The husband of the the sole director of the Old School arts venue in Hadleigh has been given the right to take control of the business.

Matthew Hodges, 50, was given the legal status to become a person with 'significant influence' over Stardust Hadleigh, which is the parent company part-owned by Ian Grutchfield, running Old School.

In the form lodged in April, 2021 Mr Hodges was described as: 'The person has the right to exercise, or actually exercises, significant influence or control over the company'.

The form was authorised by Mr Grutchfield, 53, as the director, and only named officer of the business. He admitted he had been struggling with mental health issues and had made errors when filling out forms to file for Companies House, which an advisor has suggested he correct.

Mr Hodges was given the opportunity by Hadleigh Nub News to respond, but declined to comment.

Mr Grutchfield has been carrying out community service work after last month admitting using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour with intent to cause fear of, or provoke, unlawful violence, against Eleanor Ward, the daughter of Babergh leader Jon Ward, in December last year.

He was ordered to pay Eleanor Ward £500 compensations, and given a 12 month Community Order of 200 hours unpaid work. Magistrates imposed a restraining order banning him from any sort of contact with Eleanor Ward, or to go near the Wards' house.

Mr Grutchfield and Mr Hodges each own one of the two shares. Despite having the the ownership of voting rights, and having the right to appoint new directors, he would defer to Mr Hodges who effectively controls the company, according to the latest certificate.

Stardust Hadleigh is an private limited company which was incorporated in May 2020.

It's nature of business is described as being:

Cultural Education

Artistic creation