Women In Business

The woman behind the spirit

We’re continuing our new Women in Business series with Lorita Cornish, founder of Decanter Spirit in Bromsgrove High Street. Lorita, who originally hails from Latvia, is now a familiar face in the town centre due to her thriving drinks business and the business she ran previously, Lorita’s Bakehouse. After a career in the corporate world and taking time out of the working environment to bring up her first child, Lorita set up the bakehouse in 2014 due to her love of baking and soon learned that Bromsgrove wanted more than just great cakes.

Lorita expanded the French-style patisserie into a café but was always on the lookout for new business opportunities. In September 2016 she opened the doors to Decanter Spirit then decided to sell the popular bakehouse in summer 2017 to concentrate on her new business. The café has remained under the name of 60 Degrees.

Lorita, who is ably assisted by Liga Zaharenko, recalled: “My vision was always to be a drinks specialist stocking a range of wines, spirits and ales sourced from small independent UK producers.

“I was able to offer a personal tasting service for these niche products that you couldn’t buy in supermarkets or larger chain stores.

“Once I was able to establish clients’ requirements, I could organically grow the business and host tasting evenings and cocktail masterclasses. “As the premises had some wasted space, I saw an opportunity to introduce a cocktail bar, which opened in January 2018.”

The bar is open until 10pm on Friday and Saturday and is also available to book for private events.

Lorita, who has been featured in The Sunday Times and The Times, produces home-made flavoured vodkas and is always coming up with new cocktail ideas. She believes that rum is the next spirit trend so watch this space…

Decanter Spirit is proud to support small producers in Worcestershire and the surrounding counties including Hussingtree Gin, Pistons Gin, Hubbards Gin, Woodcote Manor Beer, The Hop Shed Brewery Beer and Teme Valley Beer.

Located at 49 High Street, Decanter Spirit is open from 9.30am to 5.30pm from Monday to Thursday and from 9.30am to 10pm on Friday and Saturday. For more details of forthcoming events, visit www.decanterspirit.co.uk, follow @ decanterspirit on Instagram or the Decanter Spirit page on Facebook.

Lorita also offers a Mobile Decanter outside bar, grazing platter and events services.