‘Ginstronomy’ restaurant and more flavours - Norwich gin distillery’s £175,000 crowdfunder for bold growth bid
The Bullards team at Crystal House on Cattle Market Street: Head brewer Hamish Cross, far left, John Bullard, third from left, and Russell Evans, centre. Picture: Heist Films. - Credit: Brown and Co
A Norwich gin distillery has launched a £175,000 crowdfunder to quadruple its output and support its bold growth plans - which will include a 'ginstronomy' restaurant.
Bullards is on the hunt for 'ginvestors' as it embarks on its new chapter, which will see it move from its current home at the Ten Bells, on St Benedicts Street, to Crystal House, on Cattle Market Street.
It will house their new distillery, as well as tours, tastings and, eventually, a bar and ginstronomy restaurant, which will see food themed around, matched with and even made with gin.
The crowdfunder was launched at an event at Carrow Road on Monday, and secured more than £7,000 from 32 supporters in its first 24 hours.
Cofounder Russell Evans said the initial reactions had been 'really encouraging'.
The funds will be invested in the renovation of the Grade II listed Crystal House and quadrupling of Bullards' current 150-litre still to a 600-litre one, which will enable it to expand its current range of three gins.
MORE: New brewery will see Norwich's Bullards brew under its own name for first time in 50 years
Most Read
- 1 Riverside pub undergoes £80k refurb in time for summer
- 2 City burger joint takes beef off the menu
- 3 Michael McIntyre and Robert Rinder spotted at Carrow Road
- 4 Norwich man charged with kidnap after posing as a taxi driver
- 5 Single mum resorts to sleeping in her car due to 'unlivable' flat
- 6 Your chance to meet The Bill star who has moved to Norfolk
- 7 Major changes coming to the sale of domestic fuels
- 8 11 reasons why Norwich is the best city
- 9 Eleventh McDonald's drive-thru could be set for Norwich
- 10 Watch: A handful of protesters gather as City thumped on last day of season
Mr Evans said: 'The dream is to turn our new distillery into much more than just a place to bottle our gin. We want it to return the building to Norwich residents as well as attract new visitors to the city, offering tours, tastings, a shop and a ginstronomy bar and restaurant.
'Support pledged through the crowdfunder is going to help to turn this dream into reality.'
Rewards will be available for those who donate, including, for £50, a first taste of its new Old Tom flavour, inspired by the smokey chimney of the old Anchor Brewery, where the business began.
Other rewards include the chance to create and bottle a personalised gin, lunch in the Norwich City players' canteen, a chance to host a VIP box for 10 at Carrow Road and gin gifts including hampers and t-shirts.
The crowdfunder was launched at a Barclays Business Club event at Carrow Road. Bullards is the official gin partner for the club.
Mr Evans said: 'Reactions from guests at the event are really encouraging – our campaign seems to really resonate with those who live and work in Norfolk, and the early pledges of support show that they are keen to help us to achieve it which is exactly what we want.'
• For more information and to donate, click here.