An award-winning gin distillery and experience has gone into administration and put up for sale with a buyer sought by the end of the month.
Nelson’s Distillery & School Ltd, known for its award-winning spirits, appointed administrators on 9 July.
The company, based near Uttoxeter, was featured in TripAdvisor’s global top 10 per cent of attractions for seven consecutive years and holds over 15 international awards.
It was established in 2016 by former chef Neil Harrison who passed away earlier this year aged 56.
Cheadle-based insolvency firm ipd says the business experienced operational disruption due to Neil’s sudden death and a formal review in May led to the appointment of Martin Williamson, a licensed insolvency practitioner of ipd, as administrator.
Martin said: “This is a rare opportunity to acquire a well-loved, award-winning British spirits brand with growth potential.
“Despite recent setbacks, the core offer remains strong due to its production infrastructure and unique gin recipes to its customer base and tourism accolades.”
Nelson’s rose to prominence with its flagship London Dry No.7 gin and the distinctive Signature Blend Rum. It has also produced private-label spirits for high-profile chefs and restaurants, including collaborations with Michel Roux and La Gavroche.
In 2023, the firm teamed up with Wizzard frontman Roy Wood to mark the 50th anniversary of the hit I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday by creating a gin with the same name and spearheaded a campaign to get the song to number one.
The business includes a fully equipped distillery and a 14-station gin school.
It also owns a number of UK trademarks and recipes for its bestselling gins and rums, which will transfer to the purchaser.
The administrator is seeking to conclude a sale of the business and assets by 31 July 2025. All expressions of interest and indicative offers must be submitted by 5pm on Monday, 21 July 2025.
Interested parties should contact the Administrator’s office directly for a sales pack and to arrange due diligence access.
oh dear, and what a shame. we had a great experience making some gin there a few years ago, and have purchased many a bottle but as so sadly happens in these circumstances and when no family wants or has the passion to continue to drive the business it falls into bad times ;-( Hopefully will take over the business and keep his dream alive..