Vino toasts fourth shop and plans online sale

WINE retailer Vino is targeting online expansion after opening its fourth bottle shop in Edinburgh, just over a year since the business was launched.

Andrew Lundy, a former Wine Rack manager, founded the company with business partner Gavin Ferguson and Alan Biggar, the former head of investment manager Brewin Dolphin's Edinburgh office and Lundy's father-in-law.

When Wine Rack-owner First Quench Group went into administration in late 2009 - forcing the closure of its Bottoms Up, Haddows, Victoria Wine and Threshers chains - Vino snapped up three of the best-performing stores.

The team opened its fourth shop in the capital's Stockbridge district late last month and is now turning its attention to Vino's online presence. Lundy said: "We're trying to put some of the personality of our shops into the website, so people can see what we sell and browse for wine."

Ferguson, a restaurateur who used to own Skippers in Leith and now runs the Waterside Bistro in Haddington, added: "One of our big suppliers is asking us to help them developer their Twitter presence. We already have more than 1,400 followers and so they think we can help them look at giving customers special offers."

Vino has also been running corporate events for the likes of law firm Biggart Bailie, banking giant HSBC and pensions provider Scottish Widows.

News of the chain's online expansion comes just days after wine merchant Hamish Martin sold his Inverarity Vaults business to Glasgow-based drinks supplier William Morton for an undisclosed sum.

Martin will remain with the business.