Award-winning North Yorkshire gin distillery creates jobs in seven-figure expansion

The dream of an award-winning Yorkshire gin-maker to move into brand-new premises in the shadow of Whitby Abbey is now becoming a reality.

Work is beginning this autumn on Whitby Distillery’s £1.8m project to renovate two derelict barns on Abbey Lands on the south-west corner of the Abbey grounds. The build programme, which has been partly funded by the Whitby Distillers Founders Club, is scheduled to be completed by the end of next year.

It will feature a unique pathway, engraved with the names of friends and supporters of the distillery. Whitby Distillery, makers of Whitby Gin, was founded in 2017 by Jessica Slater and Luke Pentith who have grown their business from a passion project to one whose gin is stocked in more than 500 outlets across the UK.

The move will enable the distillery to become “one of the most iconic” distillery visitor experiences in England, providing high-quality leisure and function space for the local community to enjoy.

Luke Pentith commented: “This move is a game changer for us. Whilst we have been very happy in our current premises in Botany Way in Whitby, our new home will take Whitby Distillery to the next level, stepping up production and giving visitors the opportunity to see us distilling and bottling through the week with our tour experiences.

“It is an honour and a privilege to be restoring these derelict buildings on such a world-famous site. For us, this is all about launching an amazing adventure on the atmospheric North Sea coastline, with tremendous knock-on effects for the local economy,” said Luke.

As part of the project, Whitby Distillery is giving people the opportunity to set their family’s name in history and to celebrate the life of a loved one for future generations. This initiative was launched last month and already over 200 places have been sold.

Jessica Slater explained: “Our new distillery is a serious commitment to Whitby. We are making a significant investment into the local community and the future of the town. In the longer term, we anticipate up to 25 employees.

“As well as the distillery, our plans include a visitor centre, which will showcase our production process and our various spirits, as well as paying homage to the amazing cultural heritage of Whitby and providing an educational and corporate business space.

“Whitby Distillery aims to offer an educational and enchanting visitor experience which can be accessed all year round, as an out-of-season and wet weather destination. The visitor experience venue and exhibition/hire space build on the strong links Whitby distillery has with the adjacent English Heritage attraction.”

By Matthew Neville – Senior Correspondent, Bdaily

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