Businesses are served with eviction notices by Wells House owners
THREE businesses have been evicted from Wells House.
The move comes just weeks after the closure of the Irish Wildlife Sanctuary. Wexford Design House, the Tate Guerin Gallery and the FairyWood shop all received a solicitor’s letter acting on behalf of Wells House giving them one month’s notice of the termination of their licence agreement.
Paula Guerin, who owns the Wexford Design House and the Tate Guerin Gallery said the letters had come has a big shock but said that she was unable to comment on the matter because of ongoing legal issues.
In a statement on her Facebook page Paula wrote: ‘Dear artists and visitors, as you know Tate Guerin Gallery has been exhibiting artists’ work since our first exhibition opening in April 2013. During this time I have ran the gallery without profit and my time has been dedicated to the promotion of visual arts and artists.
‘Sales from the design shop have allowed me to keep the gallery open and I would love nothing more than to continue promoting artists work without or without profit of self-gain.
‘So as you can understand it is with great sadness, on the 13th of September I opened a solicitor’s letter acting on behalf of Wells House (Mr Ulrich Rosler) giving me one month’s notice of termination of licence agreement.
‘This termination is without reason as with a licence agreement no reason of termination is required, only one month’s notice.
‘During my time in Wells House I have enjoyed meeting many artist and visitor as well as hosting many openings and I would hope to do so again in the near future albeit somewhere else. I am completely devastated by the decision of Wells House to oust me from both my Design Shop and art gallery and the feeling of dejection will, I am certain take a long time to heal,
‘Unfortunately and with great distress I must now cancel all future exhibitions. I must also ask all artists who have work on show in Tate Guerin Gallery to make arrangements with me over the coming days to collect your work from the gallery.
‘The day of eviction from Wells House is Friday, October 14, 2016 so please have all work removed before this date.’
Lisa Furlong of the FairyWood shop said she had been at Wells House for the past four and a half years. ‘It was a big shock, I had no idea it was coming,’ said Lisa. ‘I just got a solicitor’s letter in the post giving the termination of my licence agreement.
‘I’m just trying to find a new place now and packing up my shop. I’ve had a good few offers so will see how things go. I’m finishing at Wells House on October 14.
‘I’ve been overwhelmed by the support I’ve received from people since this happened.’
In a statement on her Facebook Lisa posted: ‘It is with great sadness we opened a solicitor’s letter, acting of behalf of Wells House (Mr Ulick Rosler) giving us one month’s notice of termination of licence agreement.
‘So now our time has come to be moved on. As this has come as a shock to us, we now have no home. We are looking for a new home where we can meet you again and you can come visit us.
‘In the meantime please keep in contact with us here. We are due to be evicted on Friday the 14th October so please come in and say farewell anytime up to then.’
Wells House, in a statement on Facebook, said the fairy walk will continue to be part of the Wells House experience despite the eviction of Fairy Wood shop. ‘I would like to assure all our friends and visitors that the much-loved Wells fairy walk will remain part of the Wells experience. We will also continue to host our fairy themed hunts and the beautiful fairies that arrived earlier in the year on the fountain and in the trees in the arboretum will stay in their home at Wells. We intend for the Wells woodland to continue to delight and surprise and fairy doors are part of the magic of this woodland adventure and they will remain at Wells for our visitors.
‘Likewise work has commenced on our new Animal Farm and Falconry Centre under the guidance of our new resident falconer and feedback from recent visitors has been positive.
‘Every decision made is made after careful consideration with the visitor experience at Wells our number one priority. Decisions are also based on customer feedback and as we have always stated how grateful we are for the support we have received. When and where possible suggestions and requests were made to ensure continuity but sadly in some case resolutions cannot found.
‘We would like to assure you that we will continue to deliver an excellent visitor experience.’