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Articles by Nicola Broadhurst
Stevens & Bolton has advised SUR Coffee Group Ltd on the expansion of its Black Sheep Coffee franchise portfolio in Scotland
Stevens & Bolton has advised SUR Coffee Group Ltd on its acquisition of development rights from Black Sheep Coffee, the innovative brand serving the first specialty grade Robusta beans on the market, to open up a further eleven Black Sheep Coffee shops in Scotland. SUR Coffee Group already operates three Black Sheep Coffee shops in Scotland with a fourth on its way. This acquisition builds upon its current success and offers significant scale up growth for the brand in west Scotland.
Addressing greenwashing in the airline industry: The impact of the "green claims" directive
On 30 April 2024, the European Commission and EU consumer authorities took action by writing to 20 airlines, expressing concerns about their potential greenwashing practices. This move has come just one month after the European Parliament adopted its position on the proposed "Green Claims Directive" (Directive). Under this Directive, EU Member States have 24 months from its implementation to incorporate its provisions into national law.
The EU's strengthened right to repair - what does it mean for UK businesses?
The EU has recently formally adopted the “Right to Repair Directive” (see press release here), which intends to clarify the obligations for manufacturers to repair goods and encourage consumers to extend a product’s lifecycle through repair. The old adage “make do and mend” being positively encouraged to reduce consumer consumption and waste.
The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive
This note gives an overview of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), an EU directive which came into force in 2023 as part of the EU’s green deal. The CSRD introduces new obligations for in-scope companies to report on environmental, social and governance (ESG) matters relating to their operations and their impact on the wider world. The scope of the CSRD extends to companies incorporated outside the EU that meet certain criteria.
Navigating Franchise renewal: Essential steps for franchisees and franchisors
It can also be a highly involved and often stressful period for franchisees and franchisors alike, where simmering differences come to a head and the commercial interests of franchisee and franchisor diverge.
A useful reminder on "good faith", the Braganza duty and contractual interpretation
In the recent case of Hunters Franchising Ltd v Brybond Ltd and Stephen Paul Berson the court considered whether, in the context of a master regional development agreement, (i) the franchisor (Hunters Franchising Ltd) had exercised its contractual discretion irrationally and/or for an improper purpose (in breach of an implied term often called the Braganza principle) when approving or disapproving developmental proposals put forward by its regional master franchisee (Brybond Ltd and Mr...
How to resolve franchise disputes
Written by Nicola Broadhurst on Tuesday, 06 June 2023. Posted in Legal Some legal advice for franchisors embroiled in a contractual dispute with a member or members of their network. Anyone who buys into a franchising model, which typically requires new business partners to spend a sizeable amount of money upfront, will obviously have high expectations of success.
Commercial and technology contracts legal A-Z: U is for unfair contract terms
Businesses dealing with consumers should be aware of their obligations under the unfair contract terms provisions of the Consumer Rights Act 2015 (the act) which updated the law in this regard. When will the unfair contract terms provisions of the act apply? The act applies to terms in business to consumer contracts but consumer to consumer and business to business contracts are outside its scope. The act also applies to terms in consumer notices.
Commercial and technology contracts legal A-Z: U is for unfair contract terms
Businesses dealing with consumers should be aware of their obligations under the unfair contract terms provisions of the Consumer Rights Act 2015 (the act) which updated the law in this regard. When will the unfair contract terms provisions of the act apply? The act applies to terms in business to consumer contracts but consumer to consumer and business to business contracts are outside its scope. The act also applies to terms in consumer notices.
Misrepresentation claims against Franchisors
Written by Nicola Broadhurst on Monday, 19 December 2022. Posted in Legal What can franchisors do to avoid claims being brought against them for misrepresenting the profitability of the franchise? What can franchisors do to avoid claims being brought against them for misrepresenting the profitability of the franchise?
Returning to the office, post-restrictions
How should a franchisee approach the difficult and often thorny issue of ‘ordering’ employees back to work? Andrew Reid of law firm Stevens-Bolton explains the nuts and bolts. On July 19th, all restrictions relating to Covid-19 in England were removed. This included the Government’s advice to ‘work from home if you can’. However, despite the lifting of restrictions, there was very little prospect of every employee rushing back to their offices immediately.
Safeguarding your family’s future
Solicitors Julie Howard and Nicola Broadhurst join forces to explain how franchisees can protect their businesses in the event of death or incapacity. Protecting a business has always been a top priority for owners but the uncertainty created by the on-going Covid-19 pandemic has only served to focus the minds even more. Having succession arrangements in place to address the risk of death, or even incapacity, is a key part of any protection strategy.
Setting up a Franchise: Director's duties and liability
Many franchisees (and franchisors) set up their franchise business trading through a limited liability company or occasionally a limited liability partnership, rather than as a sole trader. Many franchisees (and franchisors) set up their franchise business trading through a limited liability company or occasionally a limited liability partnership, rather than as a sole trader.
Making a success of diversifying through technology
By Nicola Broadhurst, Partner, and Anjelica Lovell, Associate at Stevens & Bolton LLP Diversification takes many forms including enhancing customer experience through perks like free coffees to the use of a sophisticated technology to provide a customised product. Ultimately it is a way to differentiate from competitors, increase sales and engage with the customer. For many retailers, a more drastic diversification to their offering is necessary to meet changing consumer preferences.
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