Member Article

WBD's real estate team advises Bristol Charities on acquisition

Law firm Womble Bond Dickinson (WBD) has advised longstanding client and one of Bristol’s oldest charities, Bristol Charities, on its acquisition of the Vassall Centre in Fishponds, Bristol, which currently offers affordable, accessible workspace and conference facilities for charities and not-for-profit organisations.

Bristol Charities provides opportunities and support for people and communities to improve lives through grants, housing and charitable projects in Bristol and South Wales. Its ambition for the Vassall Centre will be to build a new contemporary almshouse offering high quality affordable homes for older people whilst retaining accessible, affordable rented office space for charities and local organisations.

The WBD team advising Bristol Charities on the acquisition was led by partner Simon Hughes, managing associate Gareth Miles and Chartered Legal Executive Katie Melly. The firm provided key real estate expertise.

Simon comments: “At WBD we’re committed to supporting our local communities, both through our own initiatives and through the work we do for our clients. We’re pleased to have advised Bristol Charities on this exciting acquisition of the Vassall Centre which, thanks to the charity’s plans, will continue to play a key part for the community in Fishponds and the wider Bristol area.

“WBD has been based in Bristol since 1998 and so our understanding of the local market, coupled with our real estate expertise, meant we were able to secure the best possible outcome for all parties.”

Anne Anketell, chief executive officer at Bristol Charities says: “We are really excited by the opportunity the Vassall Centre presents to provide much-needed, affordable and high-quality homes for older people in Fishponds, along with contemporary, accessible office space for charities and not-for-profit organisations. Plans are at a very early stage and we look forward to working closely with current tenants and the neighbouring community to help inform ideas and designs.

“We’re very grateful to Simon and the whole WBD team for their expert legal advice, being able to rely on a local team of South West lawyers with the right regional know-how has been key for us.”

Ranking in the UK’s top 20 law firms, WBD advises clients from seven cities in the UK and 19 offices in the US. Bristol is the firm’s second largest UK office with a client portfolio that includes Bristol City Council, Bristol Charities, OVO Energy, Bristol Airport and international company Spandex, with its UK headquarters at Aztec West, North Somerset District Council and South Gloucestershire Council.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Womble Bond Dickinson LLP .