Al-Ummah Halal Poultry of Barnsley has agreed to pay £18,000 in costs and damages to Bakers Basco, after using its bakery equipment without permission.
This brings the total paid by Al-Ummah to £65,000 as it has already paid £47,522.53 in damages and costs for the same issue.
It is currently subject to an indefinite restraining injunction to prevent it converting Bakers Basco equipment for its own uses, which was issued on 17 May 2017.
The latest agreement was the result of a mediation meeting between the Al-Ummah and Bakers Basco management, as well as both parties’ legal teams and an independent mediator.
Four million bread baskets
Bakers Basco manages and licenses four million bread baskets and associated wheeled dollies for the use of bakers. Currently, around 25 bakeries, ranging from small to very large, pay a licence fee to use the equipment.
Al-Ummah also agreed to provide Bakers Basco with a copy of its customer database, a copy of a letter sent to all employees informing them of the May 2017 injunction, and warning of disciplinary proceedings if they knowingly allowed this to to be breached.
It has also provided evidence showing that signs have been installed informing them that Bakers Basco equipment must not be used.
Continued to take without permission
Steve Millward, general manager at Bakers Basco, said he did not understand why companies continued to take its equipment without permission.
“In this case, the defendants have been caught red-handed on multiple occasions – yet here we are again, having to pursue legal action to protect our property and get some kind of compensation.
“If someone took your car without permission and drove around in it, you’d call the police. Why should it be any different when people use our equipment without permission?” said Millward.
“Our baskets and dollies are designed for one sole purpose – to allow the bakeries that are members of our scheme to transport bread safely, cost-effectively and in an environmentally-friendly way.”