Advice for Business

If you don’t own your business premises your lease arrangements will be vital to the success of your business. We provide first rate professional advice over the rights and obligations of both Landlord and Tenant and can advise you at the start of a lease, when you come to the end of your lease, when you want to negotiate an extension to your lease or you want to leave early.

Please refer to our property services page for further information on Commercial Leasing.

For businesses which require a licence to carry on their trading activities, the Scottish licensing system can be complicated and frustrating. The application process is bureaucratic and lengthy, while incorrect or late applications may result in refusals, restrictions, or even cessation of trading.

The services we provide include:

• Application for Premises License
• Completion of Operating Plan
• Organisation of Layout Plans
• Applications for Consent for Outside Seating
• Application of Occasional Licenses
• Applications for Personal Licenses
• Applications for Change of Premises Manager
• Applications to vary Premises License

Paris Steele W.S. has many years experience in acting for licensees and we will be glad to advise and assist you.

If you are thinking of setting up in business, you should consult your solicitor as soon as possible. You may need advice whether to trade as an individual, as a partnership or as a limited company. If you decide to trade as a partnership, it is important that you have a properly drawn up Partnership Agreement. If you are providing finance for the partnership, you will need advice as to how to protect your investment. If you are borrowing funds from a bank or a third party investor you will need advice on the loan documentation. Where there are to be employees, Contracts of Employment will be required. You will also have to consider what types of insurance you will require, and what sort of financial records you should keep. Premises may have to be leased or purchased.

If you plan to purchase an existing business it is important to examine all of the business records thoroughly. This process is often referred to as due diligence. Our solicitors will be glad to advise you on what enquiries should be made. The business is likely to have business premises and we will also be glad to assist with the purchase of this property or the assignation of the existing lease.

Please refer to our property services page to get more information on the purchase of commercial property.

If you plan to sell your own business we will be happy to help. Prospective purchasers will want to examine both the business accounts and your business records. Our solicitors will be able to provide detailed advice on the issues which you will face. Where you have a business property to sell we offer a comprehensive estate agency service. We can also assist with the surrender, termination or assignation of any existing lease.

Please refer to our property services page to get more information on the sale of commercial property.

If you own your business premises or want to do so our Property Team will ensure that we find the right property for you. Equally, if you want to sell your current property we will be happy to arrange a comprehensive marketing campaign and will maximise your sale price.

Location, location, location – if only it was that simple. Our Property Team will be happy to provide detailed advice on any aspect of property development.

Please refer to our property services page for further information on the range of services that we can provide.