Scientific firm is told to go in dispute over rent

'IT WILL DESTROY MY COMPANY,' SAYS BOSS

- WILLIAM TELFORD

A WORLD-leading Plymouth company could end up being “destroyed” after being evicted from its home after 27 years.

Knight Scientific has been told by landlord Wolseley Community Economic Development Trust it has to leave its Plymouth lab in a dispute over rent.

The company admits it fell into arrears during the Covid pandemic but claims a proposal which would have seen a debt of just over £12,000 repaid over time was not accepted.

Company boss Dr Jan Knight said: “It’s spite.”

The Wolseley Trust, however, said the debt was “significant” and it was left with no other choice than to take possession of the unit on Wolseley Business Park, Ford. Its chief executive said negotiations had take place and the eviction was the last resort.

Dr Knight, director of Knight Scientific Ltd, said she has been given until July 3 to remove a huge amount of samples, documents and scientific equipment, including freezers and chemical stores, which will be difficult, time-consuming and expensive.

She is looking for another base but it is difficult to find anywhere. It could mean the business she has built up over 34 years being “destroyed” and puts in jeopardy a joint venture which is about to work on two new products.