Mick Jagger is one of several high-profile names that have to claim their wine from the bankrupt bonded warehouse Trapps Cellars.
The multi-millionaire Rolling Stones frontman holds nearly 100 cases of fine wine in the London warehouse, which ceased trading after a Customs and Excise raid in August. It now faces a £1.93m (€3m) duty assessment charge.
Trapps has some 600 private and corporate customers. It has held fine wines for names like Andrew Lloyd Webber, the Royal family, Christie’s, Sotheby’s and the Rothschilds. But at least half of its stock is less-exalted alcoholic beverages like Chinese cooking spirit and Nigerian Guinness.
Customs and Excise has demanded the warehouse close by 21 January. An original deadline of 16 December for all wines to be removed has passed and customers who missed it may now be able to take advantage of a stay of execution until the middle of January deadline.
Trapps managing director John Davis says there are some 30,000 cases still unclaimed. If it is not claimed by the 21st it will be destroyed.
As far as Jagger is concerned, he ‘has been in touch’, Davis confirmed.
Richard Toone of administrators Begbies Traynor said, ‘We urge [Trapps customers] to get in touch soon or they risk losing their collections.’
Written by Adam Lechmere17 December 2002
