Former All Black Zinzan Brooke and his wife Alison have been declared bankrupt in the UK.

The bankruptcy orders published in the London Gazette are dated July 27 and the receiver is based in Reading.

The couple operate a bed and breakfast business called Frances Lodge near Windsor.

The B&B charges STG100 ($NZ193) and more a night and is marketed as being near to where "the great and the good of Windsor choose to live".

In 1997, Brooke retired from international rugby but moved to England to play for Harlequins.

He played 58 tests for New Zealand and captained the Auckland Blues to Super 12 championships in 1996 and 1997.

The couple had purchased several properties in the UK and were waiting for the UK property market to pick up before considering a return to New Zealand, according to an article in the New Zealand Women's Weekly.