In 2005 Tesco needed to find new sites in the Northern Home Counties for their Express format stores, and they approached Brasier Harris, now Brasier Freeth LLP to help them.

The brief was to consider many property types; there were many locations that would suit the brand, from existing shop premises within secondary parades and local centres to development sites for stand alone stores occupying main roadside positions.

It became immediately clear that the most success would be derived from sourcing off market opportunities, by leveraging
Brasier Freeth landlord and developer contacts and also sourcing suitable new opportunities and land owners.

Finding sufficient space in prime locations involved careful negotiation with landlords, both local and institutional, local
authorities and tenants to gain vacant possession.

The team had to give careful consideration to the practical aspects of the new units when assessing the sites, for example plant locations and store opening hours. All of these factors were considered by Brasier Freeth to ensure that only relevant
opportunities were presented to the client.