Director told to pay rent to landlord

THE former director of bars 3C and Molly Malones in Wellington has been ordered to pay the outstanding rent to his former landlord, worth close to $200,000.

A rent arrears claim against Ewan Henderson was held in the High Court at Wellington in July before Associate Judge Warwick Smith.

Henderson claimed scaffolding put up by the landlord, Zheng Li Trust, at his 3C business, led to the demise of the popular Irish bar, Molly Malones.

He also claimed the thwarted his efforts to Irish bar.

The dispute was over rent arrears and compliance with lease covenants for Molly Malones (Wellington) and 3C Bar.

Both businesses were put into liquidation in January.

Wellington property investor Chao (Charlie) Zheng is the director landlord sell the of Zheng Li Trust.

The Zheng Li Trust court documents say both bars owed hundreds of thousands of dollars in rent.

Associate Judge Smith granted summary judgment.

Henderson has been ordered to pay $48,886.01 in outstanding rent for 3C along with interest of $3191.65.

The judge agreed with an offer by the landlord to take two months rent off the initial owed rent for the alleged issues arising from scaffolding.

Outstanding rent of $124,822.29 for Molly Malones was to paid to the landlord along with interest of $8775.16. Costs were reserved. Applications for summary judgment on the costs arising from the disclaimer of the lease were dismissed on that basis that they should go to a hearing.

Henderson said he was unsure if he would appeal.