Groundworks have started on a purpose-built five-acre site in Rugby which will become home to one of the UK’s biggest players in the alcohol industry.

Alcohols Limited, part of the family-owned Palmer Group which creates the core alcohol for over 75% of Britain’s artisan gins, is relocating its operations to a plot near Europark on Watling Street (the A5), north-east of Rugby.

The £6 million site will house staff from the company’s head office in Bishop’s Stortford, which will close when the Rugby hub opens in 2023, as well as workers from its Langley Distillery in Oldbury, near Birmingham and its storage and distribution facility in London.

The Oldbury facility will remain open and, as part of the company’s expansion plans, welcome a new interactive visitor centre to promote the history of gin and to highlight its considerable heritage.

The move will see the company grow its workforce of 65, but it’s not yet clear how many new jobs will be created for people in and around Rugby.

Adam Wallis, Alcohols’ Managing Director, said: “Our current operating sites have no capacity for expansion and are severely restricting the growth of the business.”

“They are in locations, which were once rural, but are now surrounded by housing developments. The new Rugby site provides scope for environmentally sensitive future development.”

“The new site will bring significant manufacturing capability and allow the business to grow and prosper.”

“The excellent transport connections, train and road with A14/M1/M6 are an added benefit for moving to the region.”

Rugby MP Mark Pawsey met with Mr Wallis during a recent site visit.

“When the new facility opens in 2023 it will be a great asset for Rugby, strengthening the town’s economy and providing further job opportunities for local people,” the Conservative politician said.

The Palmer Group is one of the largest, privately owned gin distillery and fine alcohol products businesses in the UK.

Alcohols Ltd, its leading subsidiary, produces, stores and distributes fine alcohols, chemical solvents and hydrocarbon products to a wide range of business sectors.

These include labelling; food packaging; personal care such as hand sanitisers, perfumes, colognes and cosmetics; pharmaceuticals and automotive products.

The company says its move to Rugby marks an important milestone in its growth and that the new site will deliver ‘important efficiency gains’ by consolidating the business on a single site.

The new base will allow for new services, such as an on-site laboratory, bespoke storage facilities for chemicals, beverage products and finished goods, as well as new offices and technical support facilities.

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