleased to have completed on the disposal of Childerditch, and we owe a big thank you to Johanna and the team for their work to successfully complete the deal within such a tight timeframe, it is a testament to the dedication and expertise of Birketts.”
Johanna added: “We are delighted to have assisted Brentwood Borough Council in this significant transaction. Having previously acted for the Council when they acquired the estate in 2022 and having since been involved in its lettings, I am pleased to have led on this next chapter and the disposal of the estate.”
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