York Gin is back on the up after surviving a ‘perfect storm’ which put one of its businesses into administration.
Having suffered a ‘series of challenges’, the brand has been saved, although two jobs have been lost.
Plans to create a distillery in the Coppergate Centre are now on hold.
The positive forecast has been capped by news that the company has won Best Gin at Good Housekeeping’s Annual Gin Taste Test 2023.
York Gin London Dry took the title by beating huge names in the craft gin industry like Sipsmith, Aviation and Hendricks.
The win comes at the end of a turbulent first quarter of 2023 for the company.
A York Gin spokesperson said: “While the Pavement and railway station shops have continued to trade as normal, the distillery arm of the business was beset by a ‘perfect storm’ of issues including Covid, cost of living and inflation added to a distillery break-in last summer, which saw the entire stock stolen, along with a promised significant investment failing to materialise.”
No one has been caught for the break-in.
This combination saw York Gin Company Ltd go into administration, while other parts of the business continued as normal.
“The company has worked to ensure no suppliers were left out of pocket and managers went without pay for several months,” the spokesperson said.
“The business has worked with excellent local business advisers Azets to make sure it is now set up for success. That part of the business is now out of administration – funded entirely by friends and family of management. And both shops are being supplied as normal.”
Coppergate move on hold
Seven full-time jobs have been saved – while two jobs have unfortunately been lost.
The shop team has worked continuously throughout the period. Sales in the shops have been strong, especially over the Easter holidays.
However, the ambitious plan to create a three-floor distillery, cocktail bar and visitor attraction in the Coppergate Centre is currently on hold. The owners of the site are keen to work with York Gin, if investment can be found.
Now York Gin is looking to the future with renewed confidence after the Good Housekeeping win. And a new management structure will be announced over the next few weeks.
York Gin London Dry came joint top with the East London Liquor Company’s London Dry – with the top mark awarded in the contest – of 89/100.
York Gin’s Master Distiller Harry Cooke said: “You don’t have to believe us when we say we make world-class gin. This expert panel at Good Housekeeping is completely independent – and they tested York Gin London Dry against a formidable range of top international gins.
“Good Housekeeping is a globally-trusted brand. Their testing team are renowned for fairness and robustness. And look at the names York Gin has beaten!
“To say we are on top of the world is an understatement.”