A bitter legal battle between two Birmingham businessman over a strip of land outside the city centre lap dancing club they once made a handsome living from has been reignited.

The dispute between Lawrence Reddy and Allan Sartori over a piece of pavement outside the Rocket Club in Broad Street originally ended up being decided in the Chancery Division of the High Court in Birmingham in July last year.

Lord Justice Kitchin ruled Mr Sartori was the rightful owner of the land and as such was entitled to a rental income of around £1,000 a week from a fast food facility based on the site.

But now Balevents, the company which owns the Rocket Club and which took the High Court action against Mr Sartori, has been given permission to appeal against the judgement and take the case to the Court of Appeal.

In an order issued by the Court of Appeal Rt Hon Lord Justice Lloyd said: “As to the substance of the appeal it seems to me there are reasonable prospects of success.”

Balevents’ legal representatives said as well as being given permission to appeal, the Court of Appeal has also “stayed the operation” of Lord Justice Kitchin’s order following the original judgement - both in relation to the handing over of possession and the ring fencing of the rental income - meaning Balevents remains in possession of the land pending the outcome of the appeal.

Also that Mr Sartori has also been ordered to pay the rental income he has received to his solicitors and he will not be allowed to collect further rent until the appeal is decided.

Mr Sartori successfully claimed ownership of the land in 2009 but Balevents Ltd, which is owned by Mr Reddy’s family, claimed the prized piece of pavement belonged to the club rather than its former general manager.

The legal battle played out in the High Court followed a falling out between Mr Sartori and Mr Reddy, who were involved in the club together until the company which ran it under licence, Broad Street Entertainments, was wound up in 2010.

Mr Sartori bowed out of the business while Mr Reddy continued running the club.

Mr Sartori’s claim to the land was based on the fact he said his father Bernard sold sandwiches there from a kiosk as far back as the 1970s.

He in turn carried on the business from the 1980s, running it in tandem with the nearby Rep Cafe Bar.

He said his father initially laid claim to the land by erecting a small picket fence and it was in the Ronnie Scott’s era that he turned it into more of a feature with higher fencing and lighting.