Greater Manchester Business Week – August 04, 2019

26 BusIness AUGUST 2019

ENTERPRISE

Manchester Gin is a raising a glass to a
contract win with the Co-operative
ahead of the distillery’s planned
relocation and expansion this autumn.
The move sees the distillery’s
premium Signature Gin listed at over 20
Co-op food stores across Greater
Manchester, and comes just three years
after co-founders Jen Wiggins and Seb
Heeley created their first gin in their
dining room.
The supply deal comes at a key time
to support Manchester Gin’s move to a
new customer-facing distillery in the
arches at the Manchester Central
Convention Complex, a site which will
also include a gin school, bar and
restaurant creating up to 30 new jobs.
Seb Heeley, co-founder and master
distiller, Manchester Gin, said: “This is

great timing, our focus this year has

been to expand our reach both at home

and abroad.

“We’re so pleased to win this listing

with a retailer whose local heritage

makes them a perfect partner for us.

“The win comes as our exciting plans

to upscale our operations are about to

come to fruition, and we ready

ourselves for our new home in the

arches at Manchester Central which

will be designed to deliver the complete

gin experience.”

Rachel Greenlees, Co-op’s local

sourcing buyer, said: “Co-op is

committed to creating value in its

communities and the local sourcing of

products is a cornerstone of our

approach.

“Local produce is an area where we

see continued sustainable growth.

“Our members and customers tell us

that it is important to them and it is

driven by increasing consumer

demand for trust, quality and

provenance.

“These products are made with a mix

of quality, pride, passion and

innovation and the Co-op is continually

looking for new ways to promote,

celebrate and showcase great local

products.”

From humble beginnings in their

dining room, where their original still

was just 60 litres, Manchester Gin went

became the most awarded gin of 2018.

As well as launching new flavours

(including a pink gin and a ‘Wild Spirit’

herbal gin), the couple also welcomed

their first child.

Gin business toasts to Co-op win

Seb Heeley and Jennie Wiggins

A

Manchester-based

subscription box

company has been

selected by Dragons’

Den star Theo

Phaphitas to showcase

at one of Europe’s

largest retail fairs.

Our Little Globe, which sends out

activity boxes themed to a country or

place each month, won a free stand at

the Autumn Fair, which will take place

in September at Birmingham NEC.

The business was co-founded by

friends Erin Rodgers, who worked in

the charity sector for 10 years, and

fencing contractor Fiona Neate in 2017.

“We were both on maternity leave

and we both felt we hadn’t fulfilled our

potential in the career side of things

and in the business side of things.

“We were very much aware how big

the subscription market was and

continued to be in America and we

knew that it was growing over here.

“But there wasn’t really anything

catering for children and parents who

wanted to receive something each

Teaching children

the fun way to learn

about the world

Dragons’ Den star selects Manchester activity box enterprise to showcase at major retail

fair in September. Isabel Finch spoke to founders Erin Rodgers and Fiona Neate on how

they founded the business while on maternity leave...

The afternoon

features guest

speakers,

2 course lunch

and networking.

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The Hilton Hotel, 303 Deansgate,

Manchester M3 4LQ

12 - 3.30pm

Tickets £50 + VAT