S Franses, which also houses a tapestry archive, has operated from the gallery for more than 25 years. Its 15-year lease came to an end last year and landlord the Cavendish Hotel, run by The Ascott Limited, which is a subsidiary of Singapore’s CapitaLand, hoped to redevelop the gallery into two shops and re-let them to retailers. However S Franses has been fighting to stay in the gallery.
"David versus Goliath"
The dispute went to the London County Court earlier this year and S Franses lost. However, on appeal to the High Court earlier this month, that decision was overturned and Capitaland were instructed to contribute to the gallery’s legal costs.
A spokesman for the hotel said: "The outcome of the High Court decision on July 3 is that, subject to any appeal by either party, the case is to be remitted back to the County Court for further consideration. Accordingly, we would be happy to comment once the litigation has been finally concluded."
Simon Franses, a third-generation director at the firm, described it as a “David versus Goliath” case and said the gallery had previously been a “respected and valued tenant of the Cavendish Hotel for 25 years”.
S Franses and another Jermyn Street tenant, bespoke shoemaker Foster & Sons, applied to Westminster Council for planning protection. The application was approved, which means the two properties are restricted to use as art galleries and bespoke retail use only and could not be re-let to a general fashion retailer.
