Hempel hotel management threatens owners with court action

The Japanese company that owns London hotel the Hempel has been issued with a High Court writ by Lady Weinberg, better known as actress Anouska Hempel, who designed the hotel in Craven Hill Gardens.

Her company, Anouska Hempel Management, runs the hotel under a 1992 agreement.

It served the writ to stop the hotel's owner, Japanese investment firm Fujita, from becoming more involved in its management.

Anouska Hempel Management has denied rumours that it did so because it was concerned by Fujita's mounting debts, which are understood to stand at more than £6m.

The writ asks that: "The defendant (Hempel Hotels) be restrained from taking any steps to prevent or hinder the claimant (Anouska Hempel Management) from performing its function of the management of the Hempel hotel."

Neville Ablitt, managing director of Anouska Hempel Management, said: "I can confirm there is a dispute. We are trying to resolve it and if we cannot there will be a court hearing this week.

"The writ is unrelated to the financial status of the owning company."

Source: Caterer and Hotelkeeper magazine, 10 - 16 February 2000