THE boss of a collapsed auction house has dropped plans to open a new business in Winchester after a string of stories in the Hampshire Chronicle.

Charles Evans planned to open a new auction business at The Furniture Warehouse in Easton Lane, Winnall.

The move sparked outrage as Prospect Auction Rooms in Alresford collapsed last autumn owing thousands of pounds to hundreds of people, including from cherished heirlooms.

But the owners of the Winnall building alerted by this newspaper’s investigation have decided not to sign a lease with Mr Evans and the building is back on the market.

Jeremy Braybrooke, of the letting agents Osmond Brookes, said: “Mr Evans is no longer on the premises. We are showing people around again.”

Mr Braybrooke said a ten-year lease was never signed and the building’s owners grew concerned about the press articles: “Once we started reading the stories alarm bells started ringing. We were not aware of the background. The owner decided this was not something he wanted to be tied up with. I have no idea where he (Mr Evans) has gone.”

Mr Evans, who was unavailable for comment about the scuppering of his plans, claims that Prospect was owned by his partner Gemma Sharp, of Station Road, Alresford, who has since been declared bankrupt with debts of some £80,000. According to the Official Receiver, Prospect owed £39,700 to 300 people for goods that Prospect had sold.

Mr Evans, of no fixed abode, claims he was only the manager of Prospect. But in his application for a change of use of the building on Easton Lane it is clear he regarded it as his business. On the planning application, he wrote: “I started an auction house three years ago and have outgrown the premises...I currently employ ten people, with a larger premises, I will be increasing my workforce to at least 15.”

Victims of the collapse of Prospect were this week still angry. Susanna Lyle, of Canon Street, reckons she is owned £20,000 for antiques including 18th century Waterford crystal glass.

She said: “I will be furious if he has gone and so can’t stand up and face the consequences. I fear he and Gemma Sharp will get somewhere else and start again. If he gets away with this I will be very angry. I have never come across anyone as unscrupulous as this, so lacking in any sense of integrity. There has been no remorse and no shame.”

Another victim, who asked not to be named, said: “We should thank the Chronicle for persisting with this. We have not got our money back but at least Mr Barney-Evans has been exposed. I would still like to know where he is.”