The fundraising, handled by professional services firm Grant Thornton, brings in new investors ‘from the retailing, finance and wine markets’. The Sampler plans to open branches in South Kensington and Notting Hill later this year, which like the existing Islington outlet will allow customers to try wines before they buy using special sampling machines.

Dawn Mannis, who founded The Sampler in 2006 with partner Jamie Hutchinson, says, ‘It’s our crusade to make wine non-elitist, introduce customers to wines they would not usually buy, and bring excitement and profit back to high street wine retailing.’

Darrel Connel, a manager at Grant Thornton, says the company was able to raise funds in a challenging retail environment due to a ‘combination of true innovation and extremely strong financial performance’.

Among the new investors is Keith Prothero, a director at wine supplier Mullineux Wines with a background in the financial services industry.