30th October 2008 – immediate release
  Sintons delivers fast on leisure deal in Sunderland

Two innovative operators in the North East's leisure sector have completed a deal in rapid time to buy the lease on Blu Bambu Bar & Night Club in Sunderland , previously owned and operated by PBR Ltd – formerly Ultimate Leisure.

Andy Sutton, aged 32 and his business partner Jo Gullis who jointly own and run Nightime Entertainment Ltd, saw this as an opportunity to bring their operational expertise and local knowledge to this established venue. The entrepreneurial pair also operate Corporate Hospitality Solutions and Jester Records.

Andy Sutton, who has been in the leisure sector for over 15 years said: ‘Blu Bambu is in a prominent site in Sunderland and we are convinced our style of events and marketing can make this venue a big success even in these tighter times. When we heard it might be up for sale, we knew we needed to move quickly. The leisure sector has changed hugely and is so much more regulated now – it's not so easy. However, with the right approach, and if you know your local area and clientele, we are convinced there are still excellent opportunities available. Our pre-Christmas events include Peter Andre on 22 nd November, who we are delighted to have secured. Our next ventures include launching an internet radio station which will appeal to our core 18-23 age group.'

Commercial property lawyer, Alok Loomba from Sintons LLP handled the legal side of the deal. Andy Sutton said: ‘This was the first time we had used Sintons, after being recommended to them. Alok was an exceptional lawyer able to find ways through difficulties, and hence complete the deal effectively and quickly. We liked his decisive and practical approach which is particularly important for our business.'

Alok commented: ‘This was our first deal for Nightime Entertainment and we were delighted to have been recommended to them specifically for our expertise in the leisure sector. We have the pre-eminent licensing team in the North East with partner Sarah Smith successfully securing their new licence. Our employment team, led by Keith Land gave advice and commercial issues were led by Amanda Maskery.'

The sale of the lease of Blu Bambu located on Albion Place in Sunderland is a further step in PBR's plan to reduce its debts and restore its profitability.

About Sintons LLP, Solicitors

Sintons is one of the North East's leading providers of legal services through our three main practice groups - Commercial, Private Client and Personal Injury. Through our shared values of knowledge, integrity and pragmatism, our people consistently deliver results of real quality and enduring commercial benefit.

In the leisure sector, Sintons acts for single and multi-site leisure operators in the North East and nationally providing advice on licensing, gaming and betting issues, commercial property, company & commercial work and employment.

www.sintons.co.uk

About Nightime Entertainment Ltd

Nightime Entertainment has been set up as a company designed to take over venues that are struggling in this current climate. With over 60 years' experience of leisure in the directorship team, there are many tricks we can pull out the bag. Now venturing in property, leisure facilities, radio and media, with plans to expand across the UK , the next two years are going to be an exciting time for this forward thinking company.

Keith Land

As part of the continued growth of Sintons LLP’s Commercial Group, Keith Land, a highly respected employment lawyer from Top 50 firm Cobbetts in Manchester, has joined the employment team as a Partner.

Keith has over 13 years’ experience as an employment law specialist, having studied law at Sheffield University and the College of Law in York. Keith’s expertise includes advising clients about the implications of employment law on their strategic decisions such as re-organisations, relocations, managing the impact of TUPE (transfer of undertakings) when all or part of a business is being sold, transferred or outsourced.
He also advises on dismissals of senior executives and day-to-day employment issues for HR professionals.

Keith has worked with clients operating in both the manufacturing and service sectors, including those facing difficulties or undergoing major change. Recently, Keith advised on:
• all UK employment aspects of the closure of a major client’s UK production facilities, together with the simultaneous transfer of production to the Far East and South America;
• the merger of rival home shopping organisations and the relocation of the head office from Manchester to Liverpool;
• the negotiated exits packages for numerous senior managers following the merger of two household tour operators.
Keith’s approach has been described as practical, straightforward and very commercial.

Keith commented: “I specialise in working with management teams on human capital issues designed to change the fortunes of companies and organisations. Getting this right can have a major positive impact on an organisation’s ability to deliver change. The key is early involvement and thorough planning.”

Chris Welch, a Partner in Sintons’ Commercial Group added: “We are delighted to welcome Keith to the firm. He brings with him a wealth of legal and practical experience to add to the growing reputation which Sintons enjoys in this important area of law.”

Work History:
Joined Sintons LLP as Partner September 2008.
Cobbetts, Manchester 2004-08.
Hammonds, Manchester 2002-04.
Anderson Legal (Garretts) 1998-02
Lee & Priestley - Trainee
Admitted 1998 LLB

ENDS

About Sintons LLP, Solicitors
Sintons is a leading provider of legal services through our three main practice groups - Commercial, Private Client and Personal Injury. Through our shared values of knowledge, integrity and pragmatism, our people deliver results of real quality and enduring commercial benefit.

Sintons is a member of International Jurists, a network of mid-sized commercial law firms across 25 countries including Europe, the Far East and North & South America.

  11th September 2008 – immediate release
  Sintons’ star continues to rise

2008 has been one of Sintons LLP’s strongest years ever. Described in The Lawyer, as “a rising star in the North East”, there has been much positive news coming from this firm. In terms of hard numbers, turnover reached £8.2 million, a 23% increase on the previous year. The firm now employs 160 people with 75 lawyers.

Sintons’ further gains in the Legal 500 rankings this year with three rises and three new entries, reflects the views of clients and the wider market that this is a firm with a lot to offer.

Sintons has always quietly had a reputation for delivering the highest quality legal work, with a clear focus on value for money and a very personal touch – an enviable combination, particularly in tighter economic times. The feat Sintons has achieved this year is to combine these fundamentals with a step change in the size and complexity of the deals and transactions it has handled. In the first half of 2008, Sintons’ Commercial Group acted in the sale of both The Portland Group (NE) Ltd’s care homes portfolio to Southern Cross Healthcare Group plc and the sale of Heighley Gate Garden Centre Ltd to Wyevale Group plc both for substantial sums. This was followed by further acquisitions in the region for Sheffield-based TAL Logistics Group Ltd and the takeover of the long-established NODA Taxis by MetroCity.

Sintons also advised on two prominent major private equity investments in the region - Durham-based Pagebet Group’s investment from Advantage Capital and Graphite Resources Ltd’s (chaired by Lord Baker) c£50 million investment to build the world’s largest steam autoclave plant in Gateshead.

The Commercial Property Department’s fee income grew by over 40% through a combination of work for national clients, major banks and local property developers. Sintons acted for The Church Commissioners on the sale of its headquarters in Millbank to the House of Lords for £65 million. Environmental schemes for windfarms, open cast mining and waste projects continue to be significant growth areas as well as work in the health and medical sectors.

The firm has always maintained a very strong Private Client department, even when other firms have chosen to withdraw or run down their offering in this area. The Sintons team is acknowledged as having some of the best wealth management and matrimonial lawyers in the region, handling several multi-million pound trusts and charitable organisations. Sintons has always advised a large number of professionals in the region including doctors, dentists, accountants and other solicitors – many of whom now also turn to the firm for help with their commercial, as well as private, work.

For over six decades, Sintons has worked closely with leading UK insurance companies in the field of personal injury. Many of the lawyers in the department command national reputations in their specialisms and the firm’s caseload continues to include defendant and claimant work, industrial disease and catastrophic injury. Sintons continues to be selected by insurers to pilot new ways of working, reflecting the expertise that exists in this area.

Whilst many law firms have shed staff over recent months, Sintons continues to grow. First half results for 2008 show revenue up by 11%. New partner, Keith Land joined from a leading Manchester firm in September 2008 and the firm has continued to hire at all levels. Jim Dias, Chairman, comments: “Sintons has followed a consistent strategy of having a number of distinct specialisms which again is proving an astute approach for both clients and staff when times get tougher. We have always managed our own business carefully and responsibly. We are proud of how much we have achieved this year and the fact that we remain firmly on our growth path despite tougher times. We think that says a lot about our fundamental approach and remain positive and cautiously optimistic.”

ENDS

About Sintons LLP, Solicitors
Sintons is a leading provider of legal services through our three main practice groups - Commercial, Private Client and Personal Injury. Through our shared values of knowledge, integrity and pragmatism, our people deliver results of real quality and enduring commercial benefit.

Sintons was one of the first law firms to achieve Investor in People (IIP) status in 1998 and this accolade has been renewed ever since. Staff turnover remains extremely low, reflecting the value the firm places on looking after its people.

Sintons became a member of International Jurists in 2008, a network of mid-sized commercial law firms across 25 countries including Europe, the Far East and North & South America.