FARLEYS Solicitors’ commercial department has had a busy 2007, advising on a number of management buy-outs, buy-ins and acquisitions.

The firm has advised on three deals for leading video game developer Travellers Tales. In January, company law partner, Debbie King provided legal advice to Travellers Tales’ management team as it acquired Embryonic Studios.

This was followed by the acquisition of the assets of Centroid Motion Capture and the formation of TT Centroid Limited in May, which was again led by Debbie King. In August, commercial law partner, Ian Liddle helped TT Centroid Limited to secure a lease at the prestigious Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire, where a number of high profile British films have been produced.

One of the North West’s busiest garage forecourts has also been sold for an undisclosed sum as part of a complex share sale deal overseen by Debbie King. D Kitchen Limited on Trafalgar Street was sold by Steven and Christopher Blackadder to The Kay Group, which operates a number of forecourts throughout East Lancashire and West Yorkshire. Commercial Property Partner, Chris Porter, advised on the property aspects of the deal.

Ian Liddle advised the management team of Oswaldtwistle Mills, including Peter Hargreaves, on the purchase of part of Moscow Mill which is on the Oswaldtwistle Mill site. This will allow the company to continue its significant expansion of the retail outlet which is fast becoming one of Lancashire’s most popular tourist attractions.

Other significant deals to have completed in the first half of the year include the re-mortgaging of the Rendezvous Hotel in Skipton on behalf of Strongvalue Limited, the purchase of Holme Works in Rossendale for Brother Investments Limited, the lease of two units in Middleton for Technical Textile Services Limited all of which were dealt with by Ian Liddle, and the management buy-out of ironmongers Timothy Wood Limited in Huddersfield dealt with by Debbie King. The aggregate consideration of these deals alone amounts to many millions of pounds.

Debbie King has also been busy advising two children’s nursery owners on the acquisition of new businesses.

She advised Janet and Alan Skinner from Feniscowles on the formation of Les Enfants (Holdings) Limited and the purchase of Les Enfants nursery on Avondale Road in Darwen (see picture). The nursery currently cares for 70 children from birth to pre-school age, and employs 14 fully qualified childcare professionals and a chef, housekeeper and gardener.

Glossop businesswoman Nicola Fussell, and her husband, Dominic, a director of the Hurstwood Group, were also advised by Debbie on the acquisition of their fourth nursery, Hadfield House in Glossop.

Commenting on the successful deal completions, Ian Liddle said: “These deals highlight Farleys’ commercial team’s ability to successfully complete transactions in a range of business sectors.

It has been a busy year for corporate finance professionals, with a number of deals completing and we are delighted to have played an active part in so many deals across the North West, which have helped to secure a number of jobs for the region.”

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