Wetherspoon’s lists craft gin from Manchester-based distillery Didsbury

Pub giant JD Wetherspoon is adding more UK drinks labels to its menu ahead of the country’s break with the European Union, and has struck a deal with Manchester-based craft distillery Didsbury Gin for its premium spirits range.

Didsbury’s founders and Dragon’s Den contestants Liam Manton and Mark Smallwood (Photo: Didsbury Gin)

The deal, which will see Didsbury’s raspberry and Elderflower pink gin offered in 775 Wetherspoon’s pubs across the UK, will give the distiller exposure to the pub chain’s two million weekly patrons.

Didsbury’s pink gin will be stocked in all of JD Wetherspoon’s Pubs from 6 March.

“It’s great to see Wetherspoon’s championing new young British businesses and showing the same belief and passion for our products as we do, this will be a great partnership,” Manton said. “They have been very supportive throughout the procurement process and we are thrilled to be working with them on such a large scale.”

The team at Didsbury Gin were originally approached by Wetherspoons to take part in their gin festival, which is currently running at selected sites across Britain.

The deal comes soon after Didsbury Gin’s appearance on hit BBC Two show Dragons’ Den, where founders Liam Manton and Mark Smallwood formed a partnership with Jenny Campbell in a £75,000 deal.

Co-founder Smallwood added that the pair “have been working hard behind the scenes since the show was recorded last April to put some great deals into place.”

The boss of UK pub chain JD Wetherspoon, Tim Martin, an outspoken supporter of Brexit, recently removed all European wines and beers from its 900 pubs in favour of bottles from the UK, US, Australia and Chile.