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Exclusive deal: Gin bar to feature Newcastle's only working still

North East leisure company Vaulkhard Group has partnered with Durham Distillery in an exclusive deal, which will see Newcastle’s only working gin still feature in one of its city centre bars.

The new formation, called The Newcastle Gin Company, allows for the 400 litre custom-built copper gin still to be installed in the refurbished bar that was previously sports pub, Fluid Bar and Kitchen.

Set behind bullet proof glass, the 8ft still will be a fully functioning feature on the ground floor of the multi-storey venue which is due to open in September following a £590k refurbishment.

While city centre bars have gained much media exposure lately for establishing gin-only bars, director of Vaulkhard Group and The Newcastle Gin Company, Harry Vaulkhard, believes that this concept will be something the city hasn’t experienced before.

“The idea was always in the pipeline when we formed Vaulkhard Group earlier this year as distilling gin has been a hobby of mine for quite some time,” he said.

“To be able to distil on-site within a bar is pretty revolutionary as opposed to simply diffusing gin. The vision for the new bar has grown naturally and we wanted to create something a bit different to offer customers as well as providing a sociable experience with an unusual talking point.”

As well as producing The Newcastle Gin Company’s signature gin, the on-site distillery will offer guests a chance learn about distilling and creating their own unique gin with specialist master class experiences.

“Although it has never gone out of fashion,” Harry continued, “Gin is re-emerging as a social drink of choice so we wanted to provide an experience for our customers.

“Along with the contemporary new layout and design, the bar offerings will be unlike anything else in the North East.”

The Newcastle Gin Company has ensured the venue incorporated a specially constructed bonded warehouse in the basement for the back of house distillery and has utilised the expert advice and experience from managing director of Durham Distillery, Jon Chadwick.

Jon Chadwick said: “It has been a wonderful opportunity for us to collaborate with such a well-established leisure group within the North East on this exciting venture.

“Small-batch craft spirits have slowly been moving from the niche to the mainstream and are becoming regarded as a premium offering within the leisure market and gin particularly is currently undergoing a significant renaissance.

“An on-site working gin still within the bar will deliver a unique and high-quality experience.”

While Vaulkhard Group reveals that a wide variety of food, local guest ales, high-end wines and cocktails will also be on offer, it is keeping the design of the bar under wraps until its official launch in September promising only that it will ‘honour the history’ of Gallowgate.

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