A fashion PR firm has refused to share its Islington office building with a charity that helps women ex-offenders get into work, City A.M. understands.

Lee Publicity – a home and fashion PR company – reportedly took exception to charity Working Chance running workshops for ex-offenders in its building.

Working Chance runs workshops to help women write CVs and to teach them interview skills.

According to sources, Currell estate agents informed the charity "the fashion people on the first floor have said they would not be happy with workshops being held there". The estate agent said the deal "would have been fine if just office".

Currell said its client wanted to end discussions with the charity because they did not want to lose the Lee Publicity as a tenant. In emails seen by City A.M., the estate agent said the landlord was "not comfortable" with the charity as an occupier and "did not want to lose his current fashion tenant."

Working Chance has secured jobs for 700 ex-offenders since 2007 – and none of the women who have received a job through Working Chance have reoffended. The charity also works to change the attitudes of employers and society towards women ex-offenders.

Lee Publicity was approached for comment.