Latest news with #AlexanderGalpin
Edinburgh Reporter
07-07-2025
- Edinburgh Reporter
Domestic abuse conviction ends legal career dreams for Luxford Burgers boss Alexander Galpin
Edinburgh 'burger king' Alexander Galpin's dreams of a high-flying legal career are in tatters after one of the world's top law firms confirmed his trainee solicitor position has been axed following a conviction for domestic abuse. Galpin boasted on social media that he had secured a coveted post and was due to start a full-time trainee role in August with Magic Circle firm Clifford Chance – one of the UK's most prestigious legal firms which has an annual £2 billion turnover. But following his conviction for domestic abuse and aggressive behaviour against his former partner and mother of his 19-month-old daughter, Clifford Chance has confirmed Galpin's traineeship offer has been withdrawn. The Edinburgh Reporter revealed Galpin, 24, owner of two Luxford Burgers restaurants in Edinburgh and a 'dark kitchen' Deliveroo operation, was convicted under the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act 2018, at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on 23 June. Galpin repeatedly pressurised his pregnant partner to have an abortion against her wishes, leading to confrontation and furious arguments. Shamed Alexander Galpin leaves Edinburgh Sheriff Court after being convicted of domestic abuse – Pic by Stephen Rafferty In one text message – seen by The Edinburgh Reporter – Galpin told the stressed woman: 'You've had no right to hold this over me every day and watch me squirm, you had no right to force me to look at pictures of a scan of kid that I view as a cancer, nothing more nothing less.' The court heard that following one row over the pregnancy the would-be lawyer drove his car at speed with his pregnant partner in the passenger seat while the door was open. The vehicle struck a post and Galpin later tried to pull her from the car, causing bruising to her arm. During a campaign of abuse, which included him sending hundreds of text messages, Procurator Fiscal Peter Finnon told the court that one offensive message stood out. The woman, who suffered mental health issues, was on the phone to her doctor seeking help, when Galpin messaged: 'Ask if you can get medication for malicious parent syndrome'. In court Galpin admitted that he did repeatedly act in an aggressive manner, and encourage his victim to make representations to the court in support of removal of bail conditions. He admitted that on one occasion, he seized her by the body, pulled her and caused her to fall on a bed, and that he repeatedly contacted her and made offensive remarks. Following the final break up of the relationship in July 2024, Galpin is said to have engaged in an 'extreme form' of behaviour which included repeatedly phoning and messaging his ex-partner at all hours of the day. Galpin has been championed by Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce as an exemplary businessman – winning the Chamber's 2024 'Rising Star' award and being nominated for the 2025 High Growth Business Award – despite the Edinburgh Reporter making the organisation aware of a business failure which left debts of almost £120,000. Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce's Rising Star, Alexander Galpin, (centre) has crashed and burned. We revealed in February how Galpin put Luxford Burgers' parent company, Secure Kitchens Ltd, into liquidation, leaving a trail of debts due to small local businesses, while UK tax payers were left to pick up an £80,000 bill in unpaid VAT, PAYE and corporation tax. Galpin then 'phoenixed' the failed business, setting up a new company Got Buns Ltd in June 2024, and continues to operate the Luxford Burgers restaurants in St Leonard's Street and Brandon Terrace. On his LinkedIn profile, Galpin claims he is 'Executive Director of Galpin Group, a hospitality management business that owns and operates a portfolio of restaurants across the UK, with a combined gross turnover of £6m+ per annum.' He previously stated on his profile: 'I am an incoming trainee solicitor at Clifford Chance, one of the world's leading law firms, where I will start me legal career in August 2025', but that has now been deleted. Galpin has deleted his LinkedIn post boasting about joining law firm Clifford Chance The Edinburgh Reporter contacted Clifford Chance on 28 February and 4 March informing the firm of Galpin's business failure and questioned if it was appropriate that he should be offered a trainee solicitor position. It was only after his conviction for domestic abuse last month that Clifford Chance confirmed the traineeship had been axed. A spokeswoman said: 'As a policy we do not comment on individual applicants to the firm, but I can confirm this individual will not be a future trainee or join Clifford Chance.' Galpin, of Salvesen Crescent, Edinburgh, did not respond to a request for comment. He will be sentenced at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on 1 August. Galpin enjoying La Dolce Vita in Florence but he is in the frame for domestic abuse and due to be sentenced on 1 August. Like this: Like Related
Edinburgh Reporter
24-06-2025
- Edinburgh Reporter
Edinburgh 'burger king' down on his Lux after admitting domestic abuse charge
Edinburgh 'burger king' Alexander Galpin has pleaded guilty to domestic abuse, repeatedly engaging in aggressive behaviour and making offensive remarks to his ex-partner. Galpin, 24, owner of two Luxford Burgers restaurants, and who claims to run a portfolio of restaurants with an annual turnover of £6 million, appeared at the city's sheriff court and admitted to a charge under the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act 2018. Galpin had been in a six-month relationship with the woman but when she fell pregnant in January 2023 it led to a bust-up. He pressured her to have an abortion but she would not consent to that, leading to confrontation and arguments. The shame-faced Edinburgh University graduate, who was championed as an upcoming business star by Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce and self-promotes his alleged business successes, hid behind an umbrella as he left the court in Chambers Street. Shamed Galpin leaves court under a brolly, accompanied by current partner Charlie Harris – pic by Stephen Rafferty Ironically, in March, Galpin's Luxford Burgers chain boasted about supporting International Women's Day by donating 50p on each sale of a specific burger to the charity Strut Safe, which operates a volunteer support line which 'keeps women and marginalized people safe'. Galpin said at the time: 'It is so important all year round, but especially on International Women's Day, that we all do our best to try to change the world for the better.' Procurator fiscal Peter Finnon told the court that between 1 March 2023 and 31 October 2024 at 1a Hatton Lane, Warriston, and elsewhere, Galpin had engaged in a course of behaviour which was abusive to his ex-partner. Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce's Rising Star, Alexander Galpin, has crashed and burned After one row over the pregnancy, Galpin left the Warriston home and his partner followed him to his car. While she was in the passenger seat he drove off with the door open, before it struck a post and the door closed. Galpin is said to have gone to the passenger door and tried to pull her from the vehicle, causing bruising to her arm. The couple rekindled the relationship in September 2023 after which Galpin is said to have encouraged the woman to make representations to the court to drop bail conditions which were in place. The charge – admitted by Galpin – states that he did repeatedly act in an aggressive manner, and encourage her to make representations in support of removal of bail conditions. The charge states that on one occasion, he seized her by the body, pulled her and caused her to fall on a bed, and that he repeatedly contacted her and made offensive remarks. One of the offensive remarks stood out, said Fiscal Peter Finnon. It was said that his ex-partner had health issues and while on a call to her doctor to seek help, Galpin contacted her with the message: 'Ask if you can get medication for malicious parent syndrome'. Following the final break up of the relationship in July 2024, Galpin is said to have engaged in what can only be called an 'extreme form' of behaviour which included repeatedly phoning and messaging his ex-partner at all hours of the day. Defence agent Matt Nicholson said that Galpin had found himself in a 'very fraught and emotional situation and that he had dealt with it badly.' Galpin has no previous convictions and Mr Nicholson said that as the owner of two restaurants, he had a good income, and if appropriate could pay a financial penalty. However, Sheriff John Cook called for social inquiry reports and ordered Galpin, of Salvesen Crescent, Edinburgh, to return to court on 1 August for sentencing. The Edinburgh Reporter revealed in February how Galpin and Luxford Burgers were feted by the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce as an exemplary business and he was shortlisted for the prestigious 2025 High Growth Business of the Year, which followed him being named the Chamber's 2024 'Rising Star'. The High Growth Business award nomination stood despite The Edinburgh Reporter informing the Chamber of Commerce prior to the awards ceremony that Mr Galpin had put Luxford Burgers parent company, Secure Kitchens Ltd, into liquidation with debts of almost £120,000. Luxford Burgers left a trail of debt and now owner Alexander Galpin has pled guilty to domestic abuse charges A report by official liquidator, Begbies Traynor, showed Secure Kitchens Ltd had left 17 creditors – many small local businesses – out of pocket, with the largest amount of £78,000 due to HMRC for unpaid VAT and corporation tax. Luxford Burgers was started from a shipping container in Leith in 2020 as a 'click and collect' and delivery service before opening its first restaurant in St Leonard's Street in March 2022. A second restaurant in Brandon Terrace opened last September and 'dark kitchen' units operated in Glasgow, Manchester, Nottingham and Leeds. He continues to run Luxford Burgers through Got Buns Ltd which was set up in June 2024. Galpin, who has fathered a second child by another woman, claims on his LinkedIn profile that he is Executive Director of hospitality management business Galpin Group, which 'owns and operates a portfolio of restaurants across the UK, with a combined gross turnover of £6m+ per annum'. Like this: Like Related
Edinburgh Reporter
01-05-2025
- Edinburgh Reporter
Edinburgh businessman pleads not guilty to domestic abuse charges
An Edinburgh businessman has pleaded not guilty to a series of domestic abuse allegations. Alexander Galpin, 24, appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court accused of engaging in a course of behaviour between 1 August 2022 and 31 October 2024, which was abusive of his ex-partner. The Edinburgh Reporter has decided not to name the alleged victim. The offences, contrary to the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act 2018, Section1, are said to have taken place at an address in Warriston, Edinburgh, or elsewhere. It is alleged that Galpin attempted to prevent the 28-year old woman from contacting others; attempted to coerce her into having an abortion; and demand she not see her family. Galpin is also alleged to 'drive with a door of a vehicle open causing it to strike a post and close, seize her on the body and pull her and demand she leave the vehicle'. He is accused of repeatedly acting in an aggressive manner and did encourage her to make representations in support of the removal of bail conditions. Another allegation is that he did seize her on the body causing her to fall onto a bed and lay on top of her. It is also alleged that Galpin, of Salvesen Crescent, Edinburgh, 'did demand she not leave the flat to see her family and should tidy it instead, did attend her mother's address uninvited and refuse to leave' and that he 'repeatedly demand she return home'. Galpin, dressed in a blue suit and striped tie, pleaded not guilty to all of the charges and a trial date was set for 23 June. Like this: Like Related
Edinburgh Reporter
28-04-2025
- Business
- Edinburgh Reporter
Legal bun fight after Luxford Burgers boss fails to pay wages and holiday money
A company which was owned by failed burger chain boss Alexander Galpin was ordered to pay a former employee hundreds of pounds in unpaid wages and holiday pay by an Employment Tribunal. But six months after the legal ruling against Ozen (Edinburgh) Ltd, law graduate Aanchal Barnabas has not received a penny and is looking to take legal action against the former director to force a settlement. Ms Barnabas claimed she had been exploited by Mr Galpin – previously lauded as a 'Rising Star' by Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce – and that the situation had caused her 'severe financial hardship and mental distress'. Ms Barnabas worked for Ozen Street Food preparing take-away food in a 'dark kitchen' in Glasgow, but when she was suddenly dismissed the company failed to pay out more than £1,200 due in unpaid wages and holiday pay. A ruling by Employment Tribunals (Scotland) on 25 October 2024 ordered Ozen (Edinburgh) Ltd to pay Ms Barnabas £764.16 for unauthorized deduction of wages and a further £517.03 for unpaid holiday entitlement. Alexander Galpin was a director and majority shareholder of Ozen (Edinburgh) Ltd until his resignation on 5 November 2024 when the company was sold to UK City Foods for an undisclosed sum. Aanchal Barnabas is pursuing Alexander Galpin for unpaid wages which left her in severe financial hardship We revealed in February how Mr Galpin and his Edinburgh burger chain, Luxford Burgers, were feted by the Chamber of Commerce as an exemplary business and was shortlisted for the prestigious 2025 High Growth Business of the Year, which followed him being named the Chamber's 2024 'Rising Star'. The High Growth Business award nomination stood despite The Edinburgh Reporter informing the Chamber of Commerce prior to the awards ceremony that Mr Galpin had put Luxford Burgers parent company, Secure Kitchens Ltd, into liquidation with debts of almost £120,000. A report by official liquidator Begbies Traynor showed Secure Kitchens Ltd had left 17 creditors – many small local businesses – out of pocket, with the largest amount of £78,000 due to HMRC for unpaid VAT and corporation tax. A legal ruling by an Employment Tribunal but payment still be be made to claimaint Aanchal Barnabas One creditor, who asked not to be named, said: 'Alex Galpin seems to think it is ok to leave all this debt behind and carry on in the same premises under a similar trading name as if nothing has happened. There is no doubt he exudes an arrogant persona and does not lack confidence.' Alexander Galpin enjoying 'la dolce vita' on a trip to Florence Strathclyde University graduate Ms Barnabas, who is looking at legal remedies to recover the monies due to her, said: 'Many of us who worked at Ozen's dark kitchen, which was operated by Mr Galpin, were suddenly removed from our jobs without being paid our wages, including holiday pay. 'As an international student, I depended on this part-time job to survive, and this situation has left me in severe financial hardship and emotional distress. I took my case to the employment tribunal, and I received a ruling in my favour, but despite this I am still unable to recover the money owed to me. 'People like Mr. Galpin exploit workers, particularly vulnerable international students, causing not only financial loss but also mental distress. It is unacceptable that individuals like him continue to operate businesses, win awards, and receive public recognition, while their former employees struggle to get the wages they rightfully earned. This is not just about me but about ensuring that employers who exploit workers are held accountable.' Mr Galpin's LinkedIn profile states he is Executive Director of hospitality management business Galpin Group which 'owns and operates a portfolio of restaurants across the UK, with a combined gross turnover of £6m+ per annum'. Sports-car driving Alexander Galpin is being pursued for unpaid wages and holiday pay The Edinburgh Reporter asked Mr Galpin if he or his former company Ozen Foods intended to pay the monies due to Ms Barnabas, as legally required, but he failed to respond. He also failed to reply to claims that he has exploited workers and that his actions had caused financial and mental distress. Mr Galpin, who claims he is 'passionate about the hospitality industry and its potential to create positive social and environmental impact', told The Edinburgh Reporter: 'The Directors of the business previously traded as 'Ozen Street Food' have written to the Glasgow (sic) Employment Tribunal to request a reversal of the Order for default judgment made by the Employment Tribunal. 'Myself or the other Directors at the time of the judgment were not aware of the judgment. I alerted the Directors of the company to your comments, and they have investigated promptly since then, resulting in a request to overturn the default judgment entered due to non-response by the company.' Like this: Like Related
