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Property deal gifts Hammonds £2.3m cash windfall

Author: Ben Mitchell

Published: 14/06/2007 02:40

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Hammonds is in line for a £2.3m cash windfall, after agreeing a new property deal for its Manchester office.

The national giant is understood to have secured the money from The Church Commissioners (TCC), the previous owner of the firm’s Manchester offices. Hammonds introduced TCC to the subsequent buyers of the building prior to its sale last year and has also relinquished its own option to buy the premises. The £2.3m payment will be spread over several years. Hammonds has now agreed a 10-year lease to remain in the premises.

A Hammonds spokesperson said: “The agreement is a mark of our commitment to developing our presence in Manchester. This arrangement will enable us to plan for the future requirements of the office and embark upon a programme of refurbishment.”

It is relatively rare for firms to secure money from property deals. Olswang sealed a £12.5m cash injection in 2002 after selling the freehold on its headquarters.

The news comes as Hammonds kicks off formal proceedings against a group of 14 former partners as the firm’s acrimonious two-year profits dispute enters its latest stage.

As reported on legalweek.com (11 June), the sides have failed to agree a settlement, setting the scene for a rare courtroom dispute between a commercial firm and its former partners.

A spokesperson said: “We have, at all times, sought to treat partners in a fair and equitable manner, consistent with the treatment of partners who remain with the firm. After a good number of months trying to reach an agreement, we now believe it is in the interests of all concerned that we bring the matter to a conclusion.”

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