RUM EXPANSION FOR STRATFORD-UPON-AVON DISTILLERY

Shakespeare Distillery has opened a new experience space in Stratfordupon-Avon which it says will create an additional six jobs.

The independent spirit producer has taken a long-term lease at No 1 High Street in the town, which houses a retail shop on the ground floor.

Shakespeare Distillery first opened on the high street as a pop-up shop but has now converted two floors above the retail premises into a rum school and tasting room named ‘Judith’s’.

No 1 High Street was once home to Judith Shakespeare, William Shakespeare’s daughter.

The expansion builds on the success of its distillery tours and gin school at Drayton Manor Drive.

Peter Monks, Director at Shakespeare Distillery said “Stratford-upon-Avon is once again a busy and vibrant town after the pandemic and presents the perfect opportunity for us to expand our business. Having a tasting room in town will make it easier for our customers to try our products.

“We look forward to starting an exciting new chapter, not only for the distillery but for this historic building.”

Shakespeare Distillery has been distilling gin for the last six years and began distilling its own brand of British rum last year, as the demand for rum rises.

Shakespeare Distillery is one of a small handful of UK distilleries to create rum on site and there are only a small number of rum schools in the UK.

Triple award success for Leamington family business Kidvelo Bikes

An enterprising husband and wife from Leamington who both walked away from their successful careers to set up balance bike business Kidvelo Bikes are celebrating their latest triple national awards success.

Kidvelo Bikes, run by Karen and Gary Wood was named the winner at the 2022 British Business Awards in the Start-Up Category as well as scooping Gold for the Best Balance Bike in the Made for Mums 2022 Toy Awards and Best Bike in the Organic Baby Awards.

Kidvelo specialises in manufacturing top-quality, but affordable, balance bikes designed to help children learn to ride, from their base in Warwick Street’s Chandos Business Centre.

Launched last year, the founders set out to improve the performance and quality of children’s bikes and make them available to parents at affordable pricing, using their combined 40 years of knowledge gained from specialist balance bike distribution, teaching thousands of kids to ride and hosting balance bike racing.

Lingerie retailer Bravissimo agrees deal for new o ce

Leading lingerie retailer Bravissimo has agreed a 10-year deal to lease new office space on a Midlands development.

The deal is one of a pair concluded by commercial property specialist Bromwich Hardy for the Tachbrook Park site at Leamington Spa.

Bravissimo, which is based in Leamington Spa and employs some 600 people, has agreed to sub-let 14,500 sq ft of office space at 1 Athena Drive from Co-operative Energy Limited, which closed and vacated the property in May 2019.

Meanwhile the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS) has also agreed a 10l-year lease for 7,600 sq ft of space at neighbouring 2 Athena Drive.