A buoyant deals market is good news for all

By Lancashire Business View

12 Mar 2018

pauline-rigby-forbes.jpg
By Pauline Rigby, head of corporate and restucturing, Forbes Solicitors.

The deals market within Lancashire remains buoyant, good news for all.

Our expectation is that 2018 should generally reflect 2017, with transactions continuing at a similar rate.

The dealsmarket is especially good for acquisitive buyers who are picking up some great deals whilst the market for sellers still remains a little unknown. Those who are acquisitive amongst us are generally making the most of the unknown market conditions and structuring good deals for sellers who, due to the unknown market conditions, are willing to accept either less consideration or a more fluid payment structure.

Our experience indicates that such buyers are not only based in the UK, but overseas, who generally have a plan for their acquisitions and will have specific businesses on their radar.

Sellers who are performing well within their sectors may be of the opinion that they are riding the crest of wave and therefore 2018 may see some more activity with sellers becoming increasingly concerned as to the effect of Brexit.

The deals process

Once the business has been effectively marketed for sale and the offer has been accepted, it is time for the parties to agree heads of terms. Whilst not legally binding in all respects, heads of terms are an exceptionally good tool for the parties to agree the specific terms and can have a positive effect on the smoothness of the transaction.

Once the principal terms have been agreed, the process of due diligence commences. Sellers should be organised and ready to deliver documentation and replies to enquiries as and when raised. A timely response can leave a positive impression on a buyer, again making for a smooth process during what can be a stressful part of the deal.

Once this stage has been completed the legal paperwork for the transaction will need to be put in place. It is important at this stage that the advisors are all experienced in corporate transactions and focus on the deal at hand agreed in the heads of terms.

It is also important for the buyers and sellers to continue to communicate effectively throughout the transaction, maintaining good relations as the majority of transactions involve the buyer and the seller working together in some capacity post completion.

A typical sale process can be anything from six to 16 weeks dependent upon the size and complexity of the deal, whether or not external funding is required, whether third party consents are required and how ready the seller is for the sale process itself.

The process is similar no matter how big or small the business is, though the issues may be more complex and have more administrative requirements on larger deals. Note that public company sales are entirely different and governed by very different rules and specialist PLC advisors would be required for a deal of that nature.

Latest news

1

Three weekly domestic waste collection considered in plans Waste recycling Blackpool

Three weekly domestic waste collection considered in plans

01 Jul 2025

2

Graham Engineering confirms acquisition to a2e Industries Graham Engineering

Graham Engineering confirms acquisition to a2e Industries

01 Jul 2025

3

Training 2000 celebrate 'Good' rating by Ofsted Training 2000

Training 2000 celebrate 'Good' rating by Ofsted

01 Jul 2025

4

Fox Group acquires J Fisher and Sons Colin Fisher, Paul Fox CEO and Gary Fisher.

Fox Group acquires J Fisher and Sons

01 Jul 2025

5

Beever and Struthers strengthen leadership team with new partners Dean Curtis and Joe Diston

Beever and Struthers strengthen leadership team with new partners

01 Jul 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
LBV123 July/August Launch Event
Lancashire Business View magazine launch
Networking
16 Jul 2025

LBV123 July/August Launch Event

Burnley

08:30 - 10:30

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

Business Bike Club – July
Chamber Logo1.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
01 Jul 2025 - 01 Jul 2025

Business Bike Club – July

Various, Lancaster, LA

08:00 - 09:30

Chamber Breakfast Networking – July
Chamber Logo1.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
02 Jul 2025 - 02 Jul 2025

Chamber Breakfast Networking – July

St John's Hospice, Slyne Road, Lancaster, LA2 6ST

08:00 - 10:00

The Marketing Metrics that Matter – July 4
LBV Hub Seminars
04 Jul 2025 - 04 Jul 2025

The Marketing Metrics that Matter – July 4

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Burnley, BB11 1JG

08:30 - 11:00

Tri-Site Survey Equipment Showcase
unnamed (2).jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
09 Jul 2025 - 09 Jul 2025

Tri-Site Survey Equipment Showcase

Crow Wood Hotel, Burnley, BB12 0RT

09:30 - 16:00

Chamber Summer BBQ
LBV Hub Social
17 Jul 2025 - 17 Jul 2025

Chamber Summer BBQ

The Borough, Dalton Square, Lancaster, LA1 1PP

17:30 - 20:00

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?
July Longer Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
29 Jul 2025 - 29 Jul 2025

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:30

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July
Longer July Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
31 Jul 2025 - 31 Jul 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Cumbria Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880461633-4862066883-1-original.20241022-110415.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
19 Sep 2025 - 19 Sep 2025

Cumbria Business Expo 2025

Carlisle Racecourse, Carlisle, CA2 4TS

09:00 - 15:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV122 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin