Candys to fight former employee in court

Candy & Candy will be fighting a claim filed against them by former development director Andrew Locke, it has emerged.

Locke, who headed up the management team of the £1bn Chelsea Barracks development, claims his contract was unlawfully terminated by the firm last year.

He previously worked for property company Hammerson, and was recruited by Candy & Candy in June 2007 as development director for the 13.8-acre site.

But in September 2008, Locke was sacked without the six months notice agreed in the contract. He has still not received his £160,000 bonus, a writ filed at the High Court claims, and he is demanding this plus interest.

Locke's lawyers, Taylor Vintners declined to comment but said Candy & Candy had confirmed they would be defending the case.

A spokesperson for Candy & Candy said: “Andrew Locke was a senior member of staff at Candy & Candy who was paid very handsomely. His employment within the company was terminated for good reason after only 11 months in the job.

“We paid him everything that we believe he was entitled to and all of the claims made by him in this legal action are refuted by Candy & Candy. If he insists on taking this to Court then we will defend our position robustly.”