Clifford Chance (CC) and Bond Dickinson have taken the lead roles on turnaround specialist Hilco Capital's acquisition of Staples' UK business.

The deal has seen Hilco acquire the UK operations of the US office supplies giant for a "nominal sum".

Staples, which has 107 offices in the UK employing 1,300 people, is refocusing its efforts on its North American business. The Financial Times has reported that the retailer is also close to finding a buyer for its European operations. The Staples brand will now be phased out in the UK during the coming months.

CC is understood to be advising Staples with a team led out of  its Amsterdam office by corporate partners David Griston and Thijs Alexander.

Meanwhile, Bond Dickinson is acting for Hilco with a team led by Bristol corporate partner Tom Fitzpatrick.

CC has acted for Staples in the past, advising on its attempted $6.3bn (£4bn) takeover of rival Home Depot in 2015. CC provided EU competition advice, with Brussels partner Tony Reeves leading the firm's team, but the deal was ultimately unsuccessful after it was blocked by US judges on antitrust grounds.

Bond Dickinson also has a history with Hilco, having advised on previous deals including its acquisition this May of around 100 stores from the Co-operative Group, the acquisition of jewellery chain Chapelle in 2015, and the 2014 acquisition of Bank Fashion from JD Sports.

Overall, 2016 has been another tough year for the UK high street, with a number of major retailers shutting their doors including BHS and fashion retailer Austin Reed, both of which went into administration.

Weil Gotshal & Manges and DLA Piper took lead roles on the administration of BHS, while Squire Patton Boggs led on Austin Reed's administration.