Barry Gamble (The London Vines Ltd) made indefinitely bankrupt

 Barry Michael Gamble – bankruptcy report

As 2016 draws to a close I am sure that Barry Gamble's many friends and fervent admirers, who may include Emma and Katie, will appreciate an update, especially as the liquidator's latest report to 30.10.16 is available here.

Although Gamble was made bankrupt at Croydon County Court on 8th December 2015, his bankruptcy wasn't confirmed until 2nd June 2016 as Gamble appealed to the court claiming that the bankruptcy order should not have been made. Fortunately Gamble's delaying tactics failed – the order arose from the misfeasance action brought by solicitors acting for the liquidator of The London Vines Ltd. In the latter half of 2015 Gamble was fined by default £741,647.45. 

The UK bankruptcy register shows that Gamble's bankruptcy, which would normally have ended on 8th December 2016, has been extended indefinitely – 'Order suspending bankrupt’s discharge under Section 279(3) of the Insolvency Act 1986 until the fulfillment of conditions as specified in the Order made by the Court and effective from 29 November 2016'. I will report on these conditions if and when I have the details.

Given the successful misfeasance claim – taking money out of The London Vines Ltd without proper justification – Gamble should have been banned as a UK director. That this wasn't pursued may well be down to Government cuts in The Insolvency Service. Anyway Gamble's continued bankruptcy precludes him from being a UK director.  

There is potential further bad news for the Gamble household. Amanda Gamble, Barry's wife, may well also be made bankrupt early in 2017 as reported in the Liquidator's report from 31st October 2015 to 30th October 2016. 'A Statutory Demand was personally served on Mrs Gamble on 22nd October 2016 and accordingly, Mrs Gamble has until 09 November 2016 to apply to the Court to have the Demand set aside and we will be able to present a Bankruptcy Petition from 14 November 2016.' It seems that Amanda Gamble is yet to be made bankrupt as her name does not yet appear on the bankruptcy register.  

According to the liquidator's latest report: 'Barry Gamble claimed that all of the net sale proceeds from the property at 6 Rowan Close (Banstead) were paid to his wife Amanda Gamble'.   

Sadly I suspect that few will be surprised to learn that it is very unlikely that any of the clients and investors with The London Vines Ltd will get any of the £1.63 million claimed to be owing. 
      

Gamble made an appearance here in the Mirror back in February 2016. 

Barry Gamble's libel case

In December 2014 Barry Gamble decided to sue me in the High Court for libel and slander. Essentially, despite the misfeasance judgment, Gamble claimed to be an honest businessman. 

Gamble based much of his case and claim on a company called ESW Exports (UK) Ltd, which supposedly had experience and expertise in exporting English sparkling wine. Central to Gamble's legal claim was that he had personally lost a contract with a Toronto based Canadian wine importer worth £80,000.

This contract, of course, was pure fantasy and the whole case an abuse of legal process. There never was a contract with the Canadian importer. It took Gamble some nine months to come up with the name of the importer who, when I contacted him in November 2015, told me:  

'I took the time to go through my records to determine whether I had any contact with Mr. Gamble as his name and company did not ring a bell.  I deal with dozens of suppliers every year and many of our contacts do not result in any business. I did find some e-mail correspondence with him in 2013 where I informed him of some upcoming opportunities for sparkling wines with our monopoly, the LCBO. He sent me information about one Italian sparkling wine which was priced outrageously with no hope of ever being purchased. I reached out to him again a few months later regarding another opportunity and he did not respond so I closed my file. I have never heard from him since.'

Gamble was not a director or shareholder of ESW Exports (UK) Ltd – he never explained why he would have personally benefitted from the fantasy £80,000 contract. ESW Exports (UK) Ltd was established on 16th August 2012. It was struck off on 21st October 2014 for non-compliance – no annual returns of accounts were filed.  

In 2012 Gamble did make contact with a number of English sparkling wine producers. One of them – Sam Lindo of the excellent Camel Valley  – was not impressed:

'I have only come across these guys from them enquiring about exporting our wine.  They sound like a bunch of nutters. I told them their website made them look like a con, it showed a total lack of knowledge of our industry, in particular how small it is. The chap missed the joke I made about only using Western Union money transfers.

Some of these people can be genuine, we make everyone pay up front for the first 2 orders and this stops any chancers.' 
 

Good to go: 

On 9th August 2012 Gamble emailed a number of English sparkling wine producers claiming to have 'importers/agents in the major citys (sic) in China and India' and that 'Myself and my newly formed export company ESW Exports Ltd are taking English sparkling wine to the other side of the planet'.

'Hi Guys,

 

As your more than likely aware, English sparkling wine has a reputation rarely surpassed.  In fact so popular is the wine of our fair land that overseas they cant get enough actually they cant get any, Myself and my newly formed export company ESW Exports LTD are taking English sparkling wine to the other side of the planet..

 

With a handful of importers/agents in the major citys in China and India good to go all we need is the wine..

 

So I write this email in hope that we can spread the word with gusto, we would look to purchase at least 100 cases of sparkling wine in various forms from as many vineyards as possible, of course if the wines are award winning in some way then all the better..

 

All monies for your wines will of course be paid up front and we would look to build from there..

 

Feel free to get in contact with myself on the number below or reply to this email at your earliest convenience..

 

Many Thanks

Barry Gamble'

Gamble's claim of 'importers/agents' in China and India is also likely to have been a complete fantasy. Interestingly no mention here of a Canadian importer....

Shortly before Gamble was made bankrupt at Croydon Court, he made an offer of settlement, which included a demand for £3000 to cover his legal costs. Gamble never received a penny. Once a liquidator was appointed in respect of Gamble's personal bankruptcy, they discontinued the legal action since bankrupt Gamble was not in a position to pursue this case.   

  

 

 

  

The London Vines Ltd: the Liquidator's second report – deficit claims total £1.6 million

 

Screen shots from The London Wines Ltd website

The second report (1st November 2014 to 31st October 2015) from Findlay James, the liquidator of The London Vines, is now available. Although surprisingly poorly punctuated, it makes very interesting reading it makes unless you happen to be one of the unfortunate creditors, who may be left with nothing.

Of particular interest is section 3:
'ASSET REALISATIONS Misfeasance Claim
At the time of the last report, the liquidator had made an application to court for a charging order in the sum of £741,647.45*: An application was made to court for a charging order to be placed against the matrimonial property of both Barry and Amanda Gamble however the courts failed to apply the order prior to the Gambles selling the property. A judgment in default was made against Amanda Gamble in the sum of £179,236.61.

Further investigations into Barry Gamble's affairs showed that he owned an investment apartment in London. Ann application to court was obtained for a charging order in respect of the property. A charging order was duly obtained. 

The Liquidator presented a bankruptcy petition against Barry Gamble however Mr Gamble made a number of attempts to set aside the petition. Unfortunately a Bankruptcy Order has not yet be made against Mr Gamble.** A process server attended Mr Gamble's residential address on 04 September 2015 with a view to personally serving a copy of the sealed Petition together with the Order of Judge Bishop, which adjourned the Petition hearing to 13 October 2015. The process server was unable to effect personal service and produced a Statement of Non-Service.

In the light of the above, we instructed an agent to attend the hearing of 13th October 2015 to obtain a further adjournment which would allow us time to make an application to the court for a substituted service of the Petition. However the District Judge was content to make an Order for substituted service at the hearing and ordered that service of the sealed Petition together with a sealed copy of his Order by first class pre-paid post would be deemed good and sufficient service on the seventh day after posting. Accordingly, on 16 October 2015, a sealed copy of the Petition was duly posted to Mr Gamble and will have been deemed to be served 27 October 2015. The Bankruptcy hearing return date is listed for 08 December 2015 at 11.30 and a Bankruptcy Order will be sought at the return hearing.** 

A settlement was reached last year with Robert and Sylwia Phillips whereby it was agreed that £90,000 would be paid by 19 January 2015. It was intended that they would release funds by way of a re-mortgage of the matrimonial property. The due date passed and the funds were not paid. Further negotiations ensued and it was agreed that the Liquidator would accept £71,000 in full settlement of all claims against both Robert & Sylwia Phillips. Funds were received on 29 January 2015. The reason that the Liquidator accepted the figure was that these funds were being raised by family assistance and that if we did not accept; it was likely that Robert Phillips would present his own bankruptcy petition as he was unable to raise funds on his property.'

Other aspects of the second report: 

No preferential creditor claims as 'There were no known formal employees of the company'.

The Company banked with Lloyds Bank PlC. 'The bank account was closed with a credit balance and as such the bank isn't a creditor.'

'Trade and Expense Creditors

The director's estimated statement of affairs at the outset of the liquidation provided the level of unsecured trade and expense creditor claims to be £458,580.38. This figure is comprised mainly of customers who had contacted Findlay James as they heard through third parties that the company was in financial difficulties and had contacted Private Reserves/Octavian in order to establish whether wine which they believed that they owned was actually being held by them. £458,580.38 was the quantum of the claims submitted prior to our appointment as Liquidator.

Following our appointment it became apparent that there would be many customers who did not know that the company was in liquidation. Due to the fact that there were no electronic customer records, all of the contact details from paper invoices and correspondence were logged onto our systems. Notices were sent to all known customers of the London Vines. The sending of this notice generated a large volume of written and telephone enquiries from worried customers who were asked to contact Private Reserves in the first instance to establish whether their wine portfolios were stored with them. At the date covered Findlay James had received claims of £1,636,441.73 from trade and expense creditors, the majority of which are The London Vines Limited Customers.'

Bad news for creditors:
'6. Dividend Prospects

Based on present information, it is unlikely that there will be sufficient funds available to enable me to declare a dividend to any class of creditor in this matter. The position may change once a bankruptcy order (**) is made against Mr Barry Gamble. A Trustee will investigate what happened to the funds from the sale of the matrimonial property. It will also be considered following the outcome of Barry Gamble's bankruptcy if it is also worthwhile presenting bankruptcy proceedings against Amanda Gamble.'         

8. Conclusion of the Liquidation
The Liquidation cannot yet be brought to a close until matters against the Directors and shareholders have been finalised. As explained in the report we are still waiting to bankrupt Mr Barry Gamble and ascertain whether he has any assets which can be personally recovered from him. If there is success in recovering funds from him, the Liquidator will consider whether there is scope to issue bankruptcy proceeding against Amanda Gamble too.' 

* In his first report (17th December 2014) the Liquidator reported that they had obtained a default judgment against Barry Gamble for £741,647.45.

**  This has now happened. At a hearing on 8th December 2015 at Croydon Court, Barry Gamble was made personally bankrupt.  

Report on Barry Gamble's personal bankruptcy here. 

Unfortunately as usual the only people who appear to have made money out of the liquidation of The London Vines Ltd are the liquidators and the lawyers. Clearly liquidators and lawyers have to be paid for their work but it does seem wrong that the creditors are likely end up with nothing.  

Barry Gamble declared bankrupt – Croydon Court Tuesday 8th December 2015

Above: Tuesday 8th December 2015 Court listing at Croydon County Court and the Family Court for five-minute hearing of a creditor's petition against Barry Gamble at 11.30 am.

Discharge suspended – an error

 Automatic discharge: 08 December 2016

The result: Barry Michael Gamble of Tadworth (last known address) declared bankrupt with his discharge suspended.  

Although not confirmed Barry Gamble's bankruptcy is a result of the successful Misfeasance Claim brought by solicitors acting for Findlay James, the liquidator of The London Vines Ltd, a failed wine investment company. Barry Gamble was the sole director of The London Vines Ltd (appointed 26.1.2010 – resigned 9.4.2013) for much of its life. Alisdair Findlay of Findlay James was appointed on liquidator of The London Vines Ltd on 31st October 2013. 

In the first Liquidator's report (17.12.2014) Findlay reported that:

'Following an analysis of the company bank statements  for the period 1 February to the date of liquidation it was discovered that large sums of money had been paid to the shareholders and relatives of shareholders for which there were no records to substantiate the payments. Despite writing to each of the individuals involved, none were able to provide satisfactory responses and as such I instructed solicitors to commence recovery proceedings. A claim was drafted against Barry Michael Gamble, Robert Scott Phillips, Amanda Sarah Gamble, Sylwia Phillips, and David Phillips. An offer of £27,000 was made and accepted in respect of the claim against David Philiips in the sum of £33,776.'

'A judgement in default was obtained against Barry Gamble in the sum of £741,647.45.'

Interestingly on 3rd June 2015 Gamble described the liquidation of The London Vines and the Misfeasance Claim as fraudulent: 'regarding the fraudulent insolvency of The London Vines and subsequent fraudulent and false claim'.

Gamble put this view to the test on 17th September in Birmingham seeking to  to have the default judgment overturned. He failed, so English Law confirmed the Misfeasance in the running of the company – in common parlance the 'removal of large sums of money' from The London Vines Ltd by its directors and shareholders with 'no records to substantiate the payments' and with no satisfactory explanations indicates that this was a scam. Now this has led to Barry Michael Gamble's bankruptcy (8th December 2015). 

The Liquidator's December 2014 report also stated that: 'We are still awaiting confirmation from the Court of Judgment in default against Amanda Gamble in the sum of £179,263.61.' It is not known what the current status of this potential judgment against Amanda Gamble is. The Liquidator's second report due by the end of this year may shed more light. 

I understand from Barry Gamble that he is appealing against the default judgment.       

 

  

Barry Gamble (ex-director of The London Vines Ltd) declared personally bankrupt

The Marshalsea – famous as a debtor's prison (London)

Yesterday (17th September 2015) Barry Gamble (ex-director of 'wine investment' company The London Vines Ltd failed in his attempt to get the default judgment for £741,647.45 handed down by the Birmingham High Court in late 2014. The judgment related to action brought on behalf of the liquidator of The London Vines Ltd against Gamble and the company's other director and the shareholders for trousering money from the company without justification. Enriching themselves at the expense of the unfortunate investors. 

I assume that Barry Gamble's attempt to have the default judgment overturned was in response to the liquidator move to make him personally bankrupt in order to recoup the £741,647.45 sum from judgment in default. Clearly Gamble failed to convince the Birmingham Court and the bankruptcy order was passed.

Hopefully this will be good news for the creditors as now that Barry Gamble has been made bankrupt he is obliged to answer questions posed by the Insolvency Service. Hopefully the Insolvency Service will be able to ascertain what happened to the money when the Gambles sold 6 Rowan Close, Banstead on 16th September 2014 for £631,000.    

investdrinks understands that the Gambles are currently living in a large 5 bedroomed house in Highview Close, Tadworth, Surrey. 

Update: 12th December 2015

Although the above information was from a very reliable source, it became apparent that while Gamble had lost his attempt to overturn the default judgment against him, he wasn't made personally bankrupt on 17th September 2015. Therefore I removed this post.

Barry Michael Gamble was made personally bankrupt on Tuesday 8th December 2015 at a brief hearing at Croydon Court. Please see: http://investdrinks-blog.blogspot.co.uk/2015/12/barry-gamble-declared-bankrupt-croydon.html   

Barry Gamble (The London Vines Ltd): judgment in default – £741,647.45

The London Vines Ltd 

Today I received a copy of the liquidator's progress report on the first 12 months of the liquidation of The London Vines Ltd, a 'wine investment' company, where the shareholders did rather better than their clients. The report was prepared by Alisdair Finlay, the liquidator and covers 31st October 2013 to 30th October 2014.   

It certainly made interesting reading.

The headline story is that Barry Michael Gamble has been hit with a judgment in default to pay £741,647.45 related to the misfeasance claim brought by the liquidator. The judgment was given in the Birmingham District Registry. Barry Gamble was the sole director of The London Vines Ltd from 26th January 2010 to 9th April 2013.

Further details here:

'Settlement re Misfeasance Claim

Following analysis of the company bank statements for the period 1 February 2012 to the date of liquidation it was discovered that large sums of money had been paid to the shareholders and relatives of shareholders for which there were no records to substantiate the payments. Despite writing to each of the shareholders involved, none were able to provide satisfactory responses and as such I instructed solicitors to commence recovery proceedings. A claim was drafted against Barry Michael Gamble, Robert Scott Phillips, Amanda Sarah Gamble, Sylwia Phillips and David Phillips. A offer of £27,000 was made and accepted in respect of the claim against David Phillips in the sum of £33,776.

A settlement has been reached with Robert Phillips and Sylwia Phillips that a payment of £90,000 will be made by 16.00hrs on 19 January 2015. This settlement has been agreed based upon the available equity in the matrimonial property. This settlement is in respect of claims mad against Robert Phillips in the sum of £152,802 and Sylwia Phillips in the sum of £123,294. 

Barristers were instructed to give advice on the merits of obtaining an injunction against the assets of Barry Gamble. Searches on property websites showed that the matrimonial home was on the market for sale. Unfortunately no application for an injunction was made as Counsel weren't confident of success and an unsuccessful application could have resulted in a costs order against the liquidator for which he could have become personally liable.*

A judgment in default was obtained against Barry Gamble in the sum of £741,647.45. An application has been made to court to apply for a charging order against property held in the defendant names. We are still awaiting confirmation from the Court of Judgment in default against Amanda Gamble in the sum of £179,263.61. 

According to the progress report – 'It is possible that bankruptcy proceedings will be issued against Barry Gamble and Amanda Gamble.' 

Directors Loan Account 

Robert Phillips has agreed by way of consent to repay a Directors loan of £35,926 over a period of 71 months payable by 71 monthly instalments of £500 and one final instalment and one final instalment of £426. As at the date covered by this report £1200 had been collected.'   

Robert Phillips, who was appointed sole director of The London Vines Ltd on 9th April 2013, reported that: 'In addition due to a dispute between shareholders, the Director, Robert Phillips claimed that he was unable to access any of the client information from the computers held at the trading premises as the passwords had been changed by Barry Gamble.' 

--> *: Barry and Amanda Gamble's house at 6 Rowan Close, Banstead was sold on 16th September 2014 for £631,000. The house had been bought for £470,000 on 16th June 2009.             

Morgan Taylor Ltd: start-up company offering over-priced wines – now restructuring

'HELPING YOU REACH YOUR FINANCIAL OBJECTIVES'

I have been contacted by AJ, an unfortunate client of the now bankrupt The London Vines Ltd scam. AJ has been cold called Morgan Taylor Ltd. This is a recently created company formed on 21st January 2014. It has two directors: 25-year-old Oguz Aksehir and 26-year-old Muhammed Ali Zorlu and operates from The Chislehurst Business Centre, 1 Bromley Lane, Bromley, Kent BR7 6LH. The company's share capital is £2.   

'Established merchants of fine wine and investment options'  

Morgan Taylor established 21.1.2014

'At Morgan Taylor, we pride ourselves on providing 

everything you need to make an informed choice 

about where and how to invest in wine.

'Our team of London based advisors will provide 

all the information you need about the current wine market, 

helping you to select the finest wines available for the best returns.' 

Utter rubbish from the Morgan Taylor website:

'At Morgan Taylor we work with you to help find the best solutions for your circumstances. We listen closely to your needs and objectives in order to find out exactly what 'you' the client need. We then take the time to find the relevant product to help fulfil that need.'

AJ was contacted by a Stephen Bell and Joseph Salmon (almost certainly not their real names – 'personas' are regularly used by telesales staff working for this type of company). Bell offered to exchange the wines AJ did receive from The London Vines Ltd – like so many AJ didn't receive all of them – with the following selection of Lafite-Rothschild and Mouton-Rothschild. Totalling £64,400 in all.   

Offer from Morgan Taylor Ltd contained in document called 
wine reservation form 
- 'and look forward to a long and fruitful relationship'!! 

  

A little research on wine-searcher on UK merchants shows that the 2003 Lafite can today be purchased for from £6350 (£10,200 from Morgan Taylor Ltd), the 2008 for £5150 (£8100 MT Ltd), 2010 Lafite for £6450 (£10,050 from MT Ltd) and the 2009 Mouton-Rothschild for from £4900 (£7900 from MT Ltd). Instead of paying Morgan Taylor Ltd £64,400, this five case portfolio could have been bought for £40,550 – a saving of £23850 or 37% less than the total charged by Morgan Taylor Ltd. Fortunately AJ said thanks but no thanks to this Chislehurst-based wallet thinning operation.  

Back in April 2014 AJ was told by 'Joseph Salmon' that these wines selected by Morgan Taylor Ltd “should show a 30% return over the next 24 months”. So AJ could have expected to have seen his wine portfolio supplied by Morgan Taylor's  'team of London based advisors' worth £83,720 by April 2016. To date a check on wine-searcher shows that far from increasing in value the AJ's Morgan Taylor portfolio could be be purchased (6.1.2015) for £38790 – £1760 less than in April 2014.  

I can certainly see Morgan Taylor Ltd reaching their financial objectives but it is considerably less clear how their putative clients will benefit – . 

Muhammed Ali Zorlu is also the sole director of the intriguingly named Berkshire Hetherington Ltd with £1 of share capital. I would be most grateful for any information about Berkshire Hetherington Ltd founded on 29th April 2013. It current address is 72 Hammersmith Road, Crown House, London W14 8TH – a well-known accommodation address as was the previous one – 145-157 St John Street, London EC1V 4PW.

5.1.2015: Berkshire Hetherington Ltd is now at 5 Harbour Exchange Square, South Quay, Canary Wharf, London E14 9GE.  
  
Yet another company I would avoid due to lack of a track record, claiming to be established merchants when recently formed and offering over-priced wines as an investment while claiming 'to select the finest wines available for the best returns'. 

Update: 7.12.2014
Muhammed Ali Zorlu has informed me that of 1st December 2014 Morgan Taylor Ltd has ceased to cold call and restructured its business. He sent me their current price list that shows that their prices are more in-line with the best prices on wine-searcher, although they are not the most competitive. The 10 wines listed would cost a total of £67,413 if purchased through Morgan Taylor Ltd against £64,620 by shopping around on wine-searcher. Ali Zorlu also tells me that his company purchased the leads from a leads company and that they weren't passed on from The London Vines Ltd. 

Reports (8.12.2014) of UK nuisance callers and lead generators facing a crackdown.

 
 

White Knights - a renewed warning

Investors in the failed wine investment company, The London Vines Ltd, continue to be approached by White Knights offering to assist. A recent example is Elliott House Collections Ltd (Company number: 08352626) offering to exchange investors wine for art. Doubtless these exchange offers are kindly meant but I would certainly decline them. 

Elliott House Collections Ltd was set up on the 9th january 2013. Its registered and trading address is 68 King William Street, London EC4N 7DZ – a well known accommodation address. The company's sole director is is 26 year old Harry James Downer. 

Other companies offering assistance include One Vine Day, Vine Capital and Woolf Sung. If I was an investor with The London Vines Ltd I would decline their offers and propositions as well.   

•••

Barry Gamble

The many friends of Mr Gamble will no doubt be delighted to learn that he has apparently added recently a large extension to his house. It is also rumoured that he may be facing personal bankruptcy. Apparently the house in the joint names of Gamble and his wife.    

Gamble was a director of The London Vines Ltd from 26 January 2010 to 9th April 2013. The company went into liquidation on 12th November 2013. A number of investors have been unable to locate their wine.

The London Vines in liquidation: creditors' meeting tomorrow

The London Vines – Defined by Integrity!

The London Vines Ltd is now in liquidation and a creditors' meeting is to be held tomorrow at 11.30am at the offices of Findlay James, Saxon House, Saxon Way, Cheltenham GL52 6QX. Telephone: 01242 576555

Fax: 01242 576 999. Email: info@finjam.com

Over the past few months I have received a considerable number of messages from concerned clients of The London Vines Ltd, who have invested considerable sums of money in wine that they have been unable to trace. A number have been persuaded by high pressure sales techniques to invest a significant proportion of their life savings in wine, which may not have been bought by the company. I trust that Findlay James, if appointed as liquidators, will do a professional job and establish how much wine was bought. Then, if not all the wine ordered was bought, whether the directors (Robert Phillips and Barry Gamble) trousered some of the money or whether it was pocketed by someone else.

Update 31st October 2013: Liam Andrews offers 'THE TRUTH'

 

From: liam andrews

To: budmac@btinternet.com
Sent: Thursday, 31 October 2013, 20:22
Subject: THE TRUTH

Dear Mr Budd 

Interesting meeting today, here are a few facts and responses to comments on your blog regarding The London Vines

A quote from your blog  "Robert Definitely did not see any of this coming", Please explain the Facts I have found out below.

Phillips sacked all the workers and changed the locks of the office in June and has not been seen or heard from at the London Vines since, in fact he is in Poland (well and rich) see attached photo, the facts are simple, very simple, at least 5 workers were fired with a text that said "you are suspended on full pay until further notice" of course they were not paid, Gamble ended up selling items that he owned and giving some of the money to those 5 so they could pay there rent and bills (all documented)

Gamble offered to buy Phillips out months ago but was declined and told by Phillips (quote) "what else I will do" Phillips knew from 2012 that Mr Gamble was leaving, (all witnessed)

Once he became director he failed to turn up to work some days, while staff would still turn up and stand outside waiting for the director to decide whether or not he was getting out of bed that day.

After Phillips had scarpered Gamble still tried to get accounts opened for clients, 6 letters had been sent at least urging clients to open accounts that had not done so, after being called everything under the sun by Goedhuis, Gamble still tried to get some wines allocated to at least 2 clients, with the locks changed it was almost impossible to remember exactly who and what was bought, i know £4.2 million worth of wine was bought under Gambles tenure and at least 200k worth was paid and yet to land (all documented)

There is outstanding orders, there was a plan in place to pull TLV round within a 12 month period, all written step by step and given to Phillips by Gamble, it was used as a coaster by Phillips for months before he disappeared and a letter was sent out to clients.

As Phillips changed the locks and/or refused any entry to TLV before he disappeared it was impossible to sort out.

Gamble admits mistakes were made but it was easily within reach to pull it back from the brink, there are wines that can be allocated and if access can be gained there is an excel spreadsheet of every client and every transaction, whether the wines are bought or not, its all on that database at 13 Holywell.

I doubt all transactions can be saved which is poor practice by them both but i think you need to research a bit more Mr Budd rather than hoping whatever you throw at the wall sticks.

 

Dear Liam

Thank you for your email.

Robert Philipps was a director of The London Vines from 9th April. Barry Gamble from 26.4.2010 to 9.4.2013.

'Gamble offered to buy Phillips out months ago but was declined and told by Phillips (quote) "what else I will do" Phillips knew from 2012 that Mr Gamble was leaving, (all witnessed)'

If Gamble was as concerned by events as you suggest why did he resign as the sole director. I have details of wine ordered by a client in 2011 and 2012, which are not in their possession. During this time Gamble was the sole director.
' i know £4.2 million worth of wine was bought under Gambles tenure and at least 200k worth was paid and yet to land (all documented)'. What was the total amount ordered and why are there a number of investors who have not received their wine?

Regards

Jim 

 

Curiously my reply email to Liam generated an error message: 'Sorry, we were unable to deliver your message to the following address.' 

 

      

                                             

                                                   

                                                   

The London Vines Ltd – action group + some diamond geezers

Some investors in The London Vines Ltd, which appears to have ceased trading and has disappeared, are looking to form an action group. Any clients of The London Vines Ltd, who would be interested in joining such a group, should email me on budmac@btinternet.com and I will put you in touch with the organisers.

I'm pleased to report that the action group is growing steadily.

***

I understand that at least one client of The London Vines Ltd has been cold called by a company called Johnston & Carter Ltd (website registered: 24th January 2013), who offered to buy their wines. Perhaps they would be offered the opportunity to buy coloured diamonds as Johnston & Carter 'is based in the City of London, our speciality is dealing with diamond trades offering our clients a professional and unique service'. Furthermore 'Combining experience, foresight and strategic intelligence of movement in the market here at Johnston & Carter we pride ourselves with speciality in dealing with diamond trades,' – pretty good for a company that was set up on 26th November 2012 under the name Far East Elements Ltd. The company became Johnston & Carter Ltd on 12th February 2013.

During its less than ten month life Johnston & Carter Ltd has had three directors. Firstly 25-year-old Pablo Vega (26th November 2012 - 4th March 2013), then 20-year-old Frank Sullivan (5th March 2013 - 15th July 2013) followed by 43-year-old Bradley Wright (15th July to the present). All I'm sure diamond geezers.

Johnston & Carter's registered office is 45 King William Street, London EC4R 9AN – a serviced office complex. On Duedil this is also their trading office. On their diamond website, the contact address is Westone Business Service Ltd, Unit 36, 88-90 Hatton Garden, London EC1N 8PN – a virtual office. 

Although I'm sure that coloured diamonds look stunning on a white knight, I would be very wary of cold calls from unknown companies offering to buy wines that have been bought from The London Vines Ltd. 
 

The London Vines Ltd: update on Barry Gamble and Robert Phillips

 James Morrison's appointments 

It would appear that 42-year-old Robert Phillips, the sole current director of The London Vines Ltd, may bear a remarkable resemblance to James Morrison, who was a director of Henry Talbot Ltd – closed in the public interest in 2003. Morrison was also company secretary of wine investment company James Hewitt Associates Ltd, which was closed in the public interest in October 2002. James Hewitt Associates Ltd was run by Andrew Dunne, now resident in Northern Cyprus.   

Barry Gamble and Robert Phillips also worked at Countrywide Land, a land banking company. Andrew Dunne was reportedly the ringleader of this £35 million fraud. Gamble says that he worked for Countrywide for about a year. He was aware of Andrew Dunne being involved in the company, but that Dunne was never at any time his manager and he had no association with him. 

Dunne is now understood to be in Northern Cyprus. In addition to Countrywide Land He was involved in a long list of scam companies including Ransby Hoare Associates Ltd, Liquid Acquisitions Ltd, James Hewitt Associates Ltd, Bordeaux UK Ltd (all wine investments) and Paramount Land UK and Consolidated Land UK (both land banking).

investdrinks has been contacted by several clients of The London Vines Ltd, who are concerned about their investments. They have been urged to file complaints through Action Fraud. 

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Capital Bordeaux Investments Ltd may also have disappeared. Annual return is overdue since 22.5.2013 and phone calls are put through to a mailbox.