D
Deb1287
New Member
Hoxton Spirits & Gerry Calabrese
My Experience at Hoxton Spirits Ltd — A Firsthand Account of Misconduct and Mismanagement
As a former employee of Hoxton Spirits Ltd, I feel compelled to share my experience during what became an increasingly troubling and unethical period under the leadership of then-Director, Mr. Calabrese until the beginning of this year when it ended.
During his time at the helm, serious concerns emerged about conflicts of interest and personal gain. While still a director of Hoxton Spirits, Mr. Calabrese facilitated a deal involving a third-party investment firm, Coleman Capital. After Hoxton entered administration, he was swiftly appointed to the board of Coleman Capital — the same firm that went on to acquire Hoxton’s assets. From where I stood, it seemed clear this deal had been pre-arranged and self-serving, resulting in his personal financial gain at the expense of creditors and, most painfully, the employees who were left unpaid and misled.
What made this even harder to reconcile was learning that Mr. Calabrese also held directorships and board roles at other firms — including Coleman Capital and Optivia. With so many competing interests, it became increasingly difficult to believe he was acting in Hoxton's best interests, particularly as the company’s financial situation worsened.
As the business declined, operations continued despite the fact that Hoxton was clearly insolvent. This led to alarming and unethical decisions:
Payments were made selectively to preferred suppliers while we all went unpaid for months.
Employee wages — including mine — were withheld, despite promises made every month.
New staff were hired while it was already clear their salaries could not be honoured and they never got them!!!
Financial information presented to investors was either inaccurate or incomplete, raising concerns of deliberate manipulation - note Paul Johnson resigning just in time & now owner of the company who saved Hoxton from Administration.
These actions, in my view, went far beyond poor judgment — they reflect clear signs of wrongful trading under the Insolvency Act 1986, and potentially fraudulent conduct.
There were also wider failures that directly affected staff welfare and operational integrity. Accounting records were poorly kept. Tax obligations were not met. Most disturbingly, narcotics and substance use on-site during working hours was known and tolerated, creating an unsafe and unprofessional work environment.
The entire experience left me disillusioned and financially impacted - with rent to pay. But more than that, it left a sense of injustice — that those in charge acted in their own interests while employees were left without pay, clarity, or protection.
I share this in the hope that it adds weight to the concerns being raised and supports any necessary investigation into the conduct of Mr. Calabrese and the events that unfolded at Hoxton Spirits.
Worst bit is they're now reforming!!! Which was the plan all along. Eradicate the debt and start again by hook or by crook
Avoid!!!!!
My Experience at Hoxton Spirits Ltd — A Firsthand Account of Misconduct and Mismanagement
As a former employee of Hoxton Spirits Ltd, I feel compelled to share my experience during what became an increasingly troubling and unethical period under the leadership of then-Director, Mr. Calabrese until the beginning of this year when it ended.
During his time at the helm, serious concerns emerged about conflicts of interest and personal gain. While still a director of Hoxton Spirits, Mr. Calabrese facilitated a deal involving a third-party investment firm, Coleman Capital. After Hoxton entered administration, he was swiftly appointed to the board of Coleman Capital — the same firm that went on to acquire Hoxton’s assets. From where I stood, it seemed clear this deal had been pre-arranged and self-serving, resulting in his personal financial gain at the expense of creditors and, most painfully, the employees who were left unpaid and misled.
What made this even harder to reconcile was learning that Mr. Calabrese also held directorships and board roles at other firms — including Coleman Capital and Optivia. With so many competing interests, it became increasingly difficult to believe he was acting in Hoxton's best interests, particularly as the company’s financial situation worsened.
As the business declined, operations continued despite the fact that Hoxton was clearly insolvent. This led to alarming and unethical decisions:
Payments were made selectively to preferred suppliers while we all went unpaid for months.
Employee wages — including mine — were withheld, despite promises made every month.
New staff were hired while it was already clear their salaries could not be honoured and they never got them!!!
Financial information presented to investors was either inaccurate or incomplete, raising concerns of deliberate manipulation - note Paul Johnson resigning just in time & now owner of the company who saved Hoxton from Administration.
These actions, in my view, went far beyond poor judgment — they reflect clear signs of wrongful trading under the Insolvency Act 1986, and potentially fraudulent conduct.
There were also wider failures that directly affected staff welfare and operational integrity. Accounting records were poorly kept. Tax obligations were not met. Most disturbingly, narcotics and substance use on-site during working hours was known and tolerated, creating an unsafe and unprofessional work environment.
The entire experience left me disillusioned and financially impacted - with rent to pay. But more than that, it left a sense of injustice — that those in charge acted in their own interests while employees were left without pay, clarity, or protection.
I share this in the hope that it adds weight to the concerns being raised and supports any necessary investigation into the conduct of Mr. Calabrese and the events that unfolded at Hoxton Spirits.
Worst bit is they're now reforming!!! Which was the plan all along. Eradicate the debt and start again by hook or by crook
Avoid!!!!!
