Freshfields, SJ Berwin act on B&Q sell-off

SJ Berwin and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer have advised on the £198m sale-and-leaseback of seven B&Q stores to British Land Company. The sale represents approximately 700,000sq ft of real estate. SJ Berwin advised the buyer, led by real estate partners Michael Scott and Helen Willet and corporate partner Michael Goldberg. Kingfisher, was advised by Freshfields London head of real estate Mark Wheelhouse and corporate partner Elaine Williams. SJ Berwin has a longstanding relationship with British Land and has previously advised the company on its £130m purchase of the units in the Ropemaker Place Property Unit Trust, as well as on its £300m sale of the residential property investment portfolio to Insight Investment.