'Wanted' trader opens new store

Richard Parker's new store in Beverley

IN THIS week's Banffshire Journal we reveal how Banff whisky trader Richard Parker, alleged to be being pursued for a trail of debts running into many thousands pounds, has opened a new whisky store in Beverley, Yorkshire.

It is barely three months since Mr Parker (35) closed his former whisky and gift store in Low Street, Banff – leaving behind an alleged trail of debts.

Mr Parker’s brother and convicted fraudster, Alistair (30), has also opened a new store in Beverley.

Also alleged to owe many tens of thousands of pounds back in Banff, Alistair Parker saw his Sheiling Tor fish and chip shop in Fyvie go into liquidation less than a month ago.

He, like his brother, saw the mayor of Beverley, Peter Ansell, officially open a new store for him – a model trains and planes shop in the unit right next door to his brother’s new whisky outlet which specialises in bottles of rare malts worth up to £8,000 each.

Welcoming the Parkers, Mayor Ansell described them as "young entrepreneurs" in the local press.

However, a Banff businessmen who does not want named but says he has his lawyer pursuing the pair for many tens of thousands of pounds, took a different view.

"They have got an absolute cheek, but it doesn’t surprise me," he told the Banffshire Journal this week.

Mr Parker's disgruntled online customers from the likes of America, Australia and South Africa are now firing internet messages around the world warning whisky connoisseurs against dealing with him.