Duo of gin and whisky entrepreneurs to start distilling following £75k funding boost

A former architect and doctor have secured £75k funding package to help create a craft whisky and gin distilling business in Yorkshire.

Chris Jaume and his fiancé Abbie Neilson will use a the NatWest funding to support the installation of a 900-litre copper still at their self-built distillery in Sutton-on-the-Forest.

Cooper King Distillery specialises in the production of craft gins and whiskies created with quality and where possible locally sourced ingredients and botanicals,.

The arrival of the copper still marks the end of four years of business planning and will enable distilling to begin on site.

The first batch of Cooper King Gin will be available in May, and the first whiskies as early as 2022, following a four-year aging process.

Products will be sold online and at the distillery, as well as several independent Yorkshire retailers.

In addition to funding from NatWest, Cooper King has generated a further £65k of finance through its Founders Club, crowd funding initiative.

The business has just employed its first full time staff member and hopes to create at least two further jobs within the next six months.

Chris said: “Over the last four years, Abbie and I have been busy building the foundations for the distillery and now with this funding from NatWest we are able to complete the final piece of the puzzle.

“Britain is undergoing a boom in craft brewing, with people beginning to care more where the spirits they drink come from. Cooper King will be at the heart of this revolution here in Yorkshire and we can’t wait to take our products to market.”

Simon Winterburn, relationship manager at NatWest, added: “Chris and Abbie are extremely passionate about what they do. They have created a unique business, which places quality of craft produce at its heart. We wish them the best of luck in their venture.”