Small Business Minister, Kelly Tolhurst MP was getting in the spirit on Friday 6thSeptember as she paid a visit to Copper Rivet Distillery in Kent to see first-hand how they produce their famous dockyard gin.
Copper Rivet first opened its doors on Chatham Martime Marina in 2016. Set in the historic Victorian Pump House, Copper Rivet was founded by Bob Russell and his two sons. They are the only spirits producers in Kent, and one of just a few in the UK that undertake the complete process of distilling. This careful process means that each bottle of gin is unique, and the Russells’ sell thousands of them every year. Their products are all distilled and bottled locally and have become a firm favourite for people in Kent and across the UK.
Bob, who runs Copper Rivet, was keen to win the support of Kelly Tolhurst MP for the UK Spirits Alliance. The campaign calls on government to fix and reform duty, recognising that a stable duty system delivers investment, growth and money for the public purse.
Bob from Copper Rivet said:
“It was fantastic to welcome Kelly to our distillery. We’re really proud of the spirits we produce, so it’s great to get the support of our local MP.
“We have asked Kelly to take the message back to Westminster that the best way to support businesses like ours across the country would be to ensure the duty tax on spirits doesn’t rise in the budget, increasing the cost of a well-deserved gin and tonic for our customers across Kent.”
A spokesperson for the UK Spirits Alliance said:
“It’s great to see MPs across the country recognising that spirits are a British success story and the future of UK drinking. We hope they will support our campaign to stop any duty rise for spirits in this budget.”
Kelly Tolhurst, Small Business Minister and MP for Rochester and Strood, said:
“It’s been really good to see how the freeze in spirits duty is enabling families like the Russells to set up this distillery and thrive. It’s allowed them to invest in making these fabulous drinks which we’re enjoying in our everyday lives and in our pubs.”