Officers investigate wine sales website

Several customers contacted police and trading standards after they failed to receive wine bought from SurplusWine.co.uk, owned by Leeds-based company Mardenis.

Mardenis was based at 3 York Place, an upmarket Leeds restaurant that closed at the end of March. According to documents at Companies House, Denis Lefrancq – the owner of 3 York Place – was appointed secretary of Mardenis in October last year.

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said officers were looking into a "suspected fraud" relating to the sale of imported wine and trying to established any offences had been committed.

West Yorkshire Trading Standards said they were also looking into complaints about SurplusWine.co.uk.

One London-based customer, who asked not to be named, said: "Surpluswine.co.uk appears to have been set up and closed down within four weeks."

He said advertisements in national newspapers stated that large amounts of bankrupt stock – including top wines from Bordeaux, Burgundy and the Rhone at 70 per cent savings on trade prices – were being sold.

"I, like many others, checked out the credentials and phoned the number and then placed a large order for more than 1,000," the man said.

"Delivery was twice delayed and finally was confirmed for March 25 but never turned up. On Friday March 26, the free-phone number was disconnected. The restaurant phone does not answer any more."

Nobody was available for comment when the Yorkshire Post called at 3 York Place yesterday.