The hospitality and leisure sector in the UK is a cornerstone of the economy and a global standard for heritage, service, and innovation. Major cities like London, Edinburgh, and Manchester — along with thriving regional destinations — continue to attract millions of domestic and international visitors annually. Strategic initiatives such as the Tourism Recovery Plan and VisitBritain campaigns aim to restore inbound travel to pre-pandemic levels and strengthen the UK’s position as a premier global destination. Private investment in the sector remains strong, with leading international hotel groups and boutique brands expanding rapidly to meet high demand. The leisure market, including attractions, wellness, and entertainment venues, is also growing steadily — with major developments across cultural, culinary, and sports tourism. Meanwhile, the UK’s MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) sector is rebounding, with venues like ExCeL London, NEC Birmingham, and Scottish Event Campus playing host to world-class events. As sustainability becomes a core priority, opportunities continue to emerge for eco-conscious hospitality developments and technology-driven guest experiences.

At John & Partners, we offer comprehensive legal support to clients across the hospitality and leisure spectrum. Our team advises on complex hotel management agreements, representing both international operators and UK-based property owners to negotiate terms that align operational control with long-term asset value.

We advise on the structuring of mixed-use developments, ensuring compliance with UK planning laws, leasehold arrangements, and building regulations. Our real estate team manages high-value resort and hotel transactions, conducting due diligence for acquisitions, disposals, and joint ventures.

In the leisure space, our employment law specialists support businesses navigating high turnover, seasonal staffing, and evolving UK employment regulations. We also protect the core assets of the sector through our intellectual property team, who safeguard hotel brands, restaurant concepts, entertainment formats, and experiential IP.

As digital innovation becomes integral to guest services, John & Partners provides counsel on data protection (UK GDPR), e-commerce agreements with OTAs (Online Travel Agencies), and the legal frameworks governing AI and automation in hospitality operations.