A BBC Bailiffs and Homes Under the Hammer star has sold an uninhabited island in the Thames at an enormous loss.
Jamie Waller, 46, sold Hallsmead Ait, a triangular island or eyot in Berkshire, close to Shiplake Lock in Oxfordshire, for £99,470 – just a fifth of the price he paid three years ago.
The wooded island, which was offered at auction by agents Savills, has its own landing pontoon and was listed without reserve – meaning it was sold to the highest bidder regardless of price.
The millionaire entrepeneur, who wants the island to have an ‘imaginative use’, put the plot up for sale as he is moving out of Henley-on-Thames.
Speaking before the sale, Mr Waller said: ‘I just thought I would let it go. [I hoped] someone as ambitious as me would buy it and do something interesting with [it].
‘I would like to see someone ambitious to do something meaningful, such as an entrepreneur retreat.’
Mr Waller grew up in the East End of London and as a young man with dyslexia, he feels that he was failed by the education system.
He left school at 16 without a single qualification and 21 years later, he went on to sell his business for more than £40m.
Hallsmead Ait, a triangular island or eyot in Berkshire, close to Shiplake Lock in Oxfordshire, has sold for £99,470
Jamie Waller, a former BBC Bailiffs and Homes Under the Hammer star, has sold the uninhabited island in the Thames at an enormous loss
He founded the debt collection and outsourcing company JBW Group, fintech solutions company Hito, the private equity firm Firestarters, and the fintech company Just, where he serves as chair.
Mr Waller featured in the BBC’s Bailiffs TV show for two years after first appearing in 2000, along with other members of WiseHill and JBW staff.
He was also featured in the follow-up show The Enforcers and in the debt advice show Beat the Bailiff.
He is also the author of two books: Unsexy Business and The Dyslexic Entrepreneur.
The entrepreneur has now moved to London and said the island is now ready for ‘imaginative use’ – such as an entrepreneur retreat.
He said that the area where the island is located is one of the most beautiful parts of the country.
‘What makes it so special is that there is a heavy use of the river – like the Henley Regatta,’ Mr Waller added.
‘There is something very lovely about turning up [on] your own island on your boat with your family and having a barbecue.’
The wooded island, which was offered at auction by agents Savills, has its own landing pontoon and was listed without reserve
The millionaire entrepeneur wants the island to have an ‘imaginative use’ from the next owner
Mr Waller said before the auction that he wanted to see the island turned into ‘something meaningful’ in the next couple of years when he passes by it on his boat.
‘It would be a shame if they just turn it into a single boat house,’ he added.
Savills’ website described the island as being located on ‘one of the most picturesque reaches of the River Thames’ and on a ‘tranquil stretch known for its unspoilt natural beauty’.
The listing also described the island as having ‘sweeping views across the water and a rich variety of wildlife along its banks’.
The affluent village of Sonning is around three miles downstream, whilst Reading town centre is within five miles to the west.
Mr Waller was approached for comment regarding the sale price.
