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Morley sued by adult film company(Estates Gazette Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge) Christian MetcalfeMorley Fund Management property head Ian Womack has been drawn into a court dispute with a maker of adult films, after a King Sturge agent visited the premises to discuss the leasing of additional space.Paul Baxendale-Walker is suing Morley for up to ?50,000 in damages after his TV and film pre-production company, MPRO, was served a notice to quit his 15,000 sq ft warehouse at the Gateway industrial estate in Chessington, Surrey, in April. Womack and industrial fund head Justin Brand are named in a claim that resists Morley's attempt to end the 15-year lease. MPRO is accused of breaching the "permitted use" covenant by allowing the film and TV production unit to be used "for photography and videography which included items of a glamour or sexual nature".The claim document reveals that Morley's cause for action was that: "The filming and/or photography of material of a 'glamour' or sexually explicit nature was in breach of the convenants against such use of the premises as might become a nuisance, disturbance or annoyance to any person and/or was an offensive or immoral trade or activity."MPRO told EG that other occupiers at the park "are great fans of our girls". The dispute arose after King Sturge partner Tim Clement raised concerns about the use of the warehouse following a visit on 23 March to discuss leasing the adjacent unit.Baxendale-Walker said Clements "spent only five minutes" in MPRO's reception, where advertisements for the company's glamour and adult entertainment brand, Bluebird Productions, were on display (example, right).He claims that terms for the additional warehousing space were confirmed by King Sturge on 26 March but that, on 5 April, "without further communication", it received the notice to quit.Bluebird president Joanna Birch-Jones said: "We regret that Morley has instigated this unnecessary dispute. We hope that Morley will be able to resolve these matters in a commonsense way."Morley said it was "vigorously defending" its decision.A meeting to settle the claim was scheduled to take place on 2 August. Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information - UK. All Rights Reserved. |