It’s a sign of their success that Nicholas and Lukasz, gin makers extraordinaire and co-founders of the Clevedon Distillery, are inundated with offers of support in their search for ‘a new home’. Many leads, whilst exciting, have turned out not to be quite right, often due to significant work needing doing.
Nicholas and Lukasz are still making and distributing gin from 23 Old Street, thanks to the help of the returning occupant, Karen Shaw and her exciting, new adventure Rise Bakehouse @rise_bakehouse_clevedon but most of their gin-making paraphernalia is now in storage.
It’s a challenge finding just the right location – they’re not looking for the perfect place, they are not afraid of hard work if needed, but they don’t want to take on something that isn’t quite right. They have some promising leads and are still hoping to find a premises by April 2023.
They need to move as soon as possible and are following up on all leads, but as yet, nothing suitable has emerged. If you’re reading this blog, perhaps you could help with a little word-of-mouth marketing. These are their requirements:
1. They would very much like to stay in Clevedon.
2. They would like a high street premises or an exclusive, quirky, members club venue.
3. They need a minimum of 80m2 and a maximum of 150m2.
4. They need both ‘dry’ and ‘wet’ areas i.e. a chillout lounge space and a ‘kitchen’ area for the plumbing for the stills.
Word of mouth is such a valuable tool, one person will tell another, and that person will tell someone else, and then that person will continue the chain and spread the word further, making it a great vehicle for passing on information.
There is already quite a buzz around Nicholas and Lukasz’s search for a new home, but let’s try and make that buzz louder and louder. And if you get any leads, no matter how tenuous, then get in touch with them at mailto:hello@clevedondistillery.com or text, Whatsapp or call them on 07825 661256
In the meantime, Nicholas and Lukasz have set up a ‘click and collect’ system with the support of the Fallen Tree micro-pub, here in Clevedon, the very first micro-pub in North Somerset! You can order online here. Orders online are usually fulfilled within 24 hours and will be left ready to collect at The Fallen Tree. during opening hours which are:
Wednesday 5.00 p.m. to 10.00 p.m. Thursday: 5.00 p.m. to 10.00 p.m. Friday: 4.00 p.m. to 10.00 p.m. Saturday: 1.00 p.m. to 10.00 p.m. Sunday 12.00 p.m. to 2.00 p.m.
It’s so good to see local businesses collaborating and supporting each other. The Fallen Tree will also be hosting a pop-up gin lounge on the 12th of February between 6.00 p.m. and 8.00 p.m. which sounds rather good.
The inspiration for the Clevedon Distillery was the changing seasons on local coastal paths, gardens, woodlands and beaches and when they launched on Saturday 17th April 2021, they did so with their signature Pier Gin Classic, a London-dry gin. They went on to launch four seasonal small-batch gins which echo the botanicals found in and around Clevedon which are either foraged by themselves, grown by friends or sourced by local partners.
They have gone on to produce others, the latest being the Valentine Edition of The Pier Gin Series. It was born out of a public gin-making session which Nicholas was a part of. This dried strawberry, pink peppercorn and chilli edition is fast becoming a favourite of friends and family. Best served neat over ice for balance, with tonic to enhance the strawberry, the pink soda brings out the peppercorns. Apparently, it also makes a great Pink Martini.
This delicious-sounding gin was launched today at The Clevedon Sunday Market but it is also available to pre-order on the website in 20cl (medium) sizes, with large 70cl bottles available by direct request. For all you gin hounds out there, there is a gin-tasting session on this afternoon between 4.00 p.m. and 5.30 p.m. at the Fallen Tree. It’s the chance to sample four Valentine-inspired gins, unusual mixers and alternative garnishes.
It’s worth keeping an eye on the Clevedon Distillery website here’s the link because not having a physical presence will be no barrier to Nicholas and Lukasz’s hosting their public gin-tasting classes. Such is their popularity, I am sure they will not be short of venues.
They have different gin tastings every four to six weeks, where you join a group of up to 12 people and taste four spirits over approximately ninety minutes. The session is £26 per person and includes a 10% discount on the night for your new favourite gin! It’s something you can also buy as a present with a bespoke gift card.
Private gin-tasting sessions are still on offer, although for the moment, these will be restricted to your home or garden. They are perfect for corporate events, birthday parties, hen and stag dos or simply a treat with friends. Sessions can be based around their regular sessions of ‘seasonal’, ‘regional’, ‘international’ or ‘surprise’ or you can suggest a theme.
In your own home… the guide price is £280* for up to eight people (extra people can be added for £26pp; max: 20 people). The cost includes a special alcohol licence (a Temporary Event Notice) and travel (additional mileage may incur if outside of the ‘Bristol’ area).
The other date for your diary is the 10th of March at Congars Cafe, Congresbury, where Nicholas and Lukasz will have a Spring gin-tasting session. They are also often at the Clevedon Sunday Market, EAT Festival and local and seasonal markets. Everything will be on the website which they are constantly updating.
Nicholas and Lukasz continue to make bespoke gin for individuals, hospitality and business. With a few clients under their belt already, they work differently to other ‘white label’ makers. They always visit the client and, where possible, take inspiration from, or even better, forage, from, the locality to create a gin that evokes a specific place or feeling. From creating a ‘Ruby’ wedding anniversary gin to one for spas and hotels in the Cotswolds, they bring their locally inspired, globally conscious approach to everything they do no matter how small or large the commission.
And finally, I mustn’t forget the relaunch of the Ginspired Members Club. Once they find and get settled, into their new home, they will be relaunching it with a soft opening for all Ginspired members. If you are interested in becoming one, there are two types of annual membership to choose from: : Tippler and Ginolic, with joining evenings in January, April, July and October. If you are interested, please email mailto:hello@clevedondistillery.com
Nicholas and Lukasz have established such a fabulous business, their passion to keep everything from botanicals to bottles as local as possible and their commitment to sourcing as much as they can from the southwest is so impressive. Their intention to use 100% renewable energy; electric transportation and make use of completely recycled, biodegradable, organic materials is wonderful.
I’m sure these two will be missed on Old Street but I’m equally sure that whether they make their new home they will be welcomed as the kind, entrepreneurial, responsible individuals that they have shown themselves to be.
All the best for the future.