THE DIRECTOR of a Southampton-based architectural business that failed with debts of around £200,000 has agreed not to hold directorships or take part in company management for six years.

Richard Lowe of Brambles Close, Four Marks, Alton was a director of Gutteridges Ltd which carried out business at Carlton Crescent in the city. The company was placed into voluntary liquidation on March 14 2000 with estimated debts of £207,405 owed to creditors.

Mr Lowe gave an undertaking not to be a director of a company in any way, whether directly or indirectly.

He has also agreed not to be concerned or to take part in the promotion, formation or management of a company for six years.

Matters of unfit conduct not disputed by Mr Lowe include:

Caused Gutteridges Ltd to trade to the detriment of the Inland Revenue with respect to PAYE and NIC from the tax year 1997/98 to cessation of trading on February 10 2000. He failed to adhere to the Inland Revenues payment proposals by making his last payment on June 16 1999 for £7,568.20. No further payment to PAYE or NIC was made in this period. At liquidation, the Inland Revenue was due £36,826 in outstanding PAYE.

Caused the company to trade to the detriment of HM Customs and Excise by not paying VAT from June 1999 to February 10 2000.

The company made its last payment of VAT due on November 1999 on December 31 1999. No further payments were made in this period. At liquidation, £31,092 was still due in VAT.