Oddbins was Britain's quirkiest wine merchant — HMRC killed it with a £20M debt

Oddbins was founded in 1963 by Ahmed Pochee in London, originally delivering 'bin-ends' and oddments of wine to restaurants and clubs. It became known for its knowledgeable staff, eclectic wine selection, and the distinctive illustrations of Ralph Steadman on its labels. Steadman worked with the chain for 12 years, creating a brand identity that made Oddbins one of Britain's most distinctive wine retailers.

Oddbins grew steadily through the 1980s and 1990s, expanding from 100 stores to a peak of 278 outlets. The chain became a favourite among UK wine enthusiasts, known for stocking unusual bottles that supermarkets would not carry. But by the 2000s, competition from supermarkets using wine as a loss leader eroded its margins, and cross-channel booze cruises drew customers away.

By early 2011, Oddbins had closed a third of its branches, leaving fewer than 100 stores. It proposed a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) to restructure its £20 million debt. However, HM Revenue & Customs — owed nearly half of that debt — blocked the CVA. HMRC's objection was the deciding factor; the rescue plan collapsed.

On 31 March 2011, Oddbins entered administration. Administrators closed 48 shops immediately. Whittalls Wine Merchants, part of European Food Brokers, bought 37 stores from the administrators, saving 200 jobs and acquiring exclusive rights to the Oddbins name. The revived chain went into administration again in 2019 and shifted online-only by 2023.