An order was made in the Supreme Court today to wind up a decades-old gardening business.

Chief Justice Narinder Hargun also appointed provisional liquidators for Sousa’s Landscape Management Company Ltd.

At a hearing in the court's civil and commercial jurisdiction, Precious Smith, of ASW Law, said Sousa’s presented a petition to be wound up.

Acting for the business, she added: “The company is unable to pay its debts.”

Henry Tucker, of Carey Olsen, appeared on behalf of Two Camp Ltd, which earlier launched legal action seeking an order of possession and a judgment on rental arrears.

That case related to land at the corner of Camp Hill Road and Middle Road in Southampton where Sousa’s — founded by Jeff Sousa, a former One Bermuda Alliance MP — ran a garden centre until last year.

Puisne Judge Larry Mussenden ruled in December 2022 that the proceeds of any sale by the landscaping company of palm trees and a crane truck, less reasonable expenses, should be paid to Two Camp.

But the order was stayed this month pending the winding-up proceedings.

Mr Tucker said that “considerable efforts” were made to find a private liquidator for the company, so that steps could be taken to protect any value “for the benefit not only of my clients, but indeed any creditors”.

Mr Justice Hargun ordered Sousa’s to be wound up and that John Johnston and Edward Willmott, of Deloitte, be appointed as joint provisional liquidators.

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