In our campaign ahead of the Budget in March, we heard from distiller Matthew Russell from Copper Rivet Distillery in Kent. He spoke with GB News about the pressures facing small distillers at present, and the need for recognition from the Government that small distilleries across the UK are struggling to cope under rising costs, watch the video here
Forty-five members from the UK Spirits Alliance, and our fellow trade body the Scotch Whisky Association- wrote to Chancellor Jeremy Hunt, to request support for the industry. Thank you to the below UKSA members for taking the time to engage with this letter.
Paul Sullivan, 6 O’Clock Gin
Stewart Bridge, Little Devil Distillery
Kate Martson, Puddingstone Distillery
Craig Penn, The Wrecking Coast Distillery
Chris Jaume, Cooper King Distillery
Abbie Neilson, Cooper King Distillery
Anicca O’Nions, Thunderflower
Paul Sharrocks, Stockport Gin
Cheryl Sharrocks, Stockport Gin
Charles Maxwell, Thames Distillers
Simon Picken, Shakespeare Distillery
Tommy Gaughan, Salford Rum
Andy Arnold-Bennett, Shed 1 Distillery
Zoe Arnold-Bennett, Shed 1 Distillery
Tony Hobbs, Tranquil Still
Thomas Wilson, Isle of Skye Distillers
Martin Reid, The Gin Cooperative
Rob Laming, Llanfairpwll Distillery
Tony Brindle, Dog and Spoon Distillery
Karl Bond, Forest Distillery
Kathy Caton, Brighton Gin
Quint, Atlantic Spirit Distillery
Johnny Roberts, Berry Bros & Rudd
John Fordyce, Borders Distillery
For more information on how to write to your MP, or make suggestions on our engagement with politicians going forward, then do not hesitate to contact us.
Thank you to Stockport Gin, Brighton Gin, Batch Gin, Copper Rivet Distillery, and Tranquil Still Distillery for taking part in a roundtable with supportive MPs from across the political spectrum. It was brilliant to discuss the pressing needs of the industry amongst supporters.
In May we hosted a visit at RED Distillery in Liphook, Hampshire, with Damian Hinds MP. It was a wholly positive visit, and in Damian we now have a strong supporter – thank you to the team at RED for this engagement.