The Vineking, one of the independent trade’s highest-profile names, has crashed with debts of £822,706.

Its parent company, Erik Laan Fine Wines, is now in the hands of liquidators. Creditors include well-known suppliers as well as smaller importers. Ten jobs are affected.

The Vineking’s Reigate store in Church Steet continues to trade, now under the ownership of VK Wines Ltd, a business set up by Vineking boss Erik Laan on June 5 this year. Erik Laan Fine Wines was wound up on October 6 when the voluntary liquidator was appointed, and after the new business had obtained its VAT and AWRS accreditation.

The Vineking’s other Reigate shop, in West Road, has closed. The Weybridge store was shuttered last year. Another branch in East Molesey was offloaded this spring.

The statement of affairs published by liquidators shows that Erik Laan Fine Wines has an unpaid VAT bill of £180,000 and £50,000 of overdue National Insurance contributions.

Its 10 staff are owed £102,790, and more than £78,000 is owed to customers.

Trade debts amount to £374,446.

The biggest supplier debts include Justerini & Brooks (£30,686), Boutinot (£26,979), Les Grands Chais de France (£14,985), Enotria (£13,380) and Moreno Wines (£9,535).

The business also owes £13,504 to Vindependents, the agency business whose stakeholders are all independent merchants. The Vineking is no longer listed as a member of the group.