Southampton: Trethowans advises on sale of Sandy Balls

Trethowans has kicked off 2017 by overseeing the sale of one of the UK’s best-known holiday parks.  The law firm’s corporate team has advised on the sale of Sandy Balls Estate, operator of Sandy Balls holiday village, to Away Resorts.

The acquisition brings the number of holiday parks owned by Away Resorts to six, including its Whitecliffe Bay resort on the Isle of Wight and Mill Rythe on Hayling Island.

Sandy Balls, set in the New Forest, has been a popular holiday destination for almost 100 years and is an award-winning, five-star holiday village offering woodland lodges, static holiday homes, camping pods, safari tents and pitches.

The team at Trethowans was led by corporate partner Nick Gent, with support from corporate senior associate Lucy Grey, commercial property solicitor Laura Towey and employment partner Simon Rhodes.

Gent said: “Given the scale and complexity of the sale, thorough planning was required from the advisers involved in order to bring the transaction to a successful completion.”

Iain Brown, former managing director of Sandy Balls, said: “It was important we chose the legal firm most able to understand our business, the opportunities that existed and the objectives of the purchasing party. Nick Gent and his team have been exceptional in providing the guidance, support and experience required to simplify and enhance an often highly-complicated process. Nick is considered, commercial and thorough, able to communicate succinctly across a wide shareholder group and recognise the needs of all involved.”