Bar's battle to continue in court

JONATHAN CAMERON/The Manawatu Standard

MEDIATING: Police officers talk to Bar Mode owner Tane McLeay, sitting centre, outside the Palmerston North music venue. Landlord Craig Dunlop is second from right, watching on.

Bar Mode owner Tane McLeay is now without a premises and the battle with his former landlord is set to return to court.

Mr McLeay handed over the keys of the prominent Palmerston North music venue to Manawatu Development Company about 5pm yesterday, but he indicated the fight would go on.

Bar Mode's lease at the corner of Coleman Mall and George St expired yesterday, ending Mr McLeay's turbulent two-and-a-half year tenure.

However, property that Manawatu Development Company director Craig Dunlop considered to be structural and therefore part of the building remained in dispute yesterday, as Mr McLeay tried to remove items he said he owned.

Police were at the site for several hours yesterday, to make sure there was no violence.

Lawyers agreed on the items that could be initially removed.

Mr McLeay told the Manawatu Standard he would lodge a claim for loss of equipment and income relating to the landlord's failed attempt to cancel his lease in February.

The property was returned to him in an unsatisfactory state, following a court ruling in his favour, he claimed.

Sergeant Jeff Veale said police played a mediation role yesterday. The day was "emotionally charged", but there was "nothing aggressive".

Insurance assessors for the landlord were also at the site.

Mr Dunlop declined to comment.

Bar Mode was beset by problems for the past two years, including the loss of sound gear, cancelled gigs and suspension of its liquor licence.

Mr McLeay, who broke his foot when he fell on the partly-dismantled stage at the former music venue, planned to return to teaching music.

He also hoped to find another venue to run events.