Bailiffs shutter The Wired Lobby following alleged 'breach in terms and conditions of operator’s lease'

Alex O'Leary

17 April 2024 at 5:16 am·2-min read

The Wired Lobby, in Captain Cook Square -Credit:Teesside Live

Bailiffs have shuttered new Middlesbrough esports venue The Wired Lobby.

Teesside Live can reveal that enforcement agents have secured the Captain Cook Square unit following an alleged breach in the terms and conditions of the operator's lease. It comes months after the venue opened to customers in December, following several delays.

The project has been shrouded in mystery in recent months after the venue temporarily closed in February, before reopening in early March. Bosses apologised for the "lack of communication regarding the closure" at the time - but the venue has not reopened since closing ahead of Easter weekend, with pictures showing the site shuttered this week.

A notice has since been taped to the wall outside of the venue. The Wired Lobby is yet to respond to the closure, with the last social media update posted before Easter.

The notice, drawn up by enforcement agents Looprevil Ltd, states: "Under the terms and conditions of your lease, we, as authorised agents acting on behalf of the landlord, have this day re-entered these premises and the lease is hereby determined.

The notice outside The Wired Lobby -Credit:UGC

"Any attempt by you or your agents to enter the demised premises will result in criminal/civil proceedings being taken against you. All enquiries must be made in the first instance to the above office of Looprevil Ltd quoting the above reference."

As previously reported, the development encountered several delays after initially scheduling a May 2022 opening date and finally welcomed customers into the former Peacocks store just before Christmas. However, after just weeks of trading, it closed temporarily.

Middlesbrough Council - which confirmed the news of the bailiffs being asked to secure the unit - bought the shopping complex several years ago.

Teesside Live understands that the firm Gaming Venues, which is trading as The Wired Lobby, previously received around £500,000 from the council, half as a loan and half as a grant. It is understood that the council has a legal charge against all of the fixtures and fittings in the units if grant or loan recovery is required at the site.

Captain Cook Square is currently undergoing a huge regeneration project, with go-karting venue Level X set to be joined soon by American fast food chain Wendy's, a boutique cinema, and a new restaurant.

The authority has not revealed any details regarding what terms and conditions of the lease were breached. A spokesman said: “The managing agent of Captain Cook Square has instructed bailiffs to secure this unit. This follows a breach of the terms and conditions of the operator’s lease."

For breaking news in your area direct to your inbox every day, go here to sign up to our free newsletter

The Telegraph
Post Office lawyer who oversaw Alan Bates case refusing to co-operate with inquiry
A former top Post Office lawyer who oversaw Alan Bates’s High Court battle against the business is refusing to co-operate with the statutory inquiry.
The Telegraph
‘I earn six figures as a KC, but insurer refused to pay out my full salary when I nearly died’
Dear Katie, I was taken seriously ill in November 2023 and had to go to three hospitals in two weeks due to thrombosis on my abdomen and lung.
The Telegraph
How to save £3,000 on your business class flight this summer
We all know the old joke about the tourist in Ireland who asks a local for directions to Dublin. “If I were you,” the local replies, “I wouldn’t start from here.” Who knew the same applies to long-haul air travel from Britain in 2024? If you are prepared to start your long-haul journey outside the UK, you can save a small fortune, especially on business-class tickets.
The Telegraph
Ministers plan to replace low-paid migrants with unemployed Britons
The Government is launching a new initiative to fill low-paid “migrant roles” with jobless Britons, The Telegraph has learned.
Ideal Home
Small hallway ideas – Simple decorating tricks to maximise a small space
The best small hallway ideas will take your entrance from cluttered and cramped to a well-designed zone that is both functional and in line with the rest of your interior. The best hallway ideas encompass both fashion and function, whether that be innovative storage solutions that optimise unused space or ways to accessorise that don't create extra mess.
South Wales Argus
Japanese Knotweed growth in Wales may impact house prices
Homeowners in Wales are being urged to be mindful of Japanese Knotweed and the impact it can have on homes.
The Telegraph
‘I traded my gold-plated pension – for two sports cars, a horse and 30 RC planes’
For most savers, the prospect of a guaranteed income until you die would be hard to turn down.
Fool.co.uk
Here’s how I’d invest £800 the Warren Buffett way!
Christopher Ruane learns some lessons from super-investor Warren Buffett he hopes could improve his own stock market performance. The post Here’s how I’d invest £800 the Warren Buffett way! appeared first on The Motley Fool UK.
The Telegraph
How US-style tipping came to Britain – and sparked outrage from diners and drinkers
When L’Escargot, one of London’s oldest French restaurants, reopened after a refurbishment last year it wasn’t just the interiors that were different.
Birmingham Live
Shoppers told 'do not eat' as £1.20 item sold in Sainsbury's and Ocado recalled
The recall comes because it contains wheat (gluten) which is not mentioned on the label.
Fortune
Two Texas cattle traders promised epic returns on investment. Now, they’re accused of a $161 million Ponzi scheme
The “too good to be true” agribusiness promised a 15% guaranteed return on just $2,000 down, the government said.
Fool.co.uk
This £3 value stock could soar in the AI boom
This under-the-radar value stock could do well on the back of the huge global build-out of data centres in the years ahead, says Edward Sheldon. The post This £3 value stock could soar in the AI boom appeared first on The Motley Fool UK.
CNN
A closer look at the sexual misconduct lawsuits against Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs
Even before law enforcement raided his homes, the many-named rapper, producer and businessman Sean “Diddy” Combs faced a host of legal issues.
Woman & Home
30 mesmerising castles you can actually stay in
So to provide some unique holiday inspiration, here is a selection of the most beautiful castles you can stay in. Ram Bihari, nestled between ancient mountains and overlooking the picture-perfect Siliserh Lake is the ideal place to kick back and relax, especially if you’re looking to combine your break with a spot of tiger watching too, since the area surrounding the castle is known for its tiger habitat. The three-hundred-year-old structure is a true architectural marvel, while the hotel itself boasts tastefully decorated bedrooms in keeping with the building's aesthetic.
The Telegraph
Top NHS doctors failing to claim pension pay worth more than £40,000 a year
Thousands of doctors may be missing out on over £40,000 a year in unclaimed pension payments, analysis shows.
Yahoo Finance Video
Copper prices rise amid supply squeeze
Copper (HG=F) prices have risen this year amid a supply squeeze. Wells Fargo Head of Real Asset Strategy John LaForge joins The Morning Brief to discuss what is driving copper prices higher and the commodity's outlook. "We, frankly, are not producing enough copper, and yet, there are buyers everywhere right now for copper," LaForge says. However, he explains that the recent rise "was much more speculator-based and wasn't about fundamentals." He adds that commodities have been among the "best-performing major assets out there" since the coronavirus pandemic despite often being overlooked. "Decade after decade, mankind uses more and more commodities, so you have demand going up all the time," he explains. Major factors that impact commodities usually boil down to underlying fundamentals rather than geopolitical roadblocks, LaForge notes. "We were running dry on refined product. And you had some speculators come in and take advantage of that on a futures basis," LaForge says. He adds that despite this bump in the road, demand will continue to surpass supply, driving prices higher. For more expert insight and the latest market action, click here to watch this full episode of Morning Brief. This post was written by Melanie Riehl
Fortune
I’m nearing 65 and am better than ever at my job. With more boomers opting not to retire, I’m not alone
Older Americans will account for 57% of the country’s labor-force growth in the coming decade.
Reuters
Hershey faces larger lawsuit over missing designs on Reese's candies
Hershey is facing a renewed, larger lawsuit claiming it misled consumers about the amount of artistic detail they would find on several Reese's peanut butter candies after opening the packaging. In a proposed class action on Friday, four Reese's consumers in southern Florida said they were "very disappointed" that the candies they bought late last year looked plain, and lacked the "explicit carved out artistic designs" shown on the packaging. The nine candies included several with Halloween and Christmas themes, as well as Reese's Peanut Butter footBalls and Reese's Medal.
France 24
Russian court seizes millions of euros worth of German bank assets
A Russian court has ordered that Deutsche Bank's and Commerzbank's assets, accounts, property and shares be seized in Russia as part of a lawsuit involving the German banks, court documents showed. The banks were among the guarantor lenders under a contract for the construction of a gas processing plant in Russia with Germany's Linde, which was terminated due to Western sanctions.The lawsuits were filed by St Petersburg-based RusChemAlliance, a joint venture 50% owned by Russian gas giant Gazpro
Birmingham Live
Nationwide issues 'concerning' warning to 'all' age groups of customers
All age groups concerned by rate of branch closures, new Nationwide research has revealed, as the number nationwide hits 6,000.

Latest stories