New research from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) suggests that distilleries were the most popular start-up business idea among British entrepreneurs last year.
According to the Revenue’s data, as many as 49 new distilleries were set up in Britain last year, as start-ups moved to take advantage of the nation’s renewed interest in craft spirits and cocktails.
The figures suggest that there are currently 315 distilleries operating in the UK – more than double the number in existence just five years ago.
Miles Beale, Chief Executive of the Wine and Spirit Trade Association, said that the industry received somewhat of a boost when the Chancellor, Philip Hammond, froze spirits duty in the 2017 Autumn Budget.
He added that spirits and cocktails were growing increasingly popular in recent years – and that distilleries had begun diversifying their offerings in a bid to meet rising demand.
“Gin is the key driver behind the surge in new distillery openings in the UK in the last five years,” he said.
“New gin brands continue to pop up on our supermarket shelves on a regular basis, as Brits show no sign of tiring of the quintessentially British spirit.
“It wasn’t that many years ago when a pub would stock one gin brand and now a gin menu offering a range of gins and mixers is commonplace in our pubs and bars,” he added.
“It is welcome news that another 49 new distilleries opened in the UK last year bringing new jobs to the British spirit industry and helping boost Britain’s export potential.”