Legal

Locked out: Foot Locker loses appeal over unpaid pandemic rent

Dismissed appeal follows what is believed to be the first pandemic-related rent dispute heard by an appellate court in Ireland

Foot Locker argued that its Grafton St lease was “partially frustrated” as a result of lockdowns, making performance of contract impossible. Picture: Fergal Phillips

Foot Locker has lost its appeal against a High Court ruling ordering the sportswear retailer to pay rent owed to its landlord due to pandemic-related shutdowns.

Foot Locker was in dispute with Percy Nominees Ltd, an investment company controlled by Davy Stockbrokers, over outstanding rent liabilities of nearly €1 million on a €750,000-a-year lease for the retailer’s Grafton Street store.

Foot Locker had requested that over €519,000 of this be written off for the 253 ...