Laser combat zone faces being axed amid landlord's sale plan
A 'laser combat' zone that attracts around 6,000 youngsters a year faces the axe, after the business and three other companies were given their marching orders by their landlord.
All four businesses, which employ a total of around 30 people, are based on the former Bronx factory site at the junction of Thorns Road and Dudley Road, Lye. The land owners plan to flatten the site so it can be sold.
Given notice to quit by July 31 are laser combat centre Battle Storm HQ, its parent company Momentum Ltd, manufacturing company Bradbury International UK, and Triple C Costume Hire. Momentum, which makes the laser equipment used by Battle Storm HQ, is hoping to find alternative premises. But Battle Storm HQ is unlikely to be able to find other premises big enough, so five of its six workers will lose their jobs. "It's a complete blow," said manager Helen Morris, the only member of staff to keep her job as she also works for Momentum.
"Despite being hugely popular with the public since opening in February 2010, we are being forced to close due to the landlord demolishing the building and forcing us, and other tenants, out on the street. I know the kids really enjoy it – they love the Call of Duty computer game, and Battle Storm HQ gives them the chance to have a go with laser replica weapons in a safe environment.
"There is very little protection for businesses suffering from such decisions by landlords." Miss Morris, daughter of Momentum director David Morris, said that in October, the companies were given six months' notice to leave which was extended to July 31.
"We're desperately trying to find other premises for Momentum, which employs five of us, but there is little chance we would find anywhere big enough for Battle Storm HQ," she added. Battle Storm HQ occupies the downstairs part of the former Bronx factory, thought to have been built in the 1940s, while Momentum is upstairs.
Miss Morris said the business would need an area of about 5,000sqft. Bradbury International UK and Triple C Costume Hire are in other buildings on the same site but both said they had plans to move elsewhere.
When contacted John Clarkson Hodgson, director of Clarkson Properties, which owns the site, said he did not want to comment.
