Superdry guy rolls up his sleeves for a court wrangle
MANY people have a moan after getting builders in, but Superdry tycoon Julian Dunkerton is taking his workmen to the High Court claiming they overcharged him by a staggering £850,000.
I learn the former Cheltenham market stall holder, who amassed a reputed £300 million fortune through his clothing empire, has begun legal action against Dowdeswell Estates Building over work on his Cotswolds property development and hotel business, The Lucky Onion.
Dunkerton, 56, who lives with his fashion designer wife, Jade Holland Cooper, 34, in a Georgian mansion in Gloucestershire with their 11-monthold daughter, Saphaia, wants an order forcing Dowdeswell to open its books to his accountants. He’s applied to the High Court in London to gain access.
According to a writ, the issue has arisen over an apparent overcharge of £847,450, alleged to have come to light when then Dowdeswell director Heidi Pay submitted draft accounts for the company set up to carry out building work for the Lucky Onion.
The Lucky Onion’s accountant is said to have gone back to the contractors to highlight the problem but was apparently told Ms Pay had since resigned from her role. It’s claimed the accountant attempted to set up a meeting with Ms Pay to go through the paperwork together but she apparently rejected the offer saying she’d provided all she needed and ‘the discussion is around him (Dunkerton) paying his outstanding invoices’.
Dunkerton, who counts Zara and Mike Tindall among his friends, then tried to use an independent accountant to carry out an audit but, it’s alleged, the company declined to cooperate any further.
Both sides decline to comment.