Sarah Cowen
Commercial property partner advising on acquisitions, development projects and secured lending, with expertise in the retail and care home sectors.
Specialisms & Areas of Work
Legal 500
Biography
Sarah is a partner in the Commercial Property team and Head of Myerson’s Retail sector.
Sarah’s workload includes advising on acquisitions and disposals of investment and development properties, landlord and tenant matters, secured lending, and forward funding arrangements. Sarah is also known for providing specialist legal support for the sale and purchase of care homes and supported living developments.
Sarah works closely with Myerson’s Corporate team, particularly in relation to joint ventures and transactions in the care/supported living sector.
Sarah’s experience in the Retail sector includes acting for major retail brands and shopping centre owners on purchases, sales, high-volume leasing programmes and all aspects of portfolio management.
Sarah was listed as a Next Generation Partner in the North West by the Legal 500 Directory 2026.
Client Feedback
Debbie
Dealt with Sarah Cowen on a renewal of a lease. From initial contact, fee quote and through to finalisation, Sarah was diligent, professional and informative and kept costs within the scope. would not hesitate to use her again.
David
I found Sarah and the team excellent in all matters related to the Sale of a commercial building situated in the centre of Liverpool. After the heads of terms were agreed upon, both parties were anxious for the sales contract to be completed as fast as possible, and Myersons stepped up to the challenge. I was impressed with the efficiency and professionalism. I was grateful for all the advice I received at all times.
Joe
Sarah was really personable, able to explain everything very simply, and managed the seller's (quite difficult) solicitors. I fully trusted Sarah to highlight what I needed to review and to take a sensible, pragmatic approach on everything else
Recent Experience
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Acted for an investor client on the acquisition and short term lease-back to the seller of a landmark industrial facility in Congleton.
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Advised a client in connection with a conditional contract, development funding agreement, and buy-back option for its purchase of a new-build office from a developer.
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Acted for a developer in connection with a property joint venture, the acquisition of a property SPV that owns a landmark site in Lancaster, and the associated refinance.
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Acted for a care home owner-operator in the restructuring, asset transfer and refinance of their UK portfolio of 26 care homes.
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Acted for a developer client on the sale of a nursing home to a healthcare provider for use as a specialised eating disorder facility.
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Advised a client in connection with a land sale and forward funding agreement with a large institutional fund for the provision of supported living accommodation.
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Acted for a farmer in connection with the grant of an option agreement to a renewable energy company for a solar panel and battery storage project.
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Acted for a charge point operator in connection with an agreement for lease of land for the installation and operation of electrical vehicle charging points (EVCPs).
Awards & Rankings
Legal 500 — Next Generation Partner
2026
Manchester Legal Awards — Property Team of the Year
2021Insights & Media
Commercial Property Pitfalls: Drafting with Confidence
In this practical and insightful webinar, our commercial property specialists at Myerson Solicitors explore key drafting risks and strategic considerations across a range of high-risk commercial property transactions. Covering overage agreements, option and conditional contracts, heads of terms, break clauses and lease renewals, this session is...
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Changes to the National Planning Policy Framework
Last July, Angela Rayner announced an overhaul of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) as part of the Government's pledge to deliver 1.5 million homes over the next five years and get Britain building again. In December, the Government published a revised version of the NPPF, considering the responses received during the consultation...
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High Street Rental Auctions – What You Need To Know
The nation's high streets look set to be given a new lease of life as the government gives local authorities new powers to auction off leases for commercial properties that have been empty for long periods. Data shows that in the final quarter of 2023, 1 in every seven shops nationwide were closed. The government has said it is determined to...
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7 Key Considerations Before Signing a Commercial Lease
Signing a new commercial lease agreement for your business is an exciting prospect, but you should take time and care to ensure the lease provisions are suitable for your business and are commercially workable. Even the most straightforward...
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EV Charging Leases
At the end of last year, the UAE hosted COP28, which saw significant commitments aimed at combating climate change, including a commitment to accelerate the roll-out of electric charging infrastructure. The Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate, which came into force in January this year, sets out the percentage of new zero emission vehicles that...
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Solar Farms – Benefits and Considerations for Landowners
With the government aiming to achieve a fivefold increase in the UK's solar power capacity to 70GW by 2035, many agricultural landowners are considering solar photovoltaic developments on their land. This commercial property blog looks at the benefits of solar leases for landowners and matters to consider when agreeing on lease terms. The solar...
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Lease Heads of Terms: Top Ten Tips
Heads of terms (HOTs) are used to outline the key commercial property terms of a proposed transaction. They are issued prior to solicitors being instructed and form the basis of the terms to be included in the legal documents. A well-drafted set of Heads of Terms will: Help the transaction run smoothly; Avoid unnecessary delays caused by...
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Commercial Lease Legal Updates 2026: What Retail Tenants Need to Know
As we approach the end of the second month of 2026, we look at some of the changes that retail tenants can expect during the remainder of this year and beyond. From major changes to rent review mechanisms to business rates reforms and stricter energy performance standards, these updates will all impact retailers. It is important to be aware of...
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How to Set Up a Padel Court in the UK: A Legal Guide
Padel is one of the fastest growing sports in the UK with hundreds of courts being built in the past year alone. Research from LTA (the National Governing Body for padel) states that at the end of 2025, 860,000 adults and juniors played padel at least once in the last year , doubling since 2024. Owning and operating a padel facility can offer...
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Legal Considerations When Setting Up a Pop-Up Shop
Pop-up shops have become a popular and flexible way for retailers to reach customers, test new markets, and create brand buzz without the long-term commitment of a traditional lease. However, behind their temporary nature lie important legal and practical considerations that both landlords and occupiers need to be aware of. In this article, our...
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Home-grown or recruited from national, regional or City firms. Our commercial property solicitors are experts in their fields and respected by their peers.