LAW firm Gordon Brown LLP has advised one of the country’s leading caravan firms on the completion of a multi-million-pound purchase of two key dealerships in the North.

The Newcastle firm helped Catterick Caravans with its growth plans by completing deals for major retail outlets in Birtley and York.

The caravan-maker has finalised the purchase of two the dealerships from Discover Leisure, taking over its 2.5 acre site at Portobello Road in Birtley near the A1 and another flagship site on the A64 at Flaxton Moor near York. The site at Birtley is now trading as Tyneside Leisure World. The business, which is run by brothers Chris and Matthew Kinsell, was advised on the deal by the law firm after the previous owners went into administration.

The law firm’s team, which was led by James McEwan and senior partner Gordon Brown, worked closely with the client, surveyors and Barclays Finance to complete the deal.

Catterick Caravans is one of the UK’s biggest caravan and outdoor leisure operators. It employs 60 people at its headquarters in Richmond.

The deal increases the family-run company’s foothold in the North East and, more importantly, keeps competitors out of the region.

It will retail new and used caravans and motorhomes at its new sites.

Chris Kinsell, managing director at Catterick Caravans, said: “We’re delighted to have completed this deal. It’s a natural expansion of the business and increases our foothold and business in the North.

“This move represents not just our growing influence in the leisure vehicle sector, but our commitment to our North East of England stronghold.

“There was strong interest from firms in the South to buy these sites so it was important strategically that we were able to secure the deal.

“Gordon Brown was fantastic in helping us to tie up the deal so quickly and we’re very appreciative of their support and professional advice in tying everything up.”

James McEwen, from Gordon Brown, said: “For a deal of this size, we were able to help the client achieve a very swift turnaround.

“It’s an excellent opportunity for the client. They are buying well-known dealerships with a strong track record and a lot of goodwill attached to them. “The site in Birtley has been there since the 70s and is in a great location.”

Gordon Brown is a multi-discipline law firm, handling a wide range of legal and property-related matters for its clients.

The firm currently employs 85 people in the region with additional legal offices in Chester-le-Street. Founded in 1981, it is ranked in the Legal500 – the leading industry guide to the legal profession.