Wragges sets its sights on Dollond-Boots Opticians tie

Wragge & Co has advised the Italian parent company of UK optician chain ­Dollond & Aitchison on the brand’s merger with Boots Opticians.

The firm won the instruction on the back of a longstanding relationship its pensions team has with Birmingham-based Dollond & Aitchison, which is owned by De Rigo.

Wragges corporate partner Jeremy Millington led the team acting on the deal with help from the firm’s pensions, employment, property, IP and competition practices. De Rigo also received advice from Italian firm Chiomenti.

Boots Opticians was advised by Alliance Boots health and beauty general counsel David Foster. Browne Jacobson partner Caroline Green provided support on property matters while Allen & Overy advised on tax and antitrust issues.

The joint venture bet­ween the two opticians, which will have 690 branches employing 5,000 people, will be owned jointly by Alliance Boots and De Rigo.

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