Brown in shock return
An English firm has reopened the Steven Brown Art empire – and Brown is being used as an ambassador.
And his children Jordan and Linzi are now helping run the McCoo show.
Steven Brown’s firm went out of business in July. Twenty- one people lost their jobs and the company owed tens of thousands of pounds to creditors.
But on Thursday he was back, and the flagship store on Newmarket Street, Ayr, opened again.
The Ayrshire Post’s request to Brown to atone or even apologise for the company’s failure was denied.
Instead the new frontman Dave Cowlishaw said: “We are concentrating on the new business. We are not in a position to comment on events prior to DGD Trading Ltd taking ownership.”
An English firm has reopened the Steven Brown Art empire – and Brown is being used as an ambassador.
And his children Jordan and Linzi are now helping run the McCoo show.
Steven Brown’s firm went out of business in July. 21 people lost their jobs and the company owed tens of thousands of pounds to creditors.
But on Thursday he was back, bold as brass, and the flagship store on Newmarket Street, Ayr, opened again.
The Ayrshire Post’s request to Brown to atone or even apologise for the company’s failure was denied.
Instead the new frontman Dave Cowlishaw said: “We are concentrating on the new business.
“We are not in a position to comment on events prior to DGD Trading Ltd taking ownership.”
One source who saw Brown outside the shop last week said: “I nodded to him but he just blanked me.
“He has some brass neck appearing again as if nothing had ever happened.
“I would like to know if any of the new money he is making will repay the old company’s big debts.”
The new firm DGD, based in Derby, was formed in February and has a single director: David Cordy, 42.
It bought the copyright to the McCoo brand from Brown just days before the collapse.
Brown has not apologised face- to- face to his former staff yet is now meeting his fans back in the old gallery.
His former staff had to sneak in a back door to avoid making a scene – then were axed on the spot.
In a statement Steven, 47, said: “I’m delighted to be back doing what I love and enjoy the most.
“There are really exciting times ahead. Loads will be happening and I’ve got plenty more paintings to do over the coming months so watch this space.”
His old company Steven Brown Art Ltd, which had a turnover of £ 11.5 million, ceased trading and axed staff with immediate effect in July.
Brown and his wife Caroline, 47, were both directors of the company.
For a long spell they enjoyed phenomenal success as the McCoos and their spin- offs gained a cult following, with thousands of paintings hanging in homes.
Business partner Craig Bryson, also a childhood pal, died suddenly last year. It is thought his widow Linda still had up to 50 per cent of the shares.
We revealed in July that Linda went “bananas” when she found out the gallery had been shut.
The financial arrangement between Brown and the new company is unclear.
The new firm say he will be “spending time at the shop, getting inspiration, doing a spot of painting, and chatting to his loyal fans”.
The deal has allowed him to keep selling the original pieces while his creditors wait to see if their bills will be settled by the liquidator.
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