Safestyle files legal claim against competitor Safeglaze

AIM-listed double glazing group Safestyle said on Monday that it is seeking damages and injunctive relief against competitor Safeglaze UK - whose most recent TV ad was fronted by Eastenders legend Pam St Clement - and a number of named individuals.

"The claim asks the Court to determine whether Safestyle is entitled to injunctive relief and damages from what the group considers to be passing off, the misuse of confidential information, unlawful means conspiracy and malicious falsehood," it said. Safestyle is also applying for urgent interim relief, pending the trial of this matter.

The Bradford-based company, which scrapped its dividend and issued another profit warning in April, said it had "invested heavily in building its leading market position over many years".

"The group welcomes healthy competition in the market, but is committed to protecting its brand, its reputation, and its staff."

Safestyle also issued profit warnings in December and February, and was slapped with an £850,000 fine from the Health & Safety Executive in April.

It said back in February that it had been hit by the activities of an "aggressive new market entrant", which had exacerbated an already difficult market. It did not give a name for the new entrant, but said in April that since then, the activities of the competitor had intensified and that it had taken longer to rebuild the order intake to the rate previously expected.

At 1550 BST, the shares were up 0.4% to 61.50p.