Iconic stop faces legal challenge over VAT bill

House of Bruar hit with HMRC winding-up petition

- ALASTAIR MCNEILL

A Perthshire business dubbed 'The Harrods of the North' is facing legal proceedings over a VAT bill.

HMRC has lodged a petition in Scotland's highest civil court, the Court of Session, that the House of Bruar Limited be wound up and a liquidator appointed.

But the firm's managing director Patrick Birkbeck told the PA last week that the legal action in the Court of Session was “not very significant” and the matter was about “just paying the right amount” of VAT.

He said the popular Highland Perthshire country clothing retail business and food hall - which made a £3.25m pretax profit in 2024 - is in good financial shape and it is business as usual.