John King, chief executive of the House of Fraser, said John Lewis "should come to Belfast instead of Lisburn".

BBC: John Lewis row hits Belfast City Hall

In 1985, the Egyptian Al-Fayed brothers won control of the House of Fraser in London and thus gained control of the department store Harrods.

CNN: Wednesday,

The application seeking leave to have a judicial review has been lodged by the House of Fraser (stores) Limited, Corbo Properties Limited and Leaside Investments Limited in respect of John Lewis Sprucefield.

BBC: John Lewis opponents in court to seek judicial review