Travers Smith and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer have advised on the establishment of a new Tesco-backed coffee venture called Harris & Hoole.

Tesco has reportedly taken a 49% share in the new business, with independent coffee outlet Taylor St Baristas holding the majority stake. 

The first Harris & Hoole shop opened in Amersham, Buckinghamshire, on 18 August, with further shops set to open in Ruislip and Uxbridge as part of a wider roll-out.

Taylor St was assisted by a Travers team led by corporate partner Paul Dolman, along with head of intellectual property Dan Reavill and senior associate Ben Chivers.

Meanwhile, Tesco was advised by a Freshfields team including relationship partner Claire Wills and corporate partner Natasha Good.

Taylor St was first established in 2006 is currently based in seven locations across London and Brighton.

Commenting on the deal, Dolman said: "This was an exciting and innovative transaction, bringing together the entrepreneurship and knowhow of a relatively small artisan coffee business with the financial backing of a retail heavyweight."

The news comes after Herbert Smith and Linklaters earlier this year advised on the $617m (£382m) sale of European coffee business United Coffee to Japanese coffee business UCC Holdings, in a deal expected to see the combined entity become one of the five largest independent coffee companies in the world.