Hammonds hires former Halliwells partner for hotels practice launch

Eddlestone, who was head of Halliwells’ leisure services group, joins Hammonds as a consultant and will lead the hotels and leisure practice from Manchester. While the firm already had lawyers practising in the leisure services sector, this is the first time the firm has appointed a practice head.

Eddlestone, whose clients include Macdonald Hotels, Natural Retreats and City Block, is a former director and shareholder of Hutchison Leisure Group, Apollo Leisure and Brook Hotels, and founder of the Annual Hotels Conference.

Hammonds’ Manchester chief Jane Haxby said: “We already  advise a range of clients in this  sector, including Jurys Doyle Hotel Group,  Live Nation, Enterprise  Inns and Marriott. With Chris’s arrival, we’re now in  an excellent  position to build on our expertise, and will be on the lookout to attract similar talent to the firm. 
 
Eddlestone’s hire comes shortly after the arrival of Manchester real estate partner Mark Gaffney and senior associate David Spinks, who both joined from Halliwells’ Liverpool office.