Donald Trump among those owed over £1m by collapsed discount voucher site 5pm

A Scottish discount voucher site which collapsed last month owes more than 250 creditors – including Donald Trump – over £1m, a report has revealed.

The firm, which rebranded as Kooble last year, was founded by Ronnie Somerville and David Maguire in Glasgow as 5pm.co.uk around 25 years ago.

The company, which was one of the first in Scotland to sell discount vouchers for restaurants, hotels, and spa treatments, collapsed in August with 27 jobs lost.

A report from administrators Johnston Carmichael claims there are 258 creditors including Trump Turnberry – the Ayrshire golf and hotel resort owned by the former US president.

Hotel chains Hilton, Ibis, Macdonald, and Raddison are also unsecured creditors of the firm, as are the five-star Mar Hall resort in Bishopton and Fairmont at St Andrews.

The estimated total deficiency to creditors is believed to be around £1.58m.

The report states the company “paid merchants (those who utilised the website in order to sell deals) in arrears”.

5pm.co.uk sold discount vouchers for restaurants and hotels. 5.P.M. LTD

It added: “As such there are a large volume of both merchant creditors and consumer creditors (those who had purchased vouchers but were not unable to use them because the merchant would not be paid).”

Customers holding vouchers for 5pm were first advised to attempt to make a chargeback claim with their card provider.

If unsuccessful, they were instructed to send their voucher and proof of the failed chargeback claim in order to be treated as a creditor in the administration.

It is believed the level of consumer creditor debt is around £50,000, but that the extent “will not be known for some time until the chargeback process has concluded”.

Donald McNaught, joint administrator, said last month: “5.P.M. LTD. has unfortunately been placed into Administration following challenges with cashflow that could not be overcome.

“This has resulted in the loss of 27 jobs. Administrators are now seeking interest in the company’s remaining business and assets, and we invite any parties interested to get in touch as quickly as possible.”

A statement on Kooble’s website last month read: “Donald McNaught and Graeme Bain of Johnston Carmichael, 227 West George Street, Glasgow, G2 2ND have been appointed as Joint Administrators of 5 P.M. Ltd. to manage its affairs, business and property as its agents, without personal liability.

“Personal data will be kept secure and processed only for matters relating to the administration. 5 P.M. Ltd. remains the data controller for personal data processed for purposes that are not related to legal and regulatory obligations.

“Creditors of 5 P.M. Ltd should contact 5pmcreditors@jcca.co.uk with any queries.

“All other enquiries should be directed to the Administrators or their staff at restructuring@jcca.co.uk.”

Hilton Hotels, MacDonald Hotels and Resorts, Trump Turnberry and Fairmont at St Andrews have been contacted for comment.