Restaurant Online suggests that Christmas 2024 is generally looking positive for the hospitality industry, with bookings up 54% compared to the same period in 2023. This is great news for three of Mason Thomas Law’s clients who opened hospitality businesses this year.
The owners of The Psalter in Sheffield, The Cottage in the Wood in the Lake District and The Pantry Brasserie in Bawtry all called on Mason Thomas Law this year to support them with commercial property lease negotiations and purchases for their businesses.
Beth and Jack Bond, Tom Lawson, and Kate Lawley and Stephen Gamet joined a growing list of clients in the hospitality and leisure sector that Mason Thomas Law has supported since 2019.
The Cottage in the Wood
The Cottage in the Wood is a Michelin Star Lake District restaurant with rooms in Braithwaite, Whinlatter Forest. The long-established business was acquired by Beth and Jack Bond in June 2024. They purchased the business and property, which was originally a 17th century coaching inn, from its former owners who retired after 22 years of ownership.
The business, which boasts a restaurant and eight bedrooms, has had a Michelin star since 2019 and this was successfully retained in 2024 under Jack who is the head chef.
Associate Solicitor Candice, who oversaw the purchase of the building, said: “It was a pleasure supporting two energetic entrepreneurs in their first venture into restaurant ownership.”
The purchase of The Cottage in the Wood was swiftly followed by lease negotiations for Sheffield’s Psalter Hotel, which re-opened its doors in August after being reimagined by renowned chef Tom Lawson.
Mason Thomas Law negotiated the 10-year lease on the building on behalf of Tom. Lease negotiations were overseen by Cathy Thomas, Managing Director of Mason Thomas Law. Tom said: “Cathy’s commercial advice was invaluable. She was proactive and very responsive throughout the process. I was delighted with the outcome.”
Tom Lawson outside the reimagined Psalter Hotel
The Psalter boasts 21 bedrooms, bar, restaurant and private hire area. Next year, Mason Thomas Law will be hosting its fundraising event, Paws and Pour, in the private hire area of the venue on Thursday 27 February. The ticket-only cheese, wine and quiz evening will be raising funds for Mason Thomas Law’s nominated charity, Support Dogs.
The end of August also saw The Pantry Brasserie in Bawtry’s marketplace open. The opening followed a seven-year lease being secured on the Grade 1 listed building earlier in the year by Mason Thomas Law on behalf of owners Kate Lawley and Stephen Gamet.
Kate said: “The team at Mason Thomas Law were, as ever, responsive and dedicated to helping me achieve my vision. It’s never easy negotiating a commercial lease, but they make the process as straightforward as possible and are incredibly supportive throughout.”
The Pantry Basserie was the second commercial property for Kate and Stephen that Mason Thomas Law supported them in acquiring. The couple also own and run one of Lincolnshire’s top country house wedding destinations – Wootton Hall near Barton-
The Pantry Brasserie in Bawtry
upon-Humber. Back in 2022, Mason Thomas law helped Kate to purchase the beautiful 18th century Hall which boasts its very own private 9-hole golf course, luxury bridal wing as well as separate accommodation in the grounds for wedding guests.
The purchase of the wedding venue was the culmination of a two-and-a-half-year journey which began pre-Covid in September 2019.
Despite Covid-enforced wedding cancellations, Kate was so committed to her dream that she chose to lease the venue from the previous owners and wait out the pandemic until commercial lenders were active in the market again. Finance was subsequently secured, and the purchase of Wootton Hall was completed in January 2022,
Her gamble and patience paid off. Kate now owns and run one of Lincolnshire’s top country house wedding destinations.
Jo Malcolm, Director of Mason Thomas Law, said: “It was an honour to help Kate achieve her aspiration. The and I admired Kate’s determination despite the obstacles in her path. She never lost sight of what she wanted to create even when the odds were stacked against her. Wootton Hall is testament to her vision. It’s stunning.”
If you’re a hospitality business owner and looking to acquire or lease commercial premises in 2025, Mason Thomas Law’s team of property law specialists can help. To find out more, get in touch here.
If you’d like to purchase tickets to the Paws & Pour event, email laurenharrison@masonthomaslaw.co.uk