Lara Watts
Harrison Drury & Co
Harrison Drury & Co
Client SatisfactionThe team at Harrison Drury & Co is described as being ‘extremely welcoming and professional’ by clients. Practice head Simon England works out of the Clitheroe office. Agriculture, retail and renewables are key areas of focus for the team, which is well-equipped to advise on multi-million pound developments, sales, leases, acquisitions and disposals. The ’thorough and patient’ Wendy Newbury and Lara Watts are based in Clitheroe, while in Kendal, Naomi Fell and Lucy Benton who arrived from Temple Heelis in May 2024 are key names. Hannah Hughes is particularly experienced in handling agricultural matters.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Wendy Newbury has dealt with a couple of leases for my company. She is very thorough and patient.'
‘Excellent communication and proactiveness. They have breadth of knowledge and are resourced to handle matters promptly which is severely lacking generally within the North West market from our experience. They have produced excellent results.’
‘Simon England and Hannah Hughes are both efficient, knowledgeable and communicative.’
‘We find the team very approachable and eager to provide a comprehensive service.’
‘The members of the team are always very professional but explain complicated legal matters in lay terms wherever possible. We have dealt with Simon England, Lara Watts and Jackie Bate and all have provided an excellent level of advice.’
‘Harrison Drury & Co are extremely welcoming and professional. As soon as you walk through the door, you are treated with kindness and respect. I always found procedures to be efficient, accurate and timely.’
‘I worked closely with Wendy Newbury and Jane Fillis and both were professional, patient and respectful towards me. They communicated efficiently and both delivered exemplary attention-to-detail. What really stood out to me was the level of respect towards me, they were non-judgmental and intuited when certain things were difficult for me and I needed time to reach decisions.’
‘Danielle Leeming I would have no hesitation in working with again.'
Key clients
- PJM Investments
- MM Acquisitions
- Mullet Conversion Limited
- Downham Estate
- Kendal College
- Four Oaks Property Investments Ltd
- FDC Holdings Ltd
- Spartan Property Investment Ltd
- Building for Humanity
- Black Velvet Investments
- Eric Wright Group Ltd
- Applethwaite
- Hodder Developments
Work highlights
- Advised PJM Property Investments Limited and MM Acquisitions Limited on a range of multi-million pound commercial property transactions including acquisitions, disposals, leases and property portfolio management.
- Advised Kendal College on a highly complex and long-running matter with a value of £1.92m relating to the short-term lease of part of the Westmorland Shopping Centre, Kendal and the long leasehold purchase of part of the ground floor, first floor and second floor of Westmorland Shopping Centre.
- Completed a multi-million pound purchase for longstanding client FDC Holdings which involved an estate comprised of 262,000 square ft of industrial space and 3.8 acres of open storage.
Lawyers
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Lucy Benton
Harrison Drury & CoLeading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Simon England
Harrison Drury & CoNext Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Hannah Hughes
Harrison Drury & CoPractice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Simon England